Intergenerational Service-learning Program Research Articles

Qualitative Comparison of In-Person versus Virtual Versions of the Same Intergenerational Service-Learning Program During Covid-19

ABSTRACT During Covid-19, most in-person intergenerational service-learning programs were halted or transitioned to virtual formats due to social-distancing guidelines. This study qualitatively examined in-person and virtual versions of the Lives Well Lived program, which matches older adults (OAs) with undergraduate students to participate in a mutual interviewing, life review project. Post-test data from open-ended questions were analyzed to compare themes regarding program outcomes. Recognition of OA interindividual differences, intergenerational relationship’s value, and decreased fear of aging themes developed in both program versions but there were also differences. Participants in the virtual version regretted not engaging in person, did not mention altruism/empathy, expressed appreciation of peer relationships in addition to OA relationships, and disliked writing reflection papers. Recommendations are given for ensuring similar learning outcomes when engaging in virtual programming, whether due to COVID-19 or in additional situations to pandemics, such as rural settings, lack of transportation/mobility, or time limitations.

DEATH AND GRIEF IN INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING: EXPLORATIONS FROM THE FIELD

Abstract Intergenerational service-learning has been established as an effective pedagogical strategy for undergraduate gerontology education but can challenge students and instructors alike if an older adult participant dies during such a program. Currently, there is a lack of literature to provide guidance to instructors about how to address such an event. Examination of a case study of such an occurrence during the Lives Well Lived intergenerational service-learning program seeks to advance the field by describing an example of such an event and how an instructor might seek to address it. Grief literature, including theories such as Kübler-Ross’ stage model, Worden’s TEAR model, and Wortman and Silver’s approach, as well as Doka’s concept of disenfranchised grief are examined and applied to this challenging situation. Applying these theories as a framework, recommendations are given for addressing death and grief in service-learning including: (1) assessment of the course, instructor, student, and situation; (2) creating opportunities for grief processing and (3) resources for on and off campus grief and instructor support. Providing education on death, grief and grieving as integral course content and allowing student choice in how to proceed with the project should a death occur are key recommendations to consider. Implications call for more research related to this topic.

Getting AHeAD: Examining the Intergenerational Benefits of Participating in a College Service-Learning Program

ABSTRACT This study examined the validity of the contact hypothesis on changing student attitudes toward older adults as well as accessing the benefits of an ongoing intergenerational service-learning program for older adults. The model introduced in this research paired students from a large university in the southeast (mean age = 23) with older adults (mean age = 83) residing in an assisted living facility. A quasi-experimental pre- and posttest design employing the Perceptions of Aging and Elderly Inventory (PAEI) and the Elderly Patient Care Inventory (EPCI) indicated the program had significant positive effects on student attitudes toward aging as well as improving the likelihood of working with older adults. Qualitative accounts provided by students demonstrated a reduction in negative stereotypes and a greater understanding of and empathy for older adults. Comments from older adult participants indicated the stimulating experience improved overall quality of life by reducing boredom and loneliness, maintaining an important connection to the outside world, and serving as a welcomed exchange for keeping them young at heart.

Effectiveness of an Intergenerational Service-Learning Program to Change Attitudes on Aging

This study evaluated the efficacy of a 10-hour intergenerational service-learning program administered to undergraduates to determine if it would increase knowledge about aging, improve attitudes about older adults, and reduce ageism more than a course with less service-learning activity. Making maximum impact on students in these areas in a short amount of time is particularly relevant in short, quarter-based university programs. A quasi-experimental design using a convenience sample compared pre-test and post-test scores between an experimental intervention (N=68) and a comparison (N=71) group on The Facts on Aging Quiz Multiple Choice version, Aging Semantic Differential, and Fabroni Scale on Ageism. Qualitative data via open-ended survey questions was also collected. The experimental intervention, the Lives Well Lived project, was based on a documentary film by the same name, which incorporates themes of successful aging. During the project students and older adults interviewed one another about living a life well lived, participated in a photo shoot, and created a Memoir for the older adult. The comparison group included two social visits to a congregate meal program. Results from multiple regression analysis showed that students in the intervention group had less ageist stereotypes and less negative bias about aging at post-test and qualitative data indicated they were more inclined to participate in intergenerational relationships in the future. Programs like this one that are longer and more relational may be useful for consideration in undergraduate gerontology courses in reducing ageism and promoting intergenerational relationships which benefit those of all ages.

