Emmy Award for TV series featuring Prince of Wales' geriatrician

The Sydney-based television series Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds has won a coveted Emmy Award. Dr Stephanie Ward, from Prince of Wales Hospital, is the expert geriatrician featured in the series, which aims to demonstrate the physical and mental benefits of bringing together the very young and very old.
 
The show, which aired on the ABC in 2019, took out the top prize for the Non-Scripted Entertainment Award, announced last week at a live ceremony in New York City.
 
“It has been amazing to be a part of a project that gave a voice to older adults and shone a light on the important social and health issues faced by many older Australians,” Dr Ward said.  
 
“It makes me so proud to see the importance of intergenerational contact acknowledged by the international television industry, as well as the community.”
 
Jennie Barry, General Manager, Prince of Wales Hospital, said she believed the international accolade was a District first.
 
“Congratulations to Stephanie, the show’s creators and participants for being recognised on the world stage. Aged care and rehabilitation is an important part of the care we provide to our community, and it is exciting that a television series that aims to improve the health of older people and keep them well has been well-received by mainstream media,” Ms Barry said. 
 
The program was the only Australian winner at the annual awards, which recognised outstanding screen content and storytellers from across 20 countries.
 
Stephanie is also part of a team of researchers which, in an Australian first, is creating and evaluating an intergenerational pre-school for older adults living in the community, to help improve the health of older Australians and young children.
 
“My experiences on the TV series and contributing to research have benefited the clinical work I do as part of the Prince of Wales Hospital Geriatric Outreach Service. It has been so rewarding to work with a team which has helped bring to life the positive impact of intergenerational connections in residential aged care facilities in our District,” Dr Ward said.

Image supplied by ABC TV’s Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds.