Intergenerational Virtual Program: Promoting Meaningful Connections Across the Lifespan During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Intergenerational programs have long been identified as a way of promoting health and well-being for participants. Continuing such programs during pandemic restrictions is challenging and requires a novel approach. This community case study describes the use of co-design to create a high-level intergenerational program model, adapt it to specific community needs, and deliver it virtually with the aid of modern communication technology. Interviews conducted after the program had finished indicated that despite the challenges and limitations of the virtual environment, meaningful connections were achieved across three generations. The high-level program model may serve as a basis for other programs wanting to explore this area.

LinkAGES Colorado: Evaluation of Intergenerational Programs to Improve Connections Across All Ages

LinkAGES: Colorado is a collaborative group of multi-sector organizations (e.g., libraries, non-profit service organizations, nursing homes) that uses a capacity-building approach to support the offering of intergenerational programs and evaluation of outcomes over time and across programs. Since 2018, LinkAGES has implemented 20 intergenerational programs involving various activities (e.g., music and art therapy, sharing cultural traditions), across settings, and across modalities (in-person and online). Ages of program participants ranged from 5 months to 96 years old. This study evaluated change in connectedness between generations over time. Participants (n=118) completed pre- and post-program ratings on social connection (i.e., level of intergenerational engagement, self-perception of extent of feeling connected, and self-perception of impact on someone from another generation) on a 4-point Likert scale. Paired sample t-test results indicated that programs significantly improved engagement and perceived impact. Using multiple regression analyses, we tested change over time for each outcome controlling for participant age group, program host setting, and program modality. A greater positive change in level of engagement occurred for older adults and in-person programs. Additionally, feelings of connection and perceived impact significantly improved over time when controlling for age group, program modality, and program host setting, with age group as a significant covariate. This study demonstrates the impact of intergenerational programs on social connectedness across a wider network of organizations than much of the extant literature. While the positive outcomes are promising and consistent across LinkAGES programs and existing literature, further exploration of age group differences should be considered.

Intergenerational Service-Learning During COVID-19

Mentor Up is a technology training program designed to reduce loneliness through technology training and intergenerational relationships. The program, which has similarities to Cyber Seniors, has been held at Eckerd College for four years and has traditionally been held in-person at a local Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). During the pandemic we partnered with AARP to re-think the program and offer a modified version of Mentor Up on Zoom. Five one-hour one-on-one virtual technology training sessions led by 16 students were scheduled. Participants joined to ask questions about how to use features on their smartphones or how to navigate the Zoom virtual platform more effectively. The remote nature of programming allows for expanded 2021 participation, including AARP members across Florida and all three Westminster Communities of Florida in the area (CCRC, ALF, SNF). Participation rates, strategies to implement intergenerational programs on a virtual platform, and lessons learned will be highlighted.

The Photography and Memory Project: Adapting an Intergenerational Program During a Global Pandemic

Since 2019, a university-community partnership has connected undergraduate students with older adults from independent living and community-based settings (i.e., library, art museum) for a photography-based intergenerational program. This study compares the implementation and impacts of this photography-based intergenerational program both in an in-person format before the COVID-19 pandemic (n=34) and an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=25). Pre- and post- results from older adult and undergraduate student participants regarding social connection and evaluation comments from program participants and staff were compared between the pre-pandemic, in-person format, and the same program’s offering the next year in a virtual format. Results indicate that the benefits of this intergenerational photography program were experienced at a similar level during and before COVID-19. Findings demonstrate that intergenerational programs could effectively continue in remote formats, while also identifying potential challenges in implementation for staff regarding managing logistics and maintaining engagement among participants.

An Age- Friendly Campus Partnership for Hospitalized Older Adults in the COVID Era and Beyond

As hospitals isolate COVID-19 patients to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease, patients and family are separated during times of critical illness. For many older adults inflicted with coronavirus it is not the fear of dying that matters the most, it is the fear of dying alone. Utilizing the 4Ms approach, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) responded with several initiatives including intergenerational programs designed to shape and inform the development of future healthcare clinicians in addressing what matters the most to patients and leveraging technology to connect them with families, provide mobility opportunities, monitor medications, and reduce errors.