Comparative effectiveness of intergenerational service-learning programs on student outcomes of knowledge, attitude, and ageism

ABSTRACT Intergenerational service-learning for undergraduate students seeks to generate interest about the older adult population, while increasing knowledge and improving attitudes about aging and reducing ageism. It is difficult to make an impact on students’ views in a short time period, such as an academic quarter. This comparative effectiveness study evaluated the efficacy of a 10-week intergenerational service-learning program administered to Psychology of Aging undergraduates to determine if it increased knowledge about aging, improved attitudes about older adults, and reduced ageism more than a predominately didactic course with less service activity. A quasi-experimental design using a convenience sample compared pre- and posttest scores between the experimental intervention (n = 68) and comparison (n = 71) condition on The Facts on Aging Quiz Multiple Choice version, Aging Semantic Differential, and Fabroni Scale on Ageism. The experimental intervention, the Lives Well Lived program, matched students and older adults who met criteria for “successful aging,” in a mutual interviewing, life review project utilizing documentary film, photography, and creation of memoirs. Results determined that students in the experimental intervention showed less stereotypical beliefs and net bias about aging. Programs that are more relational, in-depth, more experiential and less didactic may be useful for consideration in undergraduate psychology or human service programs in reducing ageism and potential for increasing interest in careers in the field of aging.

The Perspective of Elderly Residents on an Intergenerational Service-Learning Project

ABSTRACT With our growing aging population, intergenerational service-learning has been on the rise in recent decades. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the effects of a brief, mutually constructed, intergenerational service-learning program on active older adults (i.e., those who reside independently within the community) of a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized residential apartment community in an underserved rural region of the U.S. Results indicated positive themes, consisting of feeling listened to, not invisible, and young. In addition, opportunities for life-long development, such as increased intergenerational understanding and generativity, were indicated.

Bridging the intergenerational gap: the outcomes of a student-initiated, longitudinal, inter-professional, inter-generational home visit program

BackgroundOlder persons consume disproportionately more healthcare resources than younger persons. Tri-Generational HomeCare (TriGen), a service-learning program, aims to reduce hospital admission rates amongst older patients with frequent admissions. The authors evaluated the educational and patient outcomes of TriGen.MethodsTeams consisting of healthcare undergraduates and secondary school (SS) students - performed fortnightly home visits to patients over 6 months. Self-administered scales were used to evaluate the educational outcomes in knowledge and attitudes towards the older people and nine domains of soft skills pre- and post-intervention. Patients’ reported satisfaction and clinical outcomes were also assessed.ResultsTwo hundred twenty-six healthcare undergraduates and 359 SS students participated in the program from 2015 to 2018. Response rates were 80.1 and 62.4% respectively. One hundred six patients participated in TriGen. There was a significant increase in Kogan’s Attitudes towards Old People Scale (KOP) scores for healthcare undergraduates and SS students with a mean increase of 12.8 (95%CI: 9.5–16.2, p < 0.001) and 8.3 (95%CI: 6.2–10.3, p < 0.001) respectively. There was a significant increase in Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz (PFAQ) score for SS students but not for healthcare undergraduates. Most volunteers reported that TriGen was beneficial across all nine domains assessed. There was also a significant decrease in hospital admission rates (p = 0.006) and emergency department visits (p = 0.004) during the 6-month period before and after the program. Fifty-one patients answered the patient feedback survey. Of this, more than 80% reported feeling less lonely and happier.ConclusionTriGen, a student-initiated, longitudinal, inter-generational service-learning program consisting of SS students and healthcare undergraduates can reduce ageism, develop soft skills, inculcate values amongst SS students and healthcare undergraduates. In addition, TriGen potentially reduces hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and loneliness amongst frequently admitted older patients.

Implementing an interdisciplinary intergenerational program using the Cyber Seniors® reverse mentoring model within higher education

ABSTRACTIntergenerational service-learning in higher education positively affects older adults and students, but little is known about the effectiveness of interdisciplinary, reverse mentoring programs that use technology as the medium of bringing generations together. This study describes an intergenerational service-learning program that utilizes reverse mentoring within higher education, the “Engaging Generations Program,” at a midsized public university in New England where students help older adults learn about technology, and students gain communication and teaching skills. In this article, we outline how the program was implemented, present quantitative data on participation outcomes for students and older adults and qualitative data from older adults, and discuss best practices. Analysis of pre/post surveys found that students’ attitudes toward aging improved (p < 0.01) and older adults interest in technology improved (p < 0.05) after program participation. Best practices identified included: multiple meetings with the same pair to deepen friendships, in-person training for student leaders, student responsibility for scheduling, tailoring sessions to each participant, student documentation of meetings, and active involvement by community partners.

