Multiple impacts of an intergenerational program in Japan: Evidence from the Research on Productivity through Intergenerational Sympathy Project

Abstract

Compelling evidence supporting the benefits of social engagement in older adults has been increasingly discussed. However, knowledge regarding an intergenerational program is limited. Herein, we provide a targeted review of intergenerational programs by focusing on our novel interventional program, Research on Productivity through Intergenerational Sympathy. The Research on Productivity through Intergenerational Sympathy program is an intergenerational picture-book reading program launched in 2004. Participants were involved a 3-month intensive weekly training seminar comprising classes about book selection, reading techniques and basic knowledge of children's school life. Subsequently, they participated in group activities that involved playing a hand game, and reading picture books to children at kindergartens, elementary schools and public childcare centers, once every 1-2 weeks. The Research on Productivity through Intergenerational Sympathy program has shown improvement of physical and psychological functioning of older adults and healthy upbringing of children. Similarly, Experience Corps -designed to train and place volunteers in participating elementary schools for an academic year during which time they assist teachers -also showed positive effects for older adults' health status and the psychological/academic success of young children in the USA. Health promotion efforts for older adults must support social policy for the creation of meaningful service programs for older adults on a large social scale. As such, an intergenerational program based on the concept of social capital, defined as "features of social organization, such as trust, norms and networks, that can improve the efficacy of society by facilitating coordinated actions," is an effective and sustainable program for health promotion among older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 98-109.

Comparing the efficacy of yoga exercise and intergenerational interaction program on mental health of elderly

“…The results showed a significant effect of yoga exercise and intergenerational interaction in experimental groups on general health scores and subscales of social dysfunction and depression compared to checks and pretests. These results are consistent with previous researchers ' findings that yoga exercises [13,20] and intergenerational interaction [21,22] are effective in improving health scales that are psychologically similar to anxiety, depression, and social functions. This finding is explained, yoga exercises can be said to increase physiological factors such as norepinephrine associated with alertness and dopamine associated with the pleasure mechanism, which has beneficial psychological effects of improving mood and cell activity, stress reduction, enhancement of the immune system improve attitudes towards oneself and life, increase self-esteem, energy and ultimately improve overall health [20].…”

Experiences of participating in intergenerational interventions in older people's care settings: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of qualitative literature

“…Other quantitative research has also shown a beneficial effect on the attitudes of children towards older people: the results of one study where fourth grade students were engaged in social visits, during which they interview the elders, write mini biographies based on the interviews, and draw pictures of their partner, revealed how students were more likely to perceive elders as intelligent, healthy, or valuable (Lynott & Merola, ). Another study analysed the effects of playing board games and reading picture books to children, showing not only beneficial effects on older people (such as the improvement of physical and psychological functioning), but also improving the attitudes of children towards older people (Yasunaga et al, ).…”

“…However, these quantitative studies have their limitations: a reduction in the interaction between children and older people following a break period in the intervention – suggesting that children required more time to get back into the routine of the programme was evident (Belgrave, ); perceiving older people as a homogenous population within sampling without distinguishing any demographic or other social differences (Liu et al, ); a failure to account for why some older people were non‐responsive within the interventions (Newman & Ward, ); high dropout rates between the intervention and follow‐up (Yasunaga et al, ); and a failure to fully account for children's previous experience with older people and how this may influence their perceptions (Kamei et al, ). Most of these limitations could have been addressed by the inclusion of a qualitative element in the design to capture the lived experience of the participants involved in the study (Sasso et al, ).…”

The impact of intergenerational programs on children and older adults: a review

“…Instead, in the American program "Experience Corps" senior citizens act as mentors in elementary schools (Varma et al, 2015). Other common IG activities include reading (Isaki and Harmon, 2014;Yasunaga et al, 2016), singing (Bales et al, 2000;Belgrave, 2011), playing games (Low et al, 2015), and participating to artistic projects (Teater, 2016). Despite the wide range of potential shared activities, the IG programs can be summarized in four main groups: elder people taking care of the youth, children visiting, and assisting senior citizens, elders and children cooperating in voluntary works, youth and elders who participate collectively to learning or leisure activities (Hatton-Yeo and Toshio, 2000).…”