Intergenerational Programming During the Pandemic: Transformation During (Constantly) Changing Times

Implementing intergenerational programming amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has required creativity, partnership, and dedication to the work. Most intergenerational programs involving in-person meetings or events are accompanied by guidelines to protect participant health and safety. Programming is routinely cancelled or postponed due to poor weather or contagious illness, particularly when a vulnerable population is involved. The needs for safety precautions and continued intergenerational contact were both amplified during the pandemic, leading many to modify or innovate ways to engage generations rather than eliminate contact for extended periods. Technology has afforded new approaches to engage young people and older people with each other; non-technological ways have also proven effective. This symposium will address strategies used to implement intergenerational programs during the pandemic. Authors will highlight lessons learned and strategies they expect to retain in the future. The first paper describes a pivot in nutrition programming designed for a shared site with preschool children and frail older adults. In paper two, authors discuss their partnership-based approach shifting to remote offerings of Cyber-Seniors programming. Paper three addresses how MentorUp Service-Learning expanded its reach by adaptations to virtual programming for older adults in retirement communities. The final paper presents evaluation data comparing arts programming delivered in-person pre-pandemic and again virtually during the pandemic. In each case, researchers and community partners learned techniques to maintain their programmatic foci. Some projects developed strategies they plan to maintain post-pandemic. Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United serves as the symposium discussant.

A Review of participant, agency, and community outcomes of non-familial intergenerational programs

Summary: Social workers are uniquely qualified to administer intergenerational programs, which offer a long-standing and promising way to improve the lives of children, youth, older adults, and communities. Existing reviews of intergenerational programming include a relatively limited time period and do not include agency and community outcomes. This scoping review was conducted with two primary objectives: (1) to synthesize a more comprehensive understanding of intergenerational program outcomes, organized by program type, and (2) to clarify gaps related to agency and community-level outcomes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, we searched 18 databases for articles published between 1981 − 2019. Quantitative, qualitative, and gray literature were included that focused on formal, non-familial intergenerational programs and incorporated clear research methods. A two-cycle coding process identified six program types, five participant outcome domains, three agency-level outcomes, and four community-level outcomes. Findings: 217 articles met inclusion criteria after a first (title/abstract) and second (full-text) review. Quality appraisal of the articles found the studies to have “fair” quality overall, with a limited number of randomized controlled trials or sustained outcomes greater than six months. Approximately 12% of studies identified agency or community outcomes. Findings indicate strong psycho-social outcomes for older adults and increased inclusivity, capacity, and engagement at agency and community levels. Applications: Future program development and research efforts should address best practices for the implementation and scalability of intergenerational programs to enhance capacity and age-inclusivity at agency and community levels.

In the Eye of the Beholder: The Impact of Intergenerational Programs from the Perspectives of Their Different Stakeholders

Since most evaluations of intergenerational programs (IGPs) focus on the perspective of a single stakeholder group concerning the benefit for themselves, we compared perceptions of multiple stakeholders: older adults, younger adults, and IGP organizers concerning the impact of IGPs on older and young participants. Using a mixed-methods approach, we collected data from thirteen community-based IGPs. The quantitative analyses included a comparison of the different stakeholder groups via ANOVAs and chi-square analyses. In order to identify the reasons for different attribution ratings among stakeholders, we conducted a qualitative analysis of the stakeholders’ comments and responses to open-ended questions using a thematic analysis approach. Overall, participants rated benefits to themselves lower than attributed to them by their counterparts. Differences in ratings may be explained by differences in expectations and needs, cognitive dissonance, as well as a lack of awareness about other participants’ experiences. Given the discrepancies in perception of impact, it is vital to seek input from all stakeholders in order to understand their respective needs and expectations, construct a balanced evaluation, and improve IGP processes and outcomes. Studying a single stakeholder group for project evaluation is likely to provide only one perspective, whereas including all points of view provides a more complete picture.

Intergenerational Practice in the Community—What Does the Community Think?

The many changes that occur in the lives of older people put them at an increased risk of being socially isolated and lonely. Intergenerational programs for older adults and young children can potentially address this shortfall, because of the perceived benefit from generations interacting. This study explores whether there is an appetite in the community for intergenerational programs for community dwelling older adults. An online survey was distributed via social media, research team networks, and snowballing recruitment with access provided via QR code or hyperlink. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with potential participants of a pilot intergenerational program planned for the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia in 2020. The interviews were thematically analyzed. Over 250 people completed the survey, and 21 interviews took place with older adults (10) and parents of young children (11). The data showed that participants were all in favor of intergenerational programs, but there were different perceptions about who benefits most and how. The study highlighted considerations to be addressed in the development of effective and sustainable intergenerational programs. For example, accessing people in the community who are most socially isolated and lonely was identified as a primary challenge. More evidence-based research is needed to support involvement of different cohorts, such as those who are frail, or living with physical or cognitive limitations.