Linking young and old institutionalized people

A proprietary nursing home for the elderly in the State of North Carolina succeeded in pairing itself for joint activities of residents with an institution for the young mentally retarded. The young and old residents of the two homes were thus enabled to help each other, and thereby to help themselves as well. For the nursing home residents, this program provided an opportunity to engage in respected volunteer work and to regain a meaningful role in the community. It is believed that indications drawn from this demonstration of interaction between a nursing home and a home for the mentally retarded can aid in farther planning of such arrangements and in identifying research needs and potentials. Although only relatively few of the mildly impaired elderly in the nursing home volunteered for the joint activity, the ripple effect of the project extended beyond the direct participants. Since residents of the two institutions alternated visits, nonparticipants had a chance to observe and even participate in the activities for short periods. Even those who chose not to participate at all shared in the enriched conversation that resulted from this experience. The project was obviously a source of satisfaction and pride to residents of the nursing home, and the activity was eagerly received by the mentally retarded youngsters. The program demonstrates that aged persons in nursing homes can be tapped as a resource for providing service to institutionalized mentally retarded children and that a mutually beneficial relationship between the two institutions can accompany such service. Many leads for worthwhile research emerge from this pilot project.