Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Sclinda Janssen

Keywords

Aging; Intergenerational Relations; Volunteers

Abstract

PROBLEM: By the year 2030, older adults who are 65 years of age or older will account for 20% of the US population (Center for Disease Control, 2008); however, the rate of successful aging has decreased 25% from 1998 to 2004 (McLaughlin, Connell, Heeringa, Li, &Roberts, 2009).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop an intergenerational program that will promote successful aging of older adults. METHOD: A literature review was conducted on older adults and successful aging using PubMed, OT search, CINAHL, AJOT, Google scholar, and textbooks. RESULTS: Researchers indicated that intergenerational programs promote successful aging and positive outcomes in children. An intergenerational program was designed based on the model of human occupation (MOHO). The program also uses Erikson’s theory of development and learning theories including pedagogy and gerogogy. The program is made up of three phases: preparing older adults for intergenerational programming, program implementation, and capstone of intergenerational program.

CONCLUSION: Occupational therapists can use this program in order to develop an intergenerational after school program in which the older adults volunteer and educate the youth on different leisure activities of interest. Implementation of this program will increase successful aging in older adults and also have a positive impact on the children who participate. It is recommended that an occupational therapist implement this grant- funded intergenerational program in a rural community and conduct research on wellness outcomes for both older adults and children.

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