Perley Health Launches Canada’s First Dementia-Friendly Childcare Centre

Perley Health has officially broken ground on Canada’s first dementia-friendly intergenerational childcare centre, located on its campus in Ottawa. The facility aims to foster connections among seniors, veterans, and children, promoting a sense of community and joy across generations. This innovative project is a collaboration with Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (AFCS) and is set to open in March 2026.

The new centre will serve as a vibrant space where children can interact with older adults, enriching the lives of both groups. Delphine Haslé, Executive Director of The Perley Health Foundation, emphasized the integration of daily interactions between residents and children, stating, “It’s really fully integrated. Where the children are going to be seen every day…everyone is going to benefit from this connection.”

Koshina Brotherton, a parent involved in the intergenerational program, shared how her son Apollo has thrived in this setting. “It was great socialization for Apollo. He got to interact with all the older folks, and it brought so much joy to their faces,” she remarked. Apollo has participated in the program for two years, and Brotherton noted that the residents often reminisce about their own childhoods when engaging with the children.

The facility will not only provide a nurturing environment for 49 children but will also allow seniors to actively participate in the daily activities. According to Kim Hiscott, CEO and Executive Director of AFCS, seniors will have access to the space through pass cards, fostering deeper connections through shared meals and activities. “The children are going to have lunch in this communal dining room,” Hiscott explained.

The benefits of intergenerational programming have been a focus of research at Perley Health, which has served the Ottawa community for 128 years. The organization aims to enhance the well-being of its senior residents while empowering them to engage meaningfully with the younger generation.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, praised the initiative. He described the interactions between children and seniors as “magical,” highlighting the positive impact such connections can have on both groups. “It’s going to connect people from across the generations. It’s going to be really remarkable and special,” Sutcliffe said.

The childcare services will be part of a larger Canada-wide early learning and childcare program, with a cost of $10 per day. The intergenerational project has been in development since 2019, and its completion is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country.

As part of the fundraising efforts for this ambitious project, the Bridging Generations campaign has raised $1.2 million towards a goal of $2 million. Haslé expressed gratitude for the contributions made so far, emphasizing the importance of community support. “When those two know each other’s names, that’s what success is going to be and that’s what we’re creating here,” she stated.

This groundbreaking initiative not only addresses the need for childcare but also promotes a more inclusive and engaging environment for seniors, ensuring that children and older adults can learn from and enrich each other’s lives.