Intergenerational Programs May Be Especially Engaging for Aged Care Residents With Cognitive Impairment: Findings From the Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge

Abstract

Intergenerational programs are an authentic way to engage elders in meaningful activity and report benefits to both elders and youth. The Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge (AVID) randomly assigned small teams of technology students aged 13 to 15 years (total N = 59) to 1 of 24 aged care residents with a range of cognitive impairment. Students met with the resident 4 times over 15 weeks and ultimately crafted a personalized item for them. Students showed no change in self-reported attitudes to elders, empathy, or self-esteem post-AVID or at 3-month follow-up, compared to a 3-month within-subject control period pre-AVID. Compared to usual lifestyle activities, residents showed significant improvements in self-reported positive affect and negative affect after student visits and were observed to be significantly more engaged during visits, especially residents with greater cognitive impairment. The personal and guided nature of intergenerational programs may be especially effective in engaging elders with cognitive impairment in meaningful activity.

Successful Elements of Intergenerational Dementia Programs: A Scoping Review

“…Additionally, students mentioned finding it hard to balance providing assistance and allowing the older participants the opportunity to be independent (Lokon et al, 2012). Additionally, Baker et al (2017) found no significant benefits for students regarding attitudes or empathy towads the older adults. The authors suggested that the relatively short amount of face-to-face time between both generations could have been insufficient for the intergenerational dementia program to have an effect on students' attitudes and levels of empathy (Baker et al, 2017).…”

“…In programs that had a buddy system, participants were linked to each other one-on-one or were put in consistent small groups. The main positive outcome associated with the buddy system was the creation of strong relationships within each group (Alant, Geyer, & Verde, 2015;Baker et al, 2017;Camp et al, 1997;Camp, Orsulic-Jeras, Lee, & Judge, 2004;Chung, 2009;Guerrero, Jimenez, & Tan, 2017;Harris & Caporella, 2014, 2018Isaki & Harmon, 2015;Lee, Camp, & Malone, 2007;Lokon et al, 2012Lokon et al, , 2017Low, Russell, McDonald, & Kauffman, 2015). However, Low et al (2015) reported that it was not always possible to group the same participants due to absences.…”

“…Seven studies included an educational element in their intergenerational dementia program (Baker et al, 2017;Chung, 2009;Di Bona et al, 2017;Harris & Caporella, 2014, 2018Lokon et al, 2017;Xaverius & Matthews, 2004). This successful element is specific for the younger generation.…”

“…More positive attitudes and empathy toward older adults and PWD Eleven studies analyzed attitudes and levels of empathy of the younger participants toward older adults and PWD (Baker et al, 2017;Chung, 2009;Di Bona et al, 2017;Gigliotti et al, 2005;Guerrero et al, 2017;Harris & Caporella, 2014, 2018Isaki & Harmon, 2015;Lokon et al, 2012Lokon et al, , 2017Xaverius & Matthews, 2004). Chung (2009) used a post-program feedback measurement to gain insights in students' perceptions of PWD.…”

“…In addition to these common recreationally based programs, there are also other types of programs such as educational programs that teach young people about dementia (Baker et al, 2018), or mentoring programs in which the older adults support the younger participants in performing activities (Galbraith et al, 2015). Dementia education can provide the younger participants with increased insight into what dementia is, what it is like to have dementia, and how to interact with PWD (Baker, Webster, Lynn, Rogers, & Belcher, 2017;Chung, 2009;Di Bona, Kennedy, & Mountain, 2017;Harris & Caporella, 2014, 2018Lokon et al, 2017). Additionally, studies show that having an increased dementia knowledge can make younger people feel more comfortable around PWD, increase levels of empathy and reduce misconceptions (Harris & Caporella, 2014, 2018.…”