Intergenerational Service-learning Project Research Articles

Implementing Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) Model into an Undergraduate Therapeutic Recreation Course

Studying aging is vital for therapeutic recreation students due to several compelling factors, like an increasing ag-ing population, prevalence of ageism in society, and ris-ing numbers of recreational therapists providing services to older adults. In addition to educating students about the aging process, faculty members have the opportunity to develop innovative approaches within the therapeu-tic recreation curriculum to highlight how older adults contribute positively to society. Additionally, recreational therapists involved in developing intergenerational pro-grams have a unique opportunity to facilitate positive connections between younger and older adults. This manuscript aimed to present how the Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) model was infused into an undergraduate therapeutic recre-ation course about aging and used to help design and im-plement two intergenerational service-learning projects.

Examining the Effect of Contactless Intergenerational Befriending Intervention on Social Isolation Among Older Adults and Students' Attitude Toward Companionship: Content Analysis.

Intergenerational friendship, a mechanism of social support, is an effective intervention to reduce the increasing risk of social isolation (SI) and develop companionship in the older adult population. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to examine the psychosocial intervention of befriending via technology use as a primary form of contactless socialization. The study aims to explore the effectiveness of the befriending intervention through a contactless, intergenerational service-learning project on older adult emotions, especially boredom and loneliness as the key attributes of SI, and on students' attitude toward companionship. During the months of January to April 2022 , undergraduate students enrolled in a health administration course with a special focus on culture were asked to be involved in a contactless, intergenerational service-learning project (n=46). In this study, contactless intervention meant communication using the telephone and apps such as FaceTime and Zoom. Students were paired with older adults to have at least a 30-minute weekly conversation, for 8 weeks, via telephone or an internet-based app such as FaceTime. Students were asked to write a half-page diary after each interaction and a 1-page reflection at the end of the fourth week and at the end of the service-learning project. At the completion of the project, the researchers also surveyed the older adults to assess the impact of the project using a 5-item open-ended questionnaire. Following a heuristic approach and content analysis, student artifacts (110,970 words; 118-page, single-spaced Microsoft Word document) and the older adult surveys were analyzed using MAXQDA, (VERBI GmbH). Qualitative data were extracted to assess the impact of service learning on SI by measuring the attributes of boredom and loneliness among 46 older adults. Students' attitudes toward companionship were also assessed using data from their diaries and reflections. Overall, three major constructs were identified: (1) meaningful engagement, defined as feeling safe, having increased confidence, and having reduced boredom; (2) internal motivation to participate in the weekly interaction, defined as discussion about daily life experience, level of happiness, and ability to exert personal control over the situation; and (3) intergenerational befriending, defined as perceived benefits from the friendly nature of the interaction, ability to comfortably connect with students, and positive feeling and attitude toward the student. The contactless, intergenerational befriending intervention reduced boredom and loneliness among older adults and enhanced positive attitude and confidence among university students. Students helped older adults to develop digital skills for the use of apps and social media. Older adults showed interest in the intervention and shared their daily life experiences with the students, which helped to reduce the gap between generations. Findings indicate the effectiveness of an intergenerational service-learning intervention on SI reduction and increased positive attitude among college students.

Adventures in Intergenerational Service-Learning: Laughter, Friendship, and Life Advice.

Using pre- and post-visit reflection papers from a third-year undergraduate leisure and aging course, this paper describes the ways in which an intergenerational service-learning project fostered greater understanding of aging, long-term care (LTC) homes and the people who reside in them. Partnering with a LTC home in the Niagara Region of Ontario, 50 students gathered first-hand life stories from older adults over a period of 5 weeks. In pairs, students considered course content in relation to stories of life transitions they have yet to experience and reflected on generational similarities and differences. The overall project incorporated biography and photography-based assignments in order to create individual narratives for each participant in the project. Supplementary coursework enabled students to develop skills related to creative representation of the stories (e.g., lessons on photography and biography writing). This intergenerational project culminated with an exhibit of students' work at the end of the term, attended by our storytellers, their families and friends as well as staff at the home. In pre- and post-visit reflection assignments, students described how their experiences disrupted assumptions they held about older adults, LTC homes and the experience of aging.

