Chickens at Kapara aged-care home at Glenelg South helping residents with dementia

THE new residents of an aged care home in Glenelg South have quickly established themselves in the pecking order.

In a South Australian first, the ACH Group’s Kapara home has introduced HenPower, a program aimed at tackling social isolation and depression among people living with dementia.

Henny Penny, Chooky Looky, Chicken Licken and Priscilla have made themselves at home in Kapara’s memory support unit Rose Cottage since moving in two months ago.

The chooks appear to be relishing their role in the “creative ageing” program that mixes hen-keeping with arts activities and visits from local children for a weekly “intergenerational playgroup”.

The residents and kids make chicken-themed artworks together, while volunteers have also helped residents paint and knit pieces for the SALA festival.

Kapara senior manager Lyn Bertram says the residents love the chooks.

“For many of them, it brings back memories of their younger days, and they really enjoy handling them and petting them, feeding and looking after them,” she says.

“This program is about building relationships through hen-keeping and we are delighted by the positive outcomes it has already delivered.”

Resident Rhonda Fitzgerald, 92, says: “Aren’t they gorgeous? You just want to pick them up and cuddle them. The chickens have brought so much joy to us all.”

Charity Equal Arts launched HenPower in 2011 in the UK, where it is now used in more than 40 care homes.

HenPower manager Jos Forester-Melville says the program “gives people a role and responsibility with the hens” and is “a catalyst for building relationships and exploring creativity”.

“Bringing creativity into care is a fantastic way to engage people and aid communication, especially for those living with dementia,” she says.

The hens, coop and feed needed to establish the program at Kapara were donated by the PetStock business.

SOURCE: Tim Williams, The Advertiser

What a great idea... something that can benefit everyone and bring joy to those suffering from dementia and loneliness. And with the added benefit of free range eggs, its win win isnt it?

For a long time now studies have shown the calming influence the presence of a pet can bring, especially one that you can stroke and care for on a daily basis.