Participants in an intergenerational school volunteer program (26 adults over 60) completed memory instruments at 3 time periods. The effect of program participating on actual and perceived memory function varied with age and educational level. Dramatic positive mood changes were noted for those over 70 and those who were college educated. (SK)

Examines childrens' (N=71) perceptions and attitudes about aging and older adults. Results indicate that children do not view aging negatively as adults assume. Children were positively affected by interactions with older adults, described physical signs of aging without judgment, and responded negatively to some of the unpleasant conditions…

Observations and interviews were conducted of 36 older adult volunteers in preschool classrooms. Volunteers brought a familial dimension to the setting and modeled behaviors for children. Their styles were not consistent with professional standards but complemented those of early childhood educators. (Contains 25 references.) (SK)

Describes the programs and activities of Generations Together, an agency that promotes mutually beneficial interactions between young and old. Lists six program elements and discusses outcomes. (CH)

Residential, familial, and recreational patterns of contemporary U.S. society tend to isolate the young from the old. Sensitivity to this isolation has prompted many human service agencies to seek ways to promote opportunities for constructive and ongoing interactions involving children and older persons. This paper provides insights and…

This paper provides an overview of the negative aspects of generational isolation and outlines the developmental needs shared by younger and older people. The paper cites intergenerational models, such as community centers, places of worship, colleges and universities, and nursing homes, in which generations interact in a substantive way. It…

The intergenerational field began in the early 1970s as a social phenomenon in response to several factors that were affecting America's children, youth, and older adults. This paper briefly surveys three aspects of intergenerational programs: history and development, public policy focus, and recent research initiatives. The multi-disciplinary…

The work-related and personal factors associated with the willingness and ability of older adults to remain as child care workers and the factors associated with leaving child care work were studied in a time-series design. Subjects were 534 persons aged 50 years and older who were working for pay as child care providers. Of these, 341 replied to…

Describes a program which provides opportunities for senior citizens to work with elementary school students of Shady Lane School. Information about the eight senior citizens involved, an evaluation of the program, recommendations and cautions for the future are included. (CM)

An intergenerational service-learning model to improve well-being of elderly nursing home residents involved 10 college students visiting 20 elderly nursing home residents and interacting with them socially. Interaction resulted in substantial improvements in the residents' psychosocial and physical conditions and in students' perceptions of…

This manual for the Children's Views on Aging (CVOA) questionnaire describes the instrument and administration and scoring procedures, details the analyses used in a study of childhood attitudes toward aging, and discusses instrument development. The CVOA is comprised of six sections. Section 1 elicits information about the cognitive and emotional…

In this paper, the discussion concerns the trainig of older adults for work as child caregivers. Four questions are addressed: (1) Why is child care a work option for the older worker? (2) What is the target population of older persons interested in preparing for this field of work? (3) How can adult learner characteristics be integrated into a…

The paper discusses some of the available curricula on the aging, their goals, their shared characteristics, and some outcomes of the curricula. Appearing in several formats for grades K-12 classroom use and including texts, videos, and workbooks, the curricula are presented as activities that may be integrated with other prescribed content. Each…

A study was undertaken to describe the experience of older volunteers in intergenerational programs in schools and to investigate the relationship between these volunteers' experience and life satisfaction. A cross-sectional design was used to analyze data collected from 350 senior citizen volunteers from three different sites. Data were collected…

One hundred-seventy elementary school children in Western Pennsylvania were involved in a pilot study to examine young children's views on aging and the elderly. Approximately half of these children were involved in the Senior Citizen School Volunteer Program which provided consistent classroom contact with a senior citizen resource person. The…