Intergenerational Communication Among Older Adults and Children

Abstract

Older adults living in long-term care facilities are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop depression as compared to older adults living in society (Jongenelis, 2004). This doctoral capstone experience aimed to improve quality life and overall mood and to promote socialization of older adults living in long-term care facilities through the use of an intergenerational pen-pal program. Residents were deemed eligible to participate if they had a current score of a 13-15 on the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS), indicating intact cognition. There were 18 eligible and willing participants, 15 females and three males. The pen-pal program consisted of six-weeks of communication between the participants and a third-grade class. Participants took a pre- and post- quality of life survey and reported their weekly moods to the capstone student. Overall, 50% of participants had an increase in their quality of life and 48% of participants had an increase in their overall happiness.