The perspectives program: creating “connections beyond the years”

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Perspectives program is a unique collaborative undertaking where communication design students and people living in long-term care homes co-create ‘zines’ featuring the life stories of individuals living in care. A research project was undertaken to explore the effectiveness of the program as perceived by the people living in care, the staff who work with them, and design students. This was a qualitative study, using mixed qualitative methods. Two care homes in the Vancouver area participated, and 30 people living in care, 32 students, and 6 care home staff were involved. Data collection methods involved observation of Perspectives sessions, interviews with residents and staff, and student surveys. Four core themes resulted from the qualitative thematic analysis: The reciprocity of intergenerational exchange, the value of storytelling in building connections, the impact of connecting relationally, and the need for meaningful and empowering activities. Overall, the Perspectives program demonstrates the value of intergenerational engagement and connection, as well as the benefit of providing empowering activities for people living in care homes. The close relationships formed amongst the participants of different ages throughout the Perspective sessions highlights the importance of creating spaces where collaborative activities may occur, and where both young adult students and people living in care can be involved and connect together in the world around them.