Seniors’ model

By Lia Bichel
Four men in high care at the Endeavour Hills aged care facility have been creating model trains, airplanes, bird baths and other items in a special program facilitated by lifestyle worker Barry Silverstein.
Mr Silverstein said many of the men were handymen, engineers and carpenters when they were younger and by using the Bunnings model kits, they were tapping into old skills and building self-confidence.
Mr Silverstein said he sat with the men to plan how to create the model so they did not feel incapable.
“I have seen a lot of them get back their enthusiasm. They feel like they are doing something important when they build these models then give them to their own grandchildren or to young people at Christmas time,” he said.
“While it’s good for their self-esteem, it’s also good for tactile and sensory work. Some of the men would also be quite bored without something like this, it stimulates their mind.”
Mr Silverstein said many elderly men at the facility also took part in other men’s programs, including billiards and mini-golf.