Students, seniors live side-by-side at this Kelowna care home

During the pandemic, a long-term care facility opened in Glenmore with a unique addition to its care system.

On the lower floors of The Vineyards Residence, the designers built four low-cost dormitories for post-secondary students and offered them at an affordable rate barring the pupils contribute 10 hours of volunteer service to the residents of the home.

The design was at the heart of an initiative to spur intergenerational living and the benefits that come from it.

The first students to call the unique project home are Mike Marshall and Paul Anderson. The pair attend the Bachelor of Physics program at University of British Columbia Okanagan.

“At first I was worried we’d be more of an annoyance than anything else,” Marshall told Kelowna10. “But as we get to learn more about the folks and engage with them as people and learn about their lives and everything, it’s a blast. Everyone here is such a treat to be around.”

On the day Kelowna10 visited, Marshall and Anderson were in one of the common rooms leading a small group of residents in a rousing game of ladder ball.

It’s one of many activities they participate in, which can range from physical games like ladder ball and darts, all the way to baking.

The activity can also be as simple as sitting down one-on-one and speaking with the older folks, helping them with small issues or even just looking through a photo album with them.

“Now it’s something we look forward to, hanging out with all these people” Marshall said.

The initiative has already been positively impacting both the residents and the students.

Community relations manager, Jenelle Hynes, said having the students live and work at the facility is very enriching for the older residence, as they’re able to mingle with younger generations; the center really feels like its own thriving little community with the diversity in age.

For, Anderson, the experience has been very impactful.

“Once you start to get to know everybody, and when you start recognizing people, it becomes very fulfilling,” Anderson explained. “Especially when they come up to you afterwards and they pull you aside and tell you how much it means to them. Yeah, it’s a great feeling.”