Evaluating the Impact of Intergenerational Activities on Elders' Engagement and Expressiveness Levels in Two Settings

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This study evaluated the impact of intergenerational activities on elders' engagement and expressiveness levels in two settings. Study 1 was conducted with 22 well elders at a senior center and approximately 15 children from a nearby grade school. Data were collected using a momentary time sampling procedure, and inter-observer reliability averaged 88% (ranging from 78% to 97%). Elders were significantly more engaged (t(85) = 4.60, p > .001) and expressive (t(85) = 5.55, p > .001) in the treatment condition than the control condition. Study 2 was conducted with 25 older adults diagnosed with dementia, living in a special care unit. Twenty-eight second-graders were in the experimental group and 32 second-graders were in the comparison group. A momentary time sampling procedure was used to observe engagement, expressiveness, and inappropriate behavior levels. Inter-observer agreement averaged 94% (ranged from 85% to 100%). Elders were significantly more engaged in the structured activities with children than the structured activities without children, and significantly more engaged in structured activities without children than the no-activity condition, F(l) = 60.1; p > .01. Elders were also significantly more expressive in structured activities with children than the structured activities without children, and significantly more expressive in the structured activities without children than the no-activity condition, F(1) =26.5; p = 01. Further, there was no significant increase in inappropriate behaviors between any condition, F(1) =.322; p = .57. The analysis of variance regarding children's attitudes towards the elderly showed no significant differences whether they did or did not participate in the intergen-erational activities (F3.5, p < .05), with both groups maintaining positive attitudes of elders. These results reflect the importance of offering intergenerational activities to well and institutionalized elders as well as to children.