Using Intergenerational Service Learning to Promote Positive Perceptions about Older Adults and Community Service in College Students

This research contributes to the evaluation of the Meaningful Connections program, an intergenerational service-learning program that brings college students and older adults together for small group discussions. Changes in student attitudes toward older adults and community service were examined using pre- and posttest data from the Aging Semantic Differential Scale and Community Service Attitudes Scale. Results indicated that attitudes toward older adults showed a significant positive change at posttest. No significant changes were witnessed for attitudes toward community service. These findings suggest that the Meaningful Connections program has a positive impact on student attitudes toward older adults.

A Co-mentoring Project: An Intergenerational Service-Learning Experience

Intergenerational service-learning between college students and older adults is a commonly used in educational gerontology. Service-learning is believed to enhance student learning through an equivalent focus on service and learning, reflection, and linking course content with the service experience. This article describes a comentoring project (CMP), an intergenerational service-learning program that links older adult volunteers and students enrolled in an undergraduate lifespan developmental psychology course. The researcher conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the project's impact on students, including a pre- and post-assessment using the Facts on Aging Quiz ([FAQ1]; Palmore, 1998), structured project evaluation feedback, and qualitative data analysis. Results indicated students were more knowledgeable about older adults after the service-learning experience. Consistent with previous service-learning literature, students often reported intrapersonal development and establishment of a deep relationship with their partners. Students admired their partners, felt inspired by them, and viewed them as rolemodels.

Intergenerational Service Learning: To Promote Active Aging, and Occupational Therapy Gerontology Practice

Americans are living longer, and the meaning of age has changed, particularly for Boomers and seniors. These demographic changes have economic and social ramifications with implications for health care, including rehabilitation services, and health science education. Service learning is an experiential learning pedagogy that integrates traditional higher education with structured active learning experiences. This article reports on one intergenerational service learning program spanning 3 years. It was designed to facilitate community dialogue on fall prevention and active aging, and to provide intergenerational educational community-based experiences in occupational therapy professional education. The program additionally sought to promote students' understanding of aging and issues related to aging in place, students' professional development and civic engagement, and to encourage students to consider pursuing a career in occupational therapy gerontology practice.

Effects of Intergenerational Interaction on Aging

The world population pyramid has changed shape. However, this does not mean that societies have changed their negative concept of old age. Our study proposes an intergenerational service-learning program with 179 university students and 101 slightly depressed elderly people. The results show that the elderly people who interacted improved in well-being. Those interacting with the young people tended to lower their stereotyped perception of themselves, while the others tended to augment it. The young people tended to moderate their stereotypes of the elderly with or without interaction.

A View from the Other Side

Research on the effects of intergenerational service-learning has more often focused on outcomes for students than on outcomes for elders served by those programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the effects of an intergenerational service-learning program on elders living in a small Midwestern community. Service-learning programs may be of particular value for rural-dwelling elders because of the paucity of health and human services in rural areas and the outmigration of the young to urban locations. University students were involved in friendly visiting, reminiscence, oral history, and recreational activities with 43 elders in four community settings: a congregate meal site, a semi-independent living setting, an assisted living setting, and a nursing home. Age of respondents ranged from 60 to 98, with most being in their 80s and 90s. Elders were asked to discuss positive and negative reactions to the service-learning, what students and elders had contributed to each other, and suggestions for improvement. Interviews were transcribed and major themes identified using the method of constant comparison (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Major themes that emerged from the content analysis were the benefits of personal interaction and companionship, increased intergenerational understanding, and being able to share life experiences. A large majority of elders thought the project should be continued. Suggestions included better advance preparation of students and elders and more attention to termination issues. Implications for further development of intergenerational programs are discussed.

Intergenerational Service-Learning Across Levels and Disciplines

Service-learning is increasingly becoming an avenue used in a variety of disciplines to provide students with real-life experience regarding aging and older adults. Developing and implementing meaningful service-learning experiences, however, requires consideration both of the discipline-specific content to be addressed, as well as the varied backgrounds (educational and personal) and levels (freshman to graduate) of the students who will be participating. Intergenerational service-learning is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Drawing on the experiences of intergenerational service-learning programs at three institutions (representing three disciplines-Gerontology, Nursing, and Occupational Therapy), this paper focuses on the discipline-specific challenges of building a quality intergenerational service-learning program, as well as the associated challenges of developing appropriate intergenerational service-learning experiences for a range of student levels with varied backgrounds.

The development of an intergenerational service-learning program at a nursing home.

The development of an intergenerational service-learning program at a nursing home.