scholarly journals CHANGES IN STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD OLDER ADULTS AFTER AN INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 81-81
Author(s):  
S N Leedahl ◽  
M Brasher ◽  
E Estus
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults

Students' Perceptions of Older Adults: Effects of a Service-Learning Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. S-59-S-72
Author(s):  
Heather Kanenberg ◽  
Susan Mapp ◽  
Rustin Dudley ◽  
Margaret McFarland
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Method Comparison ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults ◽  
Cultural Shifts

Previous literature has established an improvement in student attitudes toward older adults after a service- learning experience with this population. This study furthered the research by conducting a mixed- method comparison group study with a sample of 151 traditional- aged BSW students. Both groups increased in positive perceptions toward older adults on the Polizzi's (2003) refined Aging Semantic Differential Scale, and there was no significant difference between them. Qualitative results specific to those working with seniors suggest that students either improved or maintained positive attitudes toward this population. Therefore service learning may not need to be specific to this population to improve attitudes but does assist in reinforcing classroom material. Findings illustrate a need for further study of the overall impact of the social work curriculum as well as possible cultural shifts in attitudes toward older adults.

Influencing Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults: Results of a Service-Learning Collaboration

2006 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 771-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene A. Gutheil ◽  
Roslyn H. Chernesky ◽  
Marian L. Sherratt
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults

scholarly journals AGING IS VERY PERSONAL: INTERPROFESSIONAL GERONTOLOGY COURSE IMPROVING STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S151-S151
Author(s):  
Jason T Garbarino
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Program Construction

Abstract Educational programs that foster the development of a robust healthcare workforce committed to the provision of exemplary care of older adults is vital. The Aging is Very Personal (AIVP) service learning gerontology course has demonstrated the ability to foster future student interest and improved attitudes towards working with older adults. The AIVP program provides mutual benefit for undergraduate students from a variety of health science majors and older adult resident volunteers at local senior living facilities. For students, AIVP serves as direct insight into the lived experience of aging among community older adults. Students are provided the opportunity to practice communication skills, relationship-building skills, and gain an understanding of the multitude of diverse needs within this population. Older adults who volunteer to participate in the activity are provided with the opportunity to speak to and actively engage with students and feel empowered by the opportunity to provide valuable life guidance. This presentation will provide a curricular overview of the steps required to construct, implement, and evaluate an interprofessional gerontology course. A review of student learning objectives, service-learning program construction, selected course topics, and student assignments will be presented. Attitudes and future interest in working with older adults measured in the initial interprofessional student cohort (n=106) will be presented. A pre-established, validated tool utilized to effectively measure student attitudes and interest pre/post-course participation will be reviewed.

The Impact of TimeSlips on Undergraduate Students in Service Learning With Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sabine Heuer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Attitude Shift ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Journal Entries

Purpose Future speech-language pathologists are often unprepared in their academic training to serve the communicative and cognitive needs of older adults with dementia. While negative attitudes toward older adults are prevalent among undergraduate students, service learning has been shown to positively affect students' attitudes toward older adults. TimeSlips is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to improve health care students' attitudes toward older adults. The purpose of this study is to explore the change in attitudes in speech-language pathology students toward older adults using TimeSlips in service learning. Method Fifty-one students participated in TimeSlips service learning with older adults and completed the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) before and after service learning. In addition, students completed a reflection journal. The DAS data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics, and journal entries were analyzed using a qualitative analysis approach. Results The service learners exhibited a significant increase in positive attitude as indexed on the DAS. The reflective journal entries supported the positive change in attitudes. Conclusions A noticeable attitude shift was indexed in reflective journals and on the DAS. TimeSlips is an evidence-based, patient-centered approach well suited to address challenges in the preparation of Communication Sciences and Disorders students to work with the growing population of older adults.

scholarly journals Intergenerational Service Learning Program Improves Aging Knowledge and Expectations and Reduces Ageism in Younger Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Francis ◽  
Jennifer A. Margrett ◽  
Kara Hoerr ◽  
Marc J. Peterson ◽  
Abbie Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Program Evaluations ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Contact Hours ◽  
Aging Expectations ◽  
Aging Knowledge

