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

Gail Kenning, Nicole Ee, Ying Xu, Billy L. Luu, Stephanie A. Ward, Micah B. Goldwater, Ebony Lewis, Katrina Radford, Kaarin J. Anstey, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Janna Anneke Fitzgerald, Kenneth Rockwood and Ruth Peters
Additional contact information
Gail Kenning: fEEL-feltExperience & Empathy Lab., School of Art & Design, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Nicole Ee: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Ying Xu: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Billy L. Luu: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Stephanie A. Ward: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Micah B. Goldwater: Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Ebony Lewis: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Katrina Radford: Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
Kaarin J. Anstey: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Nicola T. Lautenschlager: Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
Janna Anneke Fitzgerald: Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
Kenneth Rockwood: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Ruth Peters: Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia

Social Sciences, 2021, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-30

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: intergenerational; social isolation; loneliness; older people; young children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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