Intergenerational Service Learning within an Aging Course and Its Impact on Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes about Aging

ABSTRACT Ageism is a term used to describe negative stereotypes and prejudices often leading to the discrimination of older adults. Ageism has been linked to negative outcomes such as a decreased quality of life, discrimination in the workplace, and poorer mental and physical health for older adults. Promoting positive contact experiences between older and younger generations in combination with education about aging has shown to improve attitudes among younger adults toward aging. Using the Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) model, this study examined the attitudes toward aging among 23 undergraduate students prior to and upon completion of an intergenerational service learning project, embedded within an aging course. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) was used to measure levels of ageism before and after the intergenerational service learning project. The overall mean among the entire sample for the pre-FSA scores (68.86 ± 1.47) was significantly greater than the mean scores on the post-FSA scores (63.13 ± 1.48), t = 5.584, p < .001, demonstrating a significant decrease in ageism scores upon completion of the intergenerational service learning project. Findings validate the utility of intergenerational service learning programs and offers advice on the implementation of evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing ageism among the population.

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.

Contemplative Pedagogy: Fostering Transformative Learning in a Critical Service Learning Course

Background: Research demonstrating the positive outcomes of service learning among university students is robust and some describe the impact as transformative. Purpose: To help me better understand how I can support transformative learning in my classroom, this study explored how an intergenerational critical service learning project fostered change among student participants. Methodology/Approach: Data consisted of reflection journals collected over 6 years from 228 students who participated in a course-based intergenerational service learning project and researcher field notes. Using a qualitative design and narrative methodology analysis took place over a 2-year period and consisted of a 3-stage process: deep reading, identifying stories, and re-storying to generate findings. Findings/Conclusions: Three mechanisms were found to foster transformation among students—writing as inquiry, embodied learning, and mindfulness. The two-pronged contemplative approach used in this course informs the way in which students experience the critical service learning project. Together, they provide a deep and transformative learning opportunity. Implications: Insights into course design and pedagogical approaches that support transformative learning.

“Just like us”: Increasing awareness, prompting action and combating ageism through a critical intergenerational service learning project

ABSTRACTIn the Through their Eyes Project health sciences students are partnered with older adults to explore and assess the age-friendliness of their neighborhood. Using an innovative data collection tool – ‘moving interviews’ – these intergenerational research teams learn about the community and each other by traveling, observing, and discussing these landscapes together. The research project culminates in a community forum where findings are presented to government officials, the housing association and aging organizations. In addition to completing the research project, students are required to keep a journal to reflect on their experience.The purpose of this study was to explore students experience participating in a critical intergenerational service learning project. Two research questions guided this inquiry: What was the experience for students and, what elements of the project are important to that experience?Student journals collected over 5 years from 191 students comprised the data for this study. Data were analyzed using a 6-phase thematic analysis process.Two key findings related to student experience emerged from the study: increased awareness and prompted to action. Elements of the course found significant to this experience included an aging simulation activity and the specific design of the project.The paper concludes with suggestions for developing and integrating critical service-learning pedagogy into gerontological education.

“It is Good to Spend Time with Older Adults. You Can Teach Them, They Can Teach You”: Second Grade Students Reflect on Intergenerational Service Learning

Service learning has become increasingly popular across all levels of education. Previous literature emphasizes that reflection is an important aspect of service learning. However, limited focus has been given to appropriate methods of reflection for younger children. This longitudinal study followed 31 second-grade children (15 females; mean age 7.6 years) who participated in a year-long intergenerational service learning project. Children made monthly visits to older adults, referred to as ‘grandfriends’ by the teachers, at local retirement communities. The primary research goals were to examine how children use writing to reflect on their service learning and to analyze how children characterize changes in their relationships with older adults. The children were interviewed at the beginning and end of the school year and responded to guided prompts in a service learning journal throughout the year. Interviews and journals were transcribed and coded for emergent themes. Qualitative analyses revealed that children’s understanding of what older people can and cannot do became more detailed and complex. Analyses of the journals indicated that the children were able to effectively reflect upon their experiences through writing. Children demonstrated an ability to take multiple perspectives as well as reflect upon their emotions. Journals also reflected an understanding of the reciprocal nature of relationships; that children and grandfriends learned from each other. Findings suggest that relatively young children can effectively use writing journals to reflect upon their service learning experiences and that intergenerational service learning provides rich opportunities for improved cross-generational understanding.

