Bent County Health Care Center: Bringing Together Their Day Care, Nursing Home, and the Community
By Kathryn Auchter

The evolution of the Intergenerational Program at the Bent County Health Care Center is a testament to the potential of Small Step Award grantees.  The Intergenerational Program unites elders within the nursing home and children from the day care to participate in group activities.  As both these facilities are located within the Health Care Center, Alisha Hall (program manager,) and Candi Patton, (coordinator,) were able to oversee the joining of these two groups to create a culturally enriching experience for both.  Although this program began within the Bent County Health Care Center, it didn’t stay there for long.

What began as a series of bi-monthly art classes, stationed within a conference room at the Health Care Center, quickly evolved into multicultural events with significant community out-reach.  The first expansion of this program began when the teacher for the bi-monthly art classes opened up her own café.  These classes were then able to move to a new space, where direct contact with community members was readily accessible. This art class and other events including joint field trips to the zoo, picnics in local parks, and visits to the reservoir sparked the development of the Intergenerational Program.  Although the initial events within this program were geared to be conversation starters between the elders and the children, the conversation grew to one that included the whole community. 

The Intergenerational Program now features a variety of multicultural events within the Bent County Health Care Center.  Multiple presentations have been given by community members regarding abroad experiences they have had.  These include Susan Kasza’s presentation on the United Kingdom and William Mendoza’s discussion about Paraguay.  Community members both within and outside of the Bent County Health Care Center attended these events.

The Intergenerational Program has reached out to the community in other ways as well.  In June, a two-day event that hosted a sleepover for local middle school students took place at the Health Care Center.  This event, entitled “Me and My Shadow,” paired middle school students with a member of the assisted living home.  Together, they participated in group activities including tie-dying and air hockey competitions.

Bent County Health Care Center is an excellent model for collaboration within their organization, and in conjunction with the larger community.  The dedication of Alisha and Candi has enabled the Intergenerational Program to make a difference in Bent County, and supports a dynamic community focusing on cultural exchange.