It’s not every day your neighbours are 160 older people with dementia or age-related care needs, but for four health sciences students at the University of Sydney, it’s home.
They are enrolled in the Gold Soul Companionship program, which started last year at the Scalabrini Bexley care home in Sydney.
The four students live in the aged care home for free in exchange for volunteer hours, while exposing them to the realities of ageing, and the benefits of intergenerational friendship.
International studies have shown that students in the health professions often have negative attitudes towards older people, but this program gives students the opportunity to see a resident as a human first, and not as a patient or professional client.
Hannah, a second-year Physiotherapy student says, “It’s been amazing, just having the time and opportunity to interact with the residents and their families has been really rewarding. I’ve built a really strong friendship with Eva who only spoke Greek.”.
Scalabrini staff say, it’s been inspiring to see the special relationships formed between residents and students.