Learning from Healthy Older Adults: An Analysis of Undergraduate Students’ Reflective Essays

Service learning has been utilized as an effective type of pedagogy, and students involved in service learning projects gain real-world experiences outside the classroom. Research suggests that intergenerational service learning projects are becoming increasingly common and such projects are likely to enhance the quality of both academic and civic outcomes for students. There is, however, relatively little research on the learning outcomes of event management students involved with physically active older adults. This study investigated the learning outcomes of undergraduate students who facilitated a sporting event for older adults. Students participated in structured service learning opportunities at the Indiana Senior Games, a multi-sport event for those aged 50 and older. Three investigators independently used content analysis methodology to analyze 142 student reflection papers. It was found that the students developed relationships with older adults, were less likely to negatively stereotype older adults, and realized the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle when they grow old. Service learning opportunities with older adults are a promising practice for undergraduate students, as self-esteem and a sense of social responsibility may be affected.

Reciprocity of service learning among students and paired residents in long-term care facilities

Many intergenerational service learning projects have been designed for service providers and recipients, few studies have analyzed the providers and recipients of such projects in terms of caring behavior. In accordance with the Taiwan Ministry of Education initiative to develop curricular service learning, a service learning project was initiated during a nursing school course before the students performed their clinical practicum. The aim of this mixed method design was to report the development of an intergenerational service learning project and to test its effects both on nursing students paired with residents and residents of facilities. A pre-and post-test with non-randomized control group design was used to evaluate the effects of the project on caring perceived by the residents, and a one-group pre- and post-test design was used to test its effects among nursing students. The analysis included valid questionnaires received from 59 eligible residents and 210 nursing stu`dents. The 20-hour project included pre-service training, service, and an end-of-project presentation. At post-test, the residents showed that perceived caring significantly differed between the intervention group and the control group (F=8.99; p=.004). Paired t test analysis of nursing students also showed significant increases in both caring and attitude scores after the project (t=8.56; p=.000; t=6.35; p=.000). The project significantly affected the caring perceived by the residents and the achievements of the junior nursing students. This experimental study provides information of interest to nursing educators, long-term care administrators, and researchers in elderly care.

The impact of a gerontology course and a service-learning program on college students' attitudes toward people with dementia.

We examined the effects of a gerontology course and an intergenerational service-learning project for people with dementia (PWD) on three dimensions of students' attitudes including attitudes toward older people, community service for older people, and working with PWD. Data consisted of a combination of pretest/posttest survey and review of journals that students maintained during the service-learning project. Results indicated that students who completed the gerontology course, and those who completed both the course and the service-learning project, reported significantly more positive attitudes toward older adults, whereas students in the course only had significantly less positive attitudes about working with PWD, and those in the other courses (sociology) showed no change in their attitudes. Students' journals are replete with reports of the satisfaction they derived from their experiences. The findings highlight opportunities and challenges that should be considered in future intergenerational service-learning programs and gerontological education.

Share Your Experience and I'll Lend You My Ear: Older Adult Outcomes of an Intergenerational Service-Learning Experience

Intergenerational service learning is frequently used in gerontology courses. However, research usually focuses on the experience of the younger (e.g., children, youth, adolescents, students) rather than older participants, or older adults who are in poor health. Using a focus group methodology, this study explored the experience of active older volunteers who participated in an intergenerational service-learning project with college students. Results indicated older adults positively experienced the project and found the relationships with their partners meaningful. They appreciated students listening to their life stories and documenting them through memoirs. The study shows that active older adults can benefit from an intergenerational service-learning experience.

Intergenerational Service Learning With Elders: Multidisciplinary Activities and Outcomes

This article provides an overview of the activities included in a 3-year, multidisciplinary, intergenerational service-learning project conducted as part of a Foundation for Long-Term Care Service Learning: Linking Three Generations grant. Courses from four departments (gerontology, psychology, occupational therapy, and health promotion and physical education) and one interdisciplinary clinical intervention for stroke patients (speech pathology, occupational therapy, and therapeutic recreation) were involved. Service-learning activities were embedded in course curriculums and varied from semester-long activities in group settings to activities involving one-on-one contact for several hours. In total, eight faculty and 225 students worked with 148 elders and 12 different community organizations to plan and implement activities for 357 older adults. Students and elders reported a high degree of satisfaction with the intergenerational activities and indicated that they learned from them and found them of value personally.

Intergenerational Service-Learning

Summary This article provides an overview of intergenerational service-learning, an experiential pedagogy that involves students in learning outside the traditional classroom while providing a needed service in the community. Examples of intergenerational service-learning projects are presented that have been successfully utilized by the authors. These projects demonstrate the importance of using reflective practice assignments to help students deconstruct and reconstruct images, beliefs and paradigms about older adults. In addition, problems and opportunities in developing service-learning projects in urban and rural settings and with the Hispanic community are described, as well as some of the types of learning that may result from implementing service-learning experiences in various social work foundation courses.

