Miss Lysha Lee1,2, A/ Prof Patricia Nicholson1, Dr Katrin Gerber2,3, Prof Alison M Hutchinson1,4
1Deakin University, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Centre for Quality and Patient Safety, Institute for Health Transformation, Burwood, Australia, 2National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Australia, 3RMIT University, School of Media and Communication, Melbourne, Australia, 4Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
Biography:
Lysha Lee is a PhD candidate in Applied Health Services in Aging & Aged Care, on a joint scholarship between Deakin University & the National Ageing Research Institute. She completed her Honours in Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests include mental health across the lifespan, the wellbeing of older adults, aged care, and the chosen topic of her PhD thesis – intergenerational practice. She is also a Research and Evaluation Officer at Swinburne University’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults and sits on the advisory council of the Australian Institute of Intergenerational Practice.
Abstract:
The prevalence of social isolation, loneliness and poor mental health among older adults in aged care homes is significant. To address these issues, intergenerational programs have emerged as promising interventions, facilitating mutually beneficial interactions between individuals of diverse age groups. While empirical evidence suggests that such programs may yield wide-ranging benefits not only for older adults but also for young participants and staff involved, ineffective implementation of such initiatives can also result in suboptimal and potentially negative outcomes for participants and service providers.
A realist approach was employed to identify the mechanisms and contextual factors that underpin the efficacy of these complex social interventions. This research combines a realist review of the literature with a realist evaluation of one of Australia’s first shared-roof intergenerational facilities, where an aged care home and early learning centre are co-located. The case study involved expert and stakeholder interviews, staff observations, and an analysis of policy and procedure documents.
A list of evidence-based program theories derived from the review and evaluation are presented in the form of context-mechanism-outcome configurations, addressing what works, for whom, under what circumstances, and how intergenerational programs enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of aged care residents and staff. A conceptual framework for intergenerational programming in aged care settings is developed.
These findings underscore the potential of intergenerational programs to address mental health and wellbeing in aged care settings, and can be used to develop intergenerational initiatives and policy to maximize their positive impact on aged care residents.