By
Diane Guthrie
Sitting around a table in the dining room at The Hampton in
Tumwater, Washington, preschoolers, their teachers, and
Alzheimer’s residents paint with watercolor. Rano, a student,
says, “Excuse me,” to get some attention. “Paint me a purple
horse,” Rano says to resident Sally D. Sally’s painting looks
very much like Rano’s. There are several brush stokes of
different colors of paint – no recognizable forms. Kara
Lawrence, the preschool assistant, paints a purple horse for
Rano.
Kristina Christenson, Preschool Supervisor, who has worked with
elderly residents of care facilities and preschool students,
says, “When they watercolor, they are of the same mind.”
Christene Fujiwara, Administrator of The Hampton Alzheimer’s
Special Care Center for the past five years, works to make the
facility more home-like. Like many other administrators, she
brings in pets. But as far as she knows, she is unique in
operating a preschool in a stand-alone Alzheimer’s unit. “We’re
ahead of our time,” Fujiwara says.
“The preschool doesn’t have to be a money maker,” she says.
“It’s here to give more life to the residents.” Conversely,
there are many benefits for the preschoolers. Children, who are
not always able to be around their grandparents or great
grandparents, can participate in The Hampton intergenerational
activities. The building has security in place to prevent
residents and students from exiting the facility without an
escort. A nurse is always on duty. Lots of eyes are on
residents, students and staff. When Fujiwara meets with family
members of both prospective students and residents she stresses
these benefits.
The mother of preschooler Brandon drives up to the outside of
The Hampton at 7:45 am. She enters four digits on a keypad to
electronically unlock the door of the facility. After Brandon’s
mom signs him in and says her goodbyes, he follows his teacher
out of the preschool room. “Hello Sally,” Brandon says to a
resident. He holds on to her walker as they walk together to
the dining room to get something to eat.
One joint activity between the residents and students is music
and games. Residents make a circle around the students. Songs
play from a boom box and the children move within the circle
singing and making motions to nursery rhymes like “Itsy Bitsy
Spider,” “Farmer in the Dell,” and “Hokey Pokey.” The preschool
teacher tells the students to be careful when they swing out too
close to the encircling residents.
Arlene R., a resident, follows the “Hokey Pokey” rhyme
instruction of “you put your left hand in” and sings along.
“They’re jumping up and down and they’re tickled pink,” says
Ruby C., another resident. Margaret T., a resident in her 80s
who looks 60, says, “I don’t do much with the children. I like
to watch them. I don’t even know how old I am.”
Both young and old need to expend energy. The Hampton has an
indoor and outdoor circular walking route. Alzheimer’s
sufferers find comfort in performing repetitive actions like
walking. Students benefit too. Lawrence holds a student’s hand
and quickly walks with him. “He likes to throw his fits so we
take a walk,” she says.
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