Japanese nursing home in Kitakyushu recruits babies to cheer up seniors

Therefore, the family distributed flyers in the neighborhood and started recruiting babies on social media.

Starting with just one baby in 2021, the program has now grown to 32 toddler “employees,” most of whom come from families in the area, Gondo said. .

And it is a huge success among the residents. She added that while many people smile just by looking at their babies from a distance, others in wheelchairs lean over to interact with their children.

“Even people who don’t talk much, don’t smile much, and don’t move much will instantly brighten their faces when they see a baby,” says Gondo.

Visits not only help combat the popular image of nursing homes as depressing and lonely places, but also have the therapeutic effect of providing residents with a much-needed source of social interaction. She said there is.

Babies who visit frequently can develop close relationships with residents, Gondo added.

“I hope that when (the children) start attending elementary or middle school, they will always feel at home at this center,” she said.