Four-year-old befriends 91-year-old resident with dementia

Despite nearly nine decades between them, a four-year-old boy and a 91-year-old man with dementia have struck up an unlikely friendship.

Stuart Gulliver is a resident at Acorn House Care Home in Nottingham and has a ‘new lease of life’ since Natalie Holmes introduced him to her son Daniel.

The pair meet every week to play toy cars and dominoes, and even go on day trips together.

Ms Holmes, a part-time Mencap worker told the Nottingham Post: “They have grown up together. I know it sounds silly because Stuart is older but they have grown to love each other.

"It's basically including Stuart in our day to day life. He has a board of all his friends and family and Stuart is on there."

She introduced Daniel to Mr Gulliver when he was 18-months-old, so he could learn from an older generation.

When Daniel first arrived at the home, Mr Gulliver (who has been diagnosed with dementia) spent the majority of his time alone. But according to care home staff, Daniel’s visits have brought Mr Gulliver ‘out of his shell’ and they have all witnessed a ‘heart-warming’ transformation.

Commenting on the visits, Mr Gulliver said: “I've always liked babies but never had one myself…He's a little devil at times but he's also very caring. At last we have got something to smile about.”

Acorn House Care Home is a purpose-built residential care property that also specialises in dementia care.

The home was rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in its latest inspection (February 2018).