A Prospective Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study of Program Evaluation in an Intergenerational Program: Intergenerational Interactions and Program Satisfactions Involving Non-Frail, Frail, Cognitively Impaired Older Adults, and School Aged-Children

Abstract

A prospective longitudinal mixed-method study was undertaken to evaluate an intergenerational community program involving older adults and school aged-children. Data were collected from nine children, and 18 non-frail, frail, and cognitively impaired older adults. Quantitative data collected from intergenerational interactions and self-ratings (0–10) assessed program satisfaction, while qualitative data included 89 session observations, and then both were integrated. Findings suggested that non-frail older adults interacted more verbally with children while the frail and cognitively impaired adults had mainly passive non-verbal interactions. The results indicated that promoting linguistic, emotional, and positive experiences for both generations led to their meaningful and satisfying relationships.