TY - JOUR
T1 - A Survey of Intergenerational Programs in Australian Residential Aged Care Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AU - D'Cunha, Nathan M.
AU - Mulhall, Stephanie
AU - Holloway, Helen
AU - Gibson, Diane
AU - Anderson, Katrina
AU - Blair, Annaliese
AU - Bail, Kasia
AU - Castro De Jong, Daniela
AU - Kurrle, Susan
AU - Isbel, Stephen
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - People living in residential aged care homes in Australia often have limited opportunities for meaningful social engagement. The present study aimed to characterize the state of intergenerational programs in residential aged care within a nationwide Australian sample. A total of 572 valid survey responses were received. A large number of aged care homes had existing programs, but only 18.2% had active programs; 44.4% reported their programs as temporarily suspended, predominantly due to COVID-19. The most common activities included singing (67.8%), games (56.8%), reading (51.1%) and craft (41.5%). Mental health and wellbeing, opportunity to socialize, and connection with the community were considered as the main benefits. There is consensus on the benefits of well-placed programming and engagement. Several barriers and challenges to engagement exist, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Aged care homes need adequate information and support to increase their ability to offer intergenerational programs between residents and community members.
AB - People living in residential aged care homes in Australia often have limited opportunities for meaningful social engagement. The present study aimed to characterize the state of intergenerational programs in residential aged care within a nationwide Australian sample. A total of 572 valid survey responses were received. A large number of aged care homes had existing programs, but only 18.2% had active programs; 44.4% reported their programs as temporarily suspended, predominantly due to COVID-19. The most common activities included singing (67.8%), games (56.8%), reading (51.1%) and craft (41.5%). Mental health and wellbeing, opportunity to socialize, and connection with the community were considered as the main benefits. There is consensus on the benefits of well-placed programming and engagement. Several barriers and challenges to engagement exist, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Aged care homes need adequate information and support to increase their ability to offer intergenerational programs between residents and community members.
KW - aged care
KW - children
KW - intergenerational relations
KW - nursing home
KW - survey
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85162215170&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15350770.2023.2226663
DO - 10.1080/15350770.2023.2226663
M3 - Article
SN - 1535-0770
JO - Journal of Intergenerational Relationships
JF - Journal of Intergenerational Relationships
ER -