Why you should read this article:

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To enhance your awareness of the benefits of intergenerational playgroups in care homes

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To better understand how to measure the outcomes of implementation research

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To acknowledge the need for guidance and national policies on implementing intergenerational playgroups

Background Intergenerational playgroups are a formalised way of bringing together older people and young children to ‘play and interact’. They can facilitate social interaction and reduce loneliness for older people living in care homes. Although interest in intergenerational playgroups is increasing, there is a lack of research into their implementation.

Aim To explore staff’s views on the implementation of intergenerational playgroups in care homes for older people.

Method A qualitative method was adopted. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken with ten members of staff working in four care homes in a range of roles.

Findings Participants considered intergenerational playgroups to be low-cost interventions with benefits for residents, children, parents or carers and the community. However, there did not appear to be a standardised format or guidance for implementing and delivering the intervention and participants felt that they received little support from colleagues or from executive leadership teams.

Conclusion To support the effective implementation and the sustainability of intergenerational playgroups in care homes, there is a need to educate care home staff about their benefits and to develop guidance and national policies.