Melbourne facility helping foster bonds between elderly and children

A new care facility is helping foster special bonds between older residents and children.

The "multi-generation" centre in Melbourne south-east brings together two different generations as part of Australia's first fully integrated, intergenerational healthcare precinct.

Young ones are matched with an elderly buddy for a variety of activities, including story time and nursery rhymes.

READ MORE: BOM to issue flood warnings under overhaul of response system

TLC Early Learning chief executive Lou Pascuzzi said the program had been in the making for nearly a decade and helped the young and old to thrive.

"Unfortunately 99 per cent of what is provided in aged care at the moment is still in that 40-year-old form," he said.

"We had to change things."

Older residents said spending time with their little mates gave them a renewed purpose and brightened their days.

"I love being with the children of course, you know, your own family grows up so quick," aged care resident Margaret said.

READ MORE: Margaret Gardner appointed as next governor of Victoria

Parents and early learning educators were also seeing the children form special bonds.

"It might be that grandparents live overseas or interstate. So they just don't have that connection with that next generation," TLC Healthcare general manager Helen Toohey said.

There is growing research into the benefits of people of differing ages spending quality time together.

"When you build a strong sense of community you build a sense of belonging," University of Melbourne Associate Professor Jane Page said.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.