scholarly journals 21st Century Good Neighbor Program: An Easily Generalizable Program to Reduce Social Isolation in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashank Sandu ◽  
Siva Sreedhar ◽  
Linda Chang ◽  
Lindsay Cohen ◽  
Andrea Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Community Service ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Service Agency ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Student Volunteers ◽  
Good Neighbor

Aim: In this once-in-a-lifetime humanitarian crisis, what does it mean to be a good neighbor? It means that as a community, we must address loneliness and barriers to care faced by vulnerable populations such as older adults. We share an inexpensive longitudinal experiential service-learning program implemented by health professions and undergraduate student volunteers that aims to help alleviate loneliness in older adults while imparting meaningful experiences to volunteers.Intervention Design and Setting: The 21st Century Good Neighbor Program is an observational cohort study of an experiential service-learning program started in May 2020, and this article shares the results collected after 1 year. This longitudinal, weekly phone call program was conducted in a single community setting in the Midwestern part of the United States. Older adults over the age of 60 served by a local community service agency (CSA) were invited to participate. Volunteers consisted of students 18 or older. Student volunteers made regular phone calls to a pair of older adults throughout the course of 1 year following standardized call scripts. The loneliness of the older adults was measured by volunteers using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Assessment.Results: 261 older adults were engaged in conversations with a volunteer. A total of 1,391 calls were accepted by older adults and the median length of a welcomed call was 11 min. The average baseline loneliness score was 4.156 ± 1.41 and the prevalence of social isolation was 19.5%. There was no significant change in the UCLA loneliness score in the first year of follow up. However, a majority of volunteers (88%) agreed or strongly agreed that the program had a positive impact on them. In addition, the program identified 257 issues older adults faced that required follow-up. The most prevalent concerns referred to the community service agency by volunteers were issues related to utilities, food and transportation access.Conclusion: The 21st Century Good Neighbor Program is a unique intervention in which student volunteers and older adults paired by a community service agency forge relationships though a longitudinal phone call-based program. This easy-to-implement program provides another layer of support to identify and refer issues that impact social determinants of health. The added benefit of volunteer satisfaction in the setting of COVID 19 pandemic is heartening. We hope to continue to study the impact of this intervention on social isolation in this vulnerable population.

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

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Students’ Evaluation in a Community Service-Learning Program

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Kuen Leung ◽  
Wen-Jing Liu ◽  
Wei-Dan Wang ◽  
Ching-Yu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Community Service Learning ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Factors Affecting

scholarly journals Deeper Learning through Service: Evaluation of an Interprofessional Community Service-Learning Program for Pharmacy and Medicine Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Clark ◽  
Meredith McKague ◽  
Vivian R. Ramsden ◽  
Shari McKay
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Community Service Learning ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
New Findings

Abstract   Background  This Community Service-Learning Project (CSLP) at the University of Saskatchewan is designed to help students develop patient-centred care practices in urban underserved settings.  First-year medical and pharmacy students partner interprofessionally to both learn and serve, working with community-based organizations (CBOs) that primarily serve either low-income or newcomer residents of Saskatoon. Since the CSLP’s pilot year in 2005-2006, 98 first-year medical and pharmacy students have participated in the CSLP.       Methods and Findings  We evaluated the outcomes and processes of the CSLP since the 2006-2007 year, using mixed methods: end-of-project questionnaires; document analysis looking for key and recurrent themes; end-of-project semi-structured interviews with CBO coordinators and clients. We examined students’ experiences, including satisfaction, achievement of learning objectives, learning processes, and perceived outcomes. Students’ main learning outcomes related to client-centered approach, interprofessional attitudes and skills, and personal development. Various learnings related to program processes are reported.   Conclusions  Our evaluation reinforced findings from the literature on both interprofessional education and community service-learning, as well uncovering some new findings.   Students described a transformative learning experience that helped them begin to develop understanding and skills to work more effectively with clients in urban underserved settings.

scholarly journals SERVICE LEARNING AS A MEANS TO ENHANCE CONNECTIONS TO OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S536-S536
Author(s):  
Marjorie A Getz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Certificate Program ◽  
Course Content

Abstract Aging is a distinct part of the life cycle. College students enrolled in courses in gerontology often have difficulty relating to aging, that part of life not yet experienced. They may not fully appreciate that adults become more unique, not more similar, as they age. We describe courses in an undergraduate gerontology certificate program that incorporate experiential learning activities with older adults across a hierarchical sequence of courses. These courses feature service learning opportunities focused on increased understanding of course content, broader appreciation of the discipline and improved sense of civic responsibility. Much like the course content of the curriculum, the incorporated experiential learning opportunities for each course level fit a hierarchy leading to student competence and skills development needed for success in the final independent practicum. For the described courses, students provided community service, experienced direct contact with older adults and used reflective practices to integrate course content into service learning activities. We report on qualitative data obtained from students enrolled in the foundational course, Biophysical Aspects of Aging and the third level course, Aging and Mental Health. Content analyses of reflective essays identified five themes: (a) insights about the realities of aging in America (b) perceptions concerning personal negative stereotypes about older adults; (c) feelings of accomplishment/awareness of new skills in providing community services; (d) understandings related to the importance/value of community service; and (e) successes in integrating the course work on aging into service-learning experiences. Other experiential learning activities incorporated into this gerontology certificate program are highlighted.

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 Frailty and Home Confinement during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Pre-Post Intervention, Single Arm, Prospective and Longitudinal Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
C.P. Launay ◽  
L. Cooper-Brown ◽  
V. Ivensky ◽  
O. Beauchet
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

The COVID-19 pandemic had severe consequences for older adults. First, COVID-19 was associated with more severe medical complications and an increased mortality rate in older compared to younger adults (1). Second, home confinement, an intervention that reduces the spread of COVID-19, was associated with adverse consequences for the older community-dwelling population (2). It broke down social networks and the continuum of primary care, resulting in medication or food delivery issues, psychological fallout and increasing frailty risks (3). Frailty assessment provides insight into the degree of older community dwellers’ health status vulnerability, social isolation and adverse health event risks, and it should be assessed before interventions are proposed (3). We designed a short assessment tool known as “Evaluation SOcio-GERiatrique” (ESOGER) for Montreal’s homebound community-dwelling older adults (3). In a phone call, ESOGER briefly assessed frailty and social isolation and provided recommendations, facilitating contact with health or social care providers who initiate appropriate health and social care plans (3). This study aims to examine the longitudinal effects of ESOGER on frailty and social isolation in Montreal’s homebound community-dwelling older adults.

scholarly journals Digital Technologies as a Panacea for Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older Adults: An Intervention Model for Flourishing and Wellbeing

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Diana Amundsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Intervention Model ◽  
Use Of Technology

Abstract This article explores whether digital communication technologies have applicability in reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Issues of social isolation and loneliness among older adults are important as they are identified risk factors for mortality, disability, cognitive ability, depression and poor wellbeing. This problem is more urgent due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has required older adults to physically and socially distance from family, friends, neighbours, communities and health services. In the context of the present Covid-19 pandemic, this article is of interest to educators, social workers, community service providers, health service practitioners, gerontological scholars involved in preparing older adult communities for present and future traumatic events resulting in socially isolating experiences. The literature identified that use of technology to promote social connection and enhance wellbeing for older adults can be an effective intervention, but more information is needed as to what aspects of such interventions make them effective. This research advocates for improvement in wellbeing and social connectedness of older adults through consideration of interventions through a model for flourishing and wellbeing. The research contributes to our growing understanding of how to change the way we think, feel and act towards older adults, ageing and flourishing.

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