Van Nuys daycare offers unique intergenerational program

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Age is just a number at the ONEgeneration daycare facility in Van Nuys.

It's a place where senior citizens and young children are able to interact on a daily basis in a shared setting. They call it intergenerational.

"There are seven activities where we unite the older adults here and the children," said President and CEO Eva Goetz.

Many of the senior citizens who interact with the children at the daycare center suffer from Alzheimer's and dementia.

"This type of diversion, it refocuses them a little bit," Goetz said.

Bria Verdugo has her second child attending the daycare and says she is thrilled with the program.

"The children aren't afraid of seniors, they're not afraid of walkers or canes, or wheelchairs... And usually that's not the case," Verdugo said.

The two centers were already neighbors on Victory Boulevard, which made this idea of embracing intergenerational care a no-brainer.

Goetz says the nonprofit facility is helping to enrich the lives of not only the senior citizens, but the children as well.

"They're learning compassion, understanding, they touch the wrinkled hands," Goetz said. "They're taking these experiences to later on in life."

ONEgeneration is located at 17400 Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys. For more information, visit www.onegeneration.org.