@article{f7509b08dfee45a08c6935a02fa77fdd,
title = "A pilot study of an intergenerational program for people in residential aged care with cognitive impairment and children from a co-located early learning centre during COVID-19",
abstract = "Intergenerational programs in residential aged care may improve well-being and combat loneliness and social isolation in older people with cognitive impairment. This pilot study investigated the effects of a semi-structured intergenerational group, including children from a co-located early learning centre and people living in residential aged care with cognitive impairment. This 9-week study used a mixed methods pre- and post-program design. Sessions were designed and delivered once per week by Occupational Therapists and took into account residents{\textquoteright} interests and children{\textquoteright}s developmental needs and interests, identified in pre-program interviews. Nine older people with cognitive impairment and 13 children participated. The program was well attended despite disruptions and complications caused by COVID-19 and weather conditions. Older people valued the opportunity to engage with the children. Children were observed to gain confidence in communicating and forming friendships with older people with different levels of ability. There did not appear to be any change in loneliness or neuropsychiatric symptoms. The intergenerational program benefited participants and received strong support from family members and staff of the early learning centre and aged care home.",
keywords = "dementia, aged care, Intergenerational, occupational therapy, Child Care/methods, communication, nursing home, cognitive impairment, intergenerational",
author = "D'Cunha, {Nathan M} and Helen Holloway and Breanna Cave and Stephanie Mulhall and Annaliese Blair and Katrina Anderson and {Castro De Jong}, Daniela and Susan Kurrle and Stephen Isbel",
note = "Funding Information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project was funded by the Bernard Curran Foundation and the Northern Sydney Local Health District. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2024. Funding Information: The authors would like to thank the participants, parents, and staff of IRT Kangara Water and The Y Early Learning Centre Belconnen. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project was funded by the Bernard Curran Foundation and the Northern Sydney Local Health District. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2024.",
year = "2024",
month = aug,
doi = "10.1177/14713012241235378",
language = "English",
volume = "23",
pages = "927--948",
journal = "Dementia",
issn = "1471-3012",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Ltd",
number = "6",
}