It's smiles from walking frames to chairs when a group of youngsters from Kindilan Childcare Services weekly walk through the doors of Estia Health Tuncurry.
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Part of the childcare agency's Beyond the Gate program, up to 10 littlies, accompanied by two educators,walk around the corner to the aged care facility to spend quality time with the residents.
The program initially began with 28 students, Kindilan co-director Leanne James said.
But, that many students was too taxing on the residents, she said.
During the visit the children and residents share in a variety of planned activities such as singing, dancing, craft, lunch, storytelling, cooking or just visiting.
"It has become a lovely relationship between the nursing home residents and the children," co-director, Di Miller said.
"Everyone gets involved and they are so welcoming to the children."
Some children don't have regular access to a grandparent, so it's nice for them to meet the older residents, Di said.
The regular interaction between the generations has resulted in a range of benefits for both the youngsters and nursing home residents.
"(Apparently) residents get a week of benefits from our visits; their appetites increase, their whole demeanour improves.
"They look forward to seeing the children.
"And, the children get to interact and engage in activities they would not normally do and learn about relationships, caring and conversation."
According to connect ABILITY Australia inter-generational play groups could be an underrated solution to manage Australia's ageing population.
Combining care for children and the elderly has a range of benefits for both groups.
The elderly cherish spending quality time with children, and the bond between the two vulnerable groups could be more beneficial than we realise.
We live in a society where care of the young and the old is increasingly segregated, with very limited opportunity for the two age groups to interact.
These 'book-end generations' could become great resources for each other - all we need to do is put them together.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
