Purpose: Multiple methods have been suggested for quantifying syntactic complexity in speech. We compared eight automated syntactic complexity metrics to determine which best captured verified syntactic differences between old and young adults. Method: We used natural speech samples produced in a picture description task by younger (n = 76, ages…

Interaction between generations is diminishing and fostering intergenerational contact can benefit both parties involved. The aim of this qualitative study was to develop a deeper understanding of the meaning of participating in an intergenerational oral history project using a phenomenological approach. Undergraduate students (n = 21) interviewed…

Nationally, social work students face limited access to clinical education that examines the intersection of older adults, chronic disease, and mental health. This is critical due to a rapidly aging population and a shortage of geriatrics trained social workers. Scant data exists on the effectiveness of clinical simulations to prepare social work…

This article presents an interdisciplinary collaboration to address the needs of older adults at risk of social isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. An intergenerational service-learning program developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging was offered to several universities across the state of Pennsylvania. The authors share their…

Stay-at-home orders and public health safety concerns precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic facilitated rapid changes in policy and reimbursement regulations and resulted in the sudden uptake of telehealth in mental health practices across the United States. This study explored how mental health service providers experienced the use of telehealth…

Social isolation and loneliness are important issues for older adults. This paper discusses a program called NeverTechLate (NTL) that was created to combat these issues by providing digital literacy education and by promoting the use of tablets and video conferencing technology to empower older adults. This program involved using the feedback from…

Purpose: This study examines the effect of age on language use with an automated analysis of digitized speech obtained from semistructured, narrative speech samples. Method: We examined the Cookie Theft picture descriptions produced by 37 older and 76 young healthy participants. Using modern natural language processing and automatic speech…