UNBC Students and seniors living at the Gateway Lodge in Prince George are forging friendships thanks to an InterAge research project.
A demonstration was held today (Friday) at the lodge to showcase how both groups are able to connect with one another.
UNBC Professor, Dawn Hemingway told MyPGNow the whole process has opened up the line of communication between residents.
“Even though they live in this beautiful building they still don’t always connect and having a student here that is going around and meeting them to be able to talk about their life experiences and to share with the students and each other.”
.@UNBC Professor Dawn Hemingway speaks volumes of the new InterAge pilot project involving seniors at the Gateway Lodge #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/dr5wK3Rkxd
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 3, 2019
Rose Dorish a 92-year-old woman who lives at the Gateway Lodge has noticed a difference since people started participating in the program.
“It’s easier to talk when you are older than when you are younger because don’t have the wisdom that a 92-year-old would.”
“I felt this family getting know each other was a bit difficult at first but now I can talk to all of them one on one and we’ve bonded.”
The success of the pilot project last fall led to it progressing during the winter semester and into the 2019-20 school year.
The research project is the first of its kind in BC to help compile evidence-based results on intergenerational living.
A fellow senior at the Gateway Lodge talking about how the InterAge program with @UNBC has helped #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/fycQC5WtbW
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) May 3, 2019
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