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Life in Long Term Care

Perley Health Launches Intergenerational Child Care Centre

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Perley Health – a blueprint for national transformation

Perley Health, Ottawa, ON 

Dementia Friendly Design Intergenerational Child Care Centre – there’s a set of words Canadians have never been able to put together until now. 

Long-term care homes are reimagining their spaces as vibrant community hubs, and with that, an incredible project is underway in Ottawa. 

Perley Health in Ottawa has partnered with Andrew Fleck Children’s Services to break ground on a first purpose-built program that will accommodate children, seniors, and Veterans in Canada. This isn’t the first long-term care home to have childcare on site, but it is the first to introduce a new curriculum. This intergenerational childcare centre will connect children and seniors through play, art, and music. Strengthening relationships between children and seniors offers significant cognitive, emotional, and social benefits for both age groups, including improved mental health, reduced ageism, enhanced empathy, and a greater sense of purpose. 
At Perley Health, intergenerational childcare will not be an occasional activity or a separate program; instead, it will become an integral part of daily life. Unlike traditional intergenerational initiatives that rely on scheduled events, our approach will embed children into the everyday routines of seniors and veterans, fostering spontaneous, meaningful interactions that will happen naturally and consistently. The intentional design will ensure that children and older adults will share space, time, and experiences in ways that will build genuine relationships. From morning greetings to shared meals and story time, these moments will become part of their daily rhythm.
At Perley Health, intergenerational childcare will not be an occasional activity or a separate program; instead, it will become an integral part of daily life. Unlike traditional intergenerational initiatives that rely on scheduled events, our approach will embed children into the everyday routines of seniors and veterans, fostering spontaneous, meaningful interactions that will happen naturally and consistently. The intentional design will ensure that children and older adults will share space, time, and experiences in ways that will build genuine relationships. From morning greetings to shared meals and story time, these moments will become part of their daily rhythm.
At Perley Health, intergenerational childcare will not be an occasional activity or a separate program; instead, it will become an integral part of daily life. Unlike traditional intergenerational initiatives that rely on scheduled events, our approach will embed children into the everyday routines of seniors and veterans, fostering spontaneous, meaningful interactions that will happen naturally and consistently. The intentional design will ensure that children and older adults will share space, time, and experiences in ways that will build genuine relationships. From morning greetings to shared meals and story time, these moments will become part of their daily rhythm.
At Perley Health, intergenerational childcare will not be an occasional activity or a separate program; instead, it will become an integral part of daily life. Unlike traditional intergenerational initiatives that rely on scheduled events, our approach will embed children into the everyday routines of seniors and veterans, fostering spontaneous, meaningful interactions that will happen naturally and consistently. The intentional design will ensure that children and older adults will share space, time, and experiences in ways that will build genuine relationships. From morning greetings to shared meals and story time, these moments will become part of their daily rhythm.

This purpose-built environment will not only bring generations together but also support long-term care staff who are often caregivers themselves.  

This initiative is more than a local innovation—it’s a blueprint for national transformation. As a living lab, Perley Health will also ground this initiative in evidence. Through their Centre of Excellence, they will measure outcomes such as reduced social isolation among seniors, increased empathy in children, and improved staff retention. These findings will be shared to inform broader policy and practice, helping shape the future of intergenerational care across Canada.

Long-term care homes still exploring solutions for their aging communities could benefit from a proof-of-concept developed by Perley Health – one that is designed to be replicated in homes across the country. Now is the time to lead with vision and ensure that long-term care homes become vital engines of community connection here in Ontario and across Canada.