Higher Education and Foster Grandparent Programs: Exploring Mutual Benefits

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to highlight ways in which programs within institutions of higher education and Foster Grandparent Programs can interact to their mutual benefit. Given federal and state initiatives to develop linkages between institutions of higher education and community service sites, mutual benefits exist at the program level for both institutions of higher education and Foster Grandparent Programs. At the individual level, mutual benefits exist for both students in academic programs and senior volunteers. We propose that universities and colleges, including community colleges, and various programs within these institutions of higher education can beneficially interface with Foster Grandparent Programs through intergenerational service-learning programming. As such, we suggest ideas for intergenerational service-learning projects across a wide array of disciplines. Personal communication with Foster Grandparent Program directors across the nation is used to provide information and unique case examples in developing linkages between Foster Grandparent Programs and institutions of higher education.

War Veterans’ Memoirs as Narrated to Students: An Intergenerational Service-learning Project for Interpersonal Communication

Objective: To increase understanding of interpersonal communication theories and concepts, to apply interpersonal skills studied in class, and to develop an intergenerational relationship by means of an interview project Course: Interpersonal Communication

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS, MENTORSHIP AND INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING

This paper discusses the implementation of an intergenerational service-learning (IS-L) project with a mentorship component for graduate students at Western Michigan University's Gerontology Program. Two classes of students, one graduate and one undergraduate, taking introductory gerontology courses were brought together to complete IS-L projects of their own designs. Graduate students were asked to act as mentors to undergradute team members. To guide development of mentorship skills, eight Seifter and Economy (2001) teachable principles of good team management were used: (1) put power in the hands of the people doing the work; (2) encourage individual responsibility; (3) create clarity of roles; (4) share and rotate leadership; (5) foster horizontal teamwork; (6) learn to listen, learn to talk; (7) seek consensus; and, (8) dedicate passionately to your mission. While challenging, most of the graduate students found the process of developing mentorship skills personally insightful and valuable.

Intergenerational Wellness Programming in Occupational Therapy

An intergenerational Wellness program was implemented by occupational therapy students at Laboure House located in Chicago, Illinois, in the fall of 2001 as part of a grant funded by the National Service Corporation in conjunction with the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Program goals include: (a) developing students' skills in evaluation and Wellness programming by participating in an intergenerational service learning project, (b) providing occupation-based Wellness programming for the residents, and (c) promoting Wellness for the residents by encouraging them to find meaning in their lives through a variety of wellness/health promotion activities. Outcome measures used to assess change in the residents included the COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) (Law, Baptiste, Carswell, McColl, Polatajko, & Pollock, 1998) and the SF-36 (Ware, 1992). Tools used to assess students' performance included internship assessment forms and qualitative data from students' reflective journals. Preliminary results indicate improvement in awareness of Wellness and health promotion activities by the residents as well as a positive learning experience for students.

SERVICE-LEARNING AT THE EDGE OF CHAOS

This paper discusses the implementation of an intergenerational service-learning (IS-L) project by Western Michigan University's Gerontology Program. Two classes of students, one graduate and one undergraduate, taking introductory gerontology courses were brought together to complete IS-L projects of their own designs. Students were placed in teams. Key project components included: negotiation with community partners to construct a viable one-semester project, collaboration on a team, and analysis of the team development process. A Critical Incident Questionnaire was used to collect data on student perceptions of project and class progress. While challenging, most students found the intergenerational service-learning projects and team format valuable and rewarding.

Mentoring Between and Within “Generations” of Gerontology Students

This article examines the use of mentoring during the implementation of an intergenerational service-learning project. An intergenerational mentoring model was developed to include the students in two required courses in the undergraduate model, with the assistance of a student from the MA in Gerontology program. Students were asked to work together in designing and implementing a program focused on melding learning with meeting community needs. Three kinds of mentoring roles were identified in both group and individual mentoring. These include the roles of “door openers,” “information providers,” and “role models.” This paper discusses the value of mentoring to engage undergraduates in gerontology, to provide a measure of advanced undergraduates' competence and ability to use ge-rontological knowledge, and to extend unpaid faculty resources in a gerontology program.