This article discusses a study which evaluated the effects of an intergenerational service-learning exergaming program for older adults on younger adults’ aging knowledge, expectations, and perceptions. Eighteen college students (ages 19-26 years) served as trainers for an 8-week exergaming physical activity program for older adults (12 contact hours). Questionnaires assessing aging knowledge, ageist attitudes and aging expectations were completed at Weeks 1, 8, and 25 (follow-up); program evaluations were completed at Weeks 8 and 25. Significant improvement from Week 1 to Week 25 was found for: Aging knowledge scores (p

Baccalaureate Social Work Student Attitudes toward Older Adults

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Philip Tan ◽  
MicheleJ. Hawkins ◽  
Ellen Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Male Student ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Spring Semester ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults

This study investigated the attitudes of baccalaureate social work students concerning older adults using the instrument constructed by Sanders, Montgomery, Pittman, and Balkwell (1984). That instrument assesses respondents' attitudes on 20 distinct characteristics of older women and men in three age categories, the young-old (65–74), the old-old (75–99), and centenarians (100+). Data were obtained from 204 students from an accredited undergraduate social work program in a major south Florida university in the spring semester of 1999. The data revealed that the majority of students (93.8%) had not taken any gerontology classes. Only 6.9% of respondents indicated that they were definitely planning to do their field practicum in a geriatric setting, and 4.0% indicated that they definitely intended to work with older adults. Overall student attitudes toward older adults were generally in the neutral range, however, those attitudes were more negative toward older age categories. Female student attitudes were more positive than male student attitudes. Older women were more positively regarded than their male counterparts. Students who indicated that they were close to older adults and who took gerontology classes had more positive attitudes. Future research and implications for social work education are discussed.

scholarly journals Evaluating Service-Learning with Older Adults on Undergraduate College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 943-944
Author(s):  
Sharon Merkin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction: Students in the Frontiers in Human Aging course at UCLA participate in service-learning (SL) with older adults. In 2020, completion of SL coincided with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We evaluated the impact of SL on student attitudes on aging and community service in the context of the pandemic. Methods: Students were assigned to senior residential and daycare programs for 18-20 hours of SL. A retrospective pretest-posttest survey asked about attitudes and interests before and after SL and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected these perceptions; 73 (of 103) students responded. Mean differences before and after SL were tested and differences were assessed within groups reporting COVID-19 effects. Results: SL improved students’ attitudes and ability to engage with older adults, knowledge about aging concepts, interest in future work with older adults, attitudes on community service, social well-being and feelings of usefulness (p<0.001). There was no significant change in overall anxiety about aging (p=0.1), however, students showed increased anxiety about losing independence and finances when older (p<0.05). At least 50% of students reported that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their awareness of needs of older adults (81.9%) and decreased connection to their peers (50.7%); the impact of SL remained unchanged by these effects. Conclusion: Despite the overall benefits of SL, increased anxiety about aspects of aging suggests the need to address these concerns. While the COVID-19 pandemic did not seem to affect the impact of SL, this event did seem to influence perceptions about aging and social integration.

scholarly journals Reducing Ageism: Changes in Students’ Attitudes after Participation in an Intergenerational Reverse Mentoring Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6870
Author(s):  
Skye N. Leedahl ◽  
Melanie Sereny Brasher ◽  
Dara L. LoBuono ◽  
Bethany M. Wood ◽  
Erica L. Estus
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Mentoring Program ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Age Stereotypes ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Using Data

Ageism is a societal concern that greatly affects the social, emotional, physical, and mental health of older adults. One way to decrease ageist attitudes and improve the treatment of older adults is to address and improve age stereotypes among young adults. Using data from students participating in an intergenerational digital-learning program, the present study investigated change in students’ stereotypes of older adults and aging. We examined change from pre- and post-scores in student attitudes toward older adults and the type of adjectives used to describe older adults. We also analyzed responses to open-ended questions about changes in perception of older adults and aging and interest in working with older adults. Findings showed that: (1) Students’ attitudes improved following participation in the program; (2) students used fewer negative words to describe older adults following participation; (3) answers to open-ended questions demonstrated that many students improved their perceptions of older adults; and (4) many students showed increased interest in working with older adults in their future careers. Programs that reduce age stereotypes should be promoted in order to reduce young people’s harmful ageist stereotypes, ensure respectful treatment of older adults in all workplace and social situations, and increase interest in aging-related fields.

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