Spending Moore
time together

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Pierina Martino attends the adult day program at the Immaculate Mary Home five days a week and especially enjoys one particular day a month.
The 81-year-old from Rhawnhurst loves when the children from the autistic support class at J. Hampton Moore School pay a visit to the nursing home.
"They’re very good. They understand everything," she said. "I love children."
Al Martino, her son, worked with Brooke Keats to develop the intergenerational partnership.
Martino is the autistic support teacher at Moore, located at Summerdale and Tyson avenues. Keats is director of the adult day program at the Immaculate Mary Home, a division of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Catholic Health Care Services at 2990 Holme Ave.
Martino and Keats agreed that it would be beneficial for both the students and their elders to interact, especially for the children who don’t get to see their grandparents much and for the senior citizens who don’t see their grandchildren too often.
The youngsters have trouble communicating, as do many of the older folks, some of whom have dementia. The other trait they share is a gentle disposition.
"Their personalities are ideal for each other," Martino said.
Last week, the children made their third trip to the nursing home. On their first two trips, they created artwork in the form of penguins and a fish tank motif.
The third visit was originally scheduled for Valentine’s Day but was shelved when snow shut down schools that day. It was rescheduled for a week later, and the children were delighted.
"We do activities," said Dan, a 9-year-old fourth-grader.
Keon Threadgill, a 10-year-old fifth-grader, enjoys spending time with the older crowd. He often interacts with Pierina Martino, whom he affectionately calls "Mr. M’s mom."
Keon and the other kids last week made artwork while thinking of their reward at the end of the two-hour visit.
"We’re going to have a pizza party," he said.
The old and young colored pictures, cut them and glued them on brown lunch bags to make puppets.
"I like the puppets," said Angela McDonald, an 8-year-old second-grader.
Keats, the nursing home employee, explained that the adult day program offers elderly people who live in the community a chance to socialize.
When the senior citizens visit, they have the opportunity to attend Mass, exercise, play games and make arts and crafts. On Feb. 21, the day of the visit, some took part in Ash Wednesday services.
Live entertainers sometimes perform, animals are brought in as part of a pet therapy program and there are occasional parties.
The seniors were watching a rerun of Frasier when the kids arrived but soon joined the youngsters in the coloring activity.
"They just love it when the children come," Keats said. "They love interacting with the kids. Some of their grandchildren are older — in their thirties and forties — so now it’s back to being with kids for them."
The seniors backed up her comments.
"They’re very nice children. It brings back part of school and things like that," said Mary Martucci, an 81-year-old from Mayfair.
Added Rita Pizzuti, an 82-year-old from Rhawnhurst: "It’s fun. I like watching them. Some are shy, but some ask questions."
Martino, the teacher, said he takes the students somewhere every Wednesday. The trips rotate among the Immaculate Mary Home, Super Fresh, the Franklin Mills mall and a bowling alley.
Each of the trips is meant to be educational and therapeutic and to build life skills.
For instance, they buy food at the stores, cook it at school and clean up after themselves. In an upcoming trip to the nursing home, the children will dye Easter eggs with the seniors.
Speaking for the students, Martino said the nursing home is their favorite stop.
"It’s all the kids talk about," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com