practical living
Many programs take their cue from the
‘Dutch model’ of neighbourhood care.
Known as Buurtzorg, it is potentially saving
millions by enabling older citizens to live
more independently with less formal
support. The model encourages innovative
and entrepreneurial care approaches
to take seed; in one notable example, a
Dutch nursing home invites university
students to live rent free, all in exchange for
neighbourly good will.
The potential health, social and
psychological benefits of such programs
are noteworthy. A dual study by Linda
Fried found that seniors who interacted
with young people were quicker mentally
and on their feet, experiencing enhanced
executive function and fewer falls. Regular
involvement between the old and young
can also combat the scourge of loneliness
in older people, which is linked to mental
decline and an alarmingly greater risk of
mortality. A Japanese study found that
socialisation across generations increases
smiling and conversation.
While less work has been done on the
benefits for children, at least one study
suggests that kids who are around older
people are less likely to buy into ageist
stereotypes characterising the elderly
as incompetent.
The Kalyra/Montessori program will
supplement this evidence base, with a
partner research project led by Flinders
University to commence in October.
“The aim of the research will be to
measure the quality of life of the residents
and the psychosocial and cultural
outcomes of the co-location on both the
residents and the students,” says Wilby.
“We expect both to experience benefits.”
In many ways, the Montessori school
and Kalyra are a perfect match. Each
seeks to cultivate a community based on
the principle of respect and individual
autonomy, where people acquire skills
through exercising decision-making in a
range of real-world environments.
‘Practical Life’ is in fact one of Southern
Montessori’s five general curriculum areas.
Students partake in purposeful activities
with various members of society, learning
The opening of the Southern
Montessori middle school inside
Kalyra. Photo: Kalyra Woodcraft
to behave with respect, grace and integrity.
The approach aims to help students
acquire a sense of their place in the world,
while developing civic responsibility and
community consciousness.
“The intergenerational program provides
a context for this to evolve,” Browne
explains. “Southern Montessori already
combines year levels in cycles where
students can learn from older peers. This
is the same concept of the cycles that
we use, but on a much broader scale, the
“cycle of life’.” ■
2
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