Nebraska State Senator Anna Wishart wants to establish a grant program for intergenerational care facilities. She says funding would be available to nursing homes that develop child care facilities.
“It is a simple concept. Providing child care in a nursing facility and creating opportunities for shared activities between seniors and children,” Wishart says. The legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on LB 1178 this week.
Under the bill, nursing and assisted living facilities that are certified for Medicare or Medicaid would be eligible for grants of up to $100,000 to provide child care in their facilities.
The money could be used for structural updates, outside campus space, equipment and supplies. LB1178 would make a $300,000 one-time general fund appropriation to DHHS for the pilot program.
Wishart said incentivizing the co-location of senior long-term care and child care would benefit senior residents by providing vital social interactions, while at the same time improving children’s social and personal development.
She says the recent global pandemic led to significant isolation among seniors and highlighted the need for such programs.
(Photo: Nebraska Legislature )