Intergenerational Theater Workshops as Unique Recreational Activities among Older Adults in Japanese Care Facilities: A Qualitatively Driven Mixed-Methods Multiple-Case Study Design

Michiko Abe, Ren Gyo, Junro Shibata, Kentaro Okazaki, Rumiko Inoue, Tatsuki Oishi and Machiko Inoue ()
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Michiko Abe: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan
Ren Gyo: Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
Junro Shibata: Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto 603-8577, Japan
Kentaro Okazaki: Community Medicine Education Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Rumiko Inoue: Care Styles Consulting, Osaka 541-0048, Japan
Tatsuki Oishi: Fringe Theatre Association, Kyoto 600-8445, Japan
Machiko Inoue: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Intergenerational theater activities have been recently employed in recreation for older adults. We held a series of four intergenerational theater workshops in two older adults’ care facilities in Japan and sought the experiences of older participants, younger participants, and the facility managers. With a qualitatively driven mixed-methods multiple-case study design, we obtained data from field observation, interviews with participants, and preworkshop and postworkshop changes on a well-being scale (Ikigai-9) among older participants, and the results of the two sites were compared. “Immediate effects” were seen in older adults because they responded actively and demonstrated surprising faculties during the workshop. Facility staff members and younger participants received “extended effects” because they gained new ideas regarding the remaining skills of older participants and a sense of reuniting with old neighbors through the exercise. In the Ikigai-9 scale, the items measuring “present happiness” significantly improved at Site 1 but not at Site 2. Better results at Site 1 might have been caused by the lower care needs of participants and the inclusion of children. Less support from facility staff members during the activities also might have promoted the voluntary participation of older adults. Involving children and engaging the facility staff in preparation could enhance the quality of activities.

Keywords: intergenerational activity; well-being; art-based recreation; theater; care settings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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