CONNECTING GENERATIONS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY: EVALUATING OLDER ADULT AND STUDENT MENTOR PROGRAM OUTCOMES

• Published in: Innovation in aging 2017-07, Vol.1 (suppl_1), p.1191-1191
• Main Authors: Leedahl, S.N., Kotzian, H., Estus, E., SerenyBrasher, M.S., Clark, S., Bishal, T., Rusnak, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.4337

Cyber-Seniors®: Connecting Generations is an international, intergenerational program that connects college students and/or high school students with older adults. The program helps older adults learn to use technological devices and programs while providing students valuable skills in teaching and communicating. Four programs implemented the program from January-May 2016 at various settings including a 4-year university, volunteer agency, boys and girls club, and a career technical center in Rhode Island, Florida, Washington DC, and Michigan, respectively. All student mentors and older adult participants completed pre- and post-surveys that included both quantitative and qualitative questions. University students also maintained in-depth observation logs of their sessions and completed reflection papers based on their experiences. This enabled the gathering of in-depth qualitative data about the program and the experiences of those involved. Preliminary quantitative (e.g., paired t -tests) results show that older adult participants reported higher social engagement scores ( t =-15.35, p