Intergenerational Programs May Be Especially Engaging for Aged Care Residents With Cognitive Impairment: Findings From the Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge

Intergenerational programs are an authentic way to engage elders in meaningful activity and report benefits to both elders and youth. The Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge (AVID) randomly assigned small teams of technology students aged 13 to 15 years (total N = 59) to 1 of 24 aged care re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias 2017-06, Vol.32 (4), p.213-221
Main Authors: Baker, Jess Rose, Webster, Lindl, Lynn, Nigel, Rogers, Julie, Belcher, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Aged, 80 and over
Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology
Current Topics in Research
Dementia - psychology
Empathy
Female
Humans
Intergenerational Relations
Long-Term Care - psychology
Male
Self Concept
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Summary:Intergenerational programs are an authentic way to engage elders in meaningful activity and report benefits to both elders and youth. The Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge (AVID) randomly assigned small teams of technology students aged 13 to 15 years (total N = 59) to 1 of 24 aged care residents with a range of cognitive impairment. Students met with the resident 4 times over 15 weeks and ultimately crafted a personalized item for them. Students showed no change in self-reported attitudes to elders, empathy, or self-esteem post-AVID or at 3-month follow-up, compared to a 3-month within-subject control period pre-AVID. Compared to usual lifestyle activities, residents showed significant improvements in self-reported positive affect and negative affect after student visits and were observed to be significantly more engaged during visits, especially residents with greater cognitive impairment. The personal and guided nature of intergenerational programs may be especially effective in engaging elders with cognitive impairment in meaningful activity.
ISSN:1533-3175
1938-2731
DOI:10.1177/1533317517703477