The impact of an innovative intergenerational respite program on workforce development through attitude change in college student volunteers

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionTimeOut@UCLA is an intergenerational program that trains and mobilizes undergraduate college students to provide companionship to older adults with early stage Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The program goals are: (1) strengthen student interest and experience in geriatrics and gerontology; (2) reduce the isolation of frail older adults; and, (3) support family caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine program’s effect on students' knowledge and attitudes toward people with Alzheimer's disease.MethodsFollowing focused training (in‐person and via online module) on aging and dementia, college students volunteered twice a week for 10 weeks (60 hours) in the TimeOut@UCLA program. Each student was matched with a cognitively‐impaired older adult based on shared interests and fostered intergenerational relationship through conversation and structured activities. The Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS)1, a validated 20‐question, 170‐point scale validated tool and a self‐rated confidence survey in working with seniors were administered before and at the conclusion of the program.ResultsFifty‐three students participated in this study with 41 responded to the survey. The students experienced a significant (P < 0.001) increase (26 points) on the Dementia Attitude Scale following participation in the program. Moreover, 95% (39/41) of the students reported that the intergenerational program improved their ability to work with seniors.ConclusionMeaningful interactions with older adults within the TimeOut@UCLA intergenerational respite program increases college students’ positive attitudes towards, and reported ability to work with, persons with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. With the increasing numbers of persons with dementia, it is imperative to develop programs that reduce the stigma among young people of working with cognitively‐impairment older adults and to promote careers in geriatrics and gerontology.