CHILDREN are going into care homes and helping dementia sufferers feel part of the community.

Westcliff childminder Maria Atkinson, 43, of Westminster Drive, has worked with children her whole life and in October last year began taking the youngsters she looks after into a home.

The effect she has seen, in both the children and the residents of Admiral Court Care Home, in Manchester Drive, Leigh, has encouraged her to visit more regularly than the initial once a month.

Having taken the idea from an article emailed to her about childminders doing similar things in America, it was not surprising that, after contacting several care homes in south Essex, she decided to visit Admiral Court, whose lifestyles team leader, Sarah Savidge is an American former childminder.

Maria said: “Admiral Court was the most exciting response I got.

“Sarah’s mum and dad used to run a nursery and she used to be a childminder so she could see how it could work and was absolutely delighted to let us visit.

“It’s fantastic to see the look on the residents’ faces when we come in now, some of them even cheer.

“Even though they have dementia some of them recognise the children and the children are getting to know them now and go straight over to them and start talking to them about whatever they were talking about the last time we were there.

“The parents of my children have been delighted with it, some of them don’t have grandparents so it gives them that sense of family, then some of the residents don’t have grandchildren so it works the same way for them.

“It is such a simple thing I think about it now and wonder why I never did it before.

“The children talk to the residents, play games with them, sing to them – I’ve even just got an allotment space to teach the kids about planting and Admiral Court have a plot at the same place.”

Maria initially brought the children, most of whom are pre-school age, but some of which are older, to the care home once a month but they are now invited to planned family events at Admiral Court.

They recently helped celebrate Chinese New Year with the residents and in June will be present as the home mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Sarah, lifestyles team leader at Admiral Court, said: “A dementia-friendly environment is family-friendly, a place where children visit and families share everyday experiences.

“Maria recognised that the children in her care needed to learn that residents living in a care setting should feel included and part of the community.

“A registered US Military childminder myself some twenty years ago, the idea was one I had wanted to have materialise at the home for quite some time.

“Moving into care should not mean stopping family life.

“Family involvement in everyday life can improve a person’s quality of life by giving familiarity and a sense of security, and help keep links with the past.

“Not only does Maria and the children’s involvement in our home provide great benefits to our residents’ well-being, their involvement in our home helps dispel misconceptions about life in residential care.

“The relationships forming between the children in her care and the residents in ours is priceless.

“Maria and the children have breathed new life into our home. We are all physically and emotionally lifted in spirits during and after their visits.

“A visible weight is lifted from residents living with dementia.

“Maria and the children bring joy, love and laughter to so many lives.”

TRIBUTES FROM PARENTS

Sophie O’Brien, mother to one-year-old Arianna: “I think we live in a country where we disregard our elderly, where they are seen as a hindrance once they become dependent on another be it through a slower lifestyle or an illness. We tuck them away, unseen when we should, in fact, be doing the opposite; respecting them for everything they've done for us and helping them continue to live a happy and fulfilled lifestyle. Maria bringing the children to the care home only goes to show how everybody, whether you're under one or over 100, needs a little love and attention to be happier. As a society, if we let it, age can be just a number and I'm very proud to have Ari be part of bringing happiness to those who deserve it, equally, as much as she does.”

Caron Robinson, mother of Ollie Robinson, one: “I thought it was a fantastic idea but after seeing and hearing how much the residents and the children get from it it's truly amazing, how much joy and happiness it brings to them is priceless.”

Carla Raven, mother of Olivia Halle, one: “The benefits for both residents and the children are so huge. The children learn respect, empathy, kindness and the care home residents are surrounded by children's laughter, innocence and the joy that they bring. What a fantastic concept that really warms the heart.”