Enhancing Perceived Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults through Intergenerational Programs
Intergenerational programs are purposeful activities that bring different generations together to share experiences, learn from one another and lead to mutual benefit. Much of the existing literature on intergenerational programs tends to focus on the aim of challenging stereotypes and stimulating attitudinal change of the young towards the old (Meshel & McGlynn, 2004). What is often missing from the literature is the extent to which older adults benefit from the programs from their perspective (Young & Janke, 2013).
This presentation reports on the evaluation of an intergenerational program delivered in the United Kingdom, which brings older adults (aged 50+) and students (aged 7– 14) together through art. This evaluation aimed to determine: (1) the extent to which older adults perceived their participation to contribute to their health, self-development, and community connection; and (2) what the older adults thought, felt, and learnt.
Methods:
Through the use of purposive sampling, 70 older adults completed a questionnaire consisting of 16 Likert-style questions (1 strongly disagree – 5 strongly agree) compiled from the Indexes of Arts as Self-Health Enhancer, Self-Developing Activities, and Community Builders (Michaols & Kahlke, 2010). Open-ended questions were utilized for the older adults to describe what they thought, felt, and learnt about their interaction with the students. The quantitative data from the Indexes were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis (Guest, 2012).
Results:
The mean age of the older adults was 74 (range 58 – 92). Across all three quantitative indicators, the older adults expressed positive benefits from their participation in the program. In terms of using art as a self-developing activity (x=4.06), the older adults indicated enhanced confidence and self-esteem with a high degree of frequency (71.4-87.2%). In terms of art as self-health enhancer (x=4.32), the majority of the older adults believed their participation had a positive effect on their life, and helped them to relax and relieve stress (78.3-94.3%). The greatest frequency of perceived positive outcomes related to art as a community builder (x=4.41). Specifically, the older adults believed their participation helped them to feel connected to their community (95.5%), strengthened the community (97.1%), and helped them to accept differences among people (91.3%).
The older adults (N=45) reported experiencing 18 different feelings ranging from happy to overwhelmed. Three themes emerged from the analysis of what the older adults “learnt” from their interaction (N=39): About children; The young and old can relate to each other; and School is different. Three themes emerged in regard to what the older adults “thought”(N=46): Made to feel welcome; Student behaviour/actions; and Age gap: Interaction. The themes represented an ability to interact with younger generations despite previously held assumptions and a perception of feeling valued, respected, and challenged.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight that the “Time after Time” intergenerational program can benefit older adults by enhancing their perceived self-development and health, and increase their participation in the community. Such programs can be implemented to enhance the health and well-being of older adults in addition to bridging the gap between generations.