An Ottawa daycare linking children and seniors opens next year with dementia-friendly design and intergenerational activities.

An intergenerational daycare is set to open in Ottawa next year at Perley Health, linking children and seniors in a shared space designed with dementia-friendly features. The initiative, part of Andrew Fleck Children’s Services, aims to strengthen bonds between generations, with activities like storytelling and baking. It prioritizes staff and residents’ children, supporting workforce retention. Research will assess impacts on cognitive function, mood, and social development. The model, inspired by Toronto’s programs, uses the term “grandfriends” and could serve as a national blueprint for integrating child care and long-term care.