Ruth Peters1, Nicole Ee2, Stephanie A Ward3, Gail Kenning4, Katrina Radford5, Micah Goldwater6, Hiroko H Dodge7, Ebony Lewis8, Ying Xu2, George Kudrna9, Myra Hamilton10, Jean Peters11, Kaarin J Anstey2, Nicola T Lautenschlager12, Anneke Fitzgerald5, Kenneth Rockwood13. 1. School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia, Neuroscience Research Australia, Australia. Electronic address: r.peters@neura.edu.au. 2. School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia. 3. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales, Australia. 4. Ageing Futures Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia. 5. Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith University, Australia. 6. Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia. 7. Department of Neurology, Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Oregon Health & Science University, USA. 8. School of Public Health and Community Medicine., University of New South Wales, Australia. 9. Business School, University of New South Wales, Australia. 10. University of Sydney, Australia. 11. School of Health and Related Research University of Sheffield Regent Court 30 Regent Street Sheffield S1 4DA UK. 12. Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; NorthWestern Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia. 13. Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social isolation is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, including functional decline, cognitive decline, and dementia. Intergenerational engagement, i.e. structured or semi structured interactions between non-familial older adults and younger generations is emerging as a tool to reduce social isolation in older adults and to benefit children and adults alike. This has great potential for our communities, however, the strength and breadth of the evidence for this is unclear. We undertook a systematic review to summarise the existing evidence for intergenerational interventions with community dwelling non-familial older adults and children, to identify the gaps and to make recommendations for the next steps. METHODS: Medline, Embase and PsychInfo were searched from inception to the 28th Sept 2020. Articles were included if they reported research studies evaluating the use of non-familial intergenerational interaction in community dwelling older adults. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020175927 RESULTS: Twenty articles reporting on 16 studies were included. Although all studies reported positive effects in general, numerical outcomes were not recorded in some cases, and outcomes and assessment tools varied and were administered un-blinded. Caution is needed when making interpretations about the efficacy of intergenerational programmes for improving social, health and cognitive outcomes. DISCUSSION: Overall, there is neither strong evidence for nor against community based intergenerational interventions. The increase in popularity of intergenerational programmes alongside the strong perception of potential benefit underscores the urgent need for evidence-based research.
BACKGROUND: Social isolation is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, including functional decline, cognitive decline, and dementia. Intergenerational engagement, i.e. structured or semi structured interactions between non-familial older adults and younger generations is emerging as a tool to reduce social isolation in older adults and to benefit children and adults alike. This has great potential for our communities, however, the strength and breadth of the evidence for this is unclear. We undertook a systematic review to summarise the existing evidence for intergenerational interventions with community dwelling non-familial older adults and children, to identify the gaps and to make recommendations for the next steps. METHODS: Medline, Embase and PsychInfo were searched from inception to the 28th Sept 2020. Articles were included if they reported research studies evaluating the use of non-familial intergenerational interaction in community dwelling older adults. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020175927 RESULTS: Twenty articles reporting on 16 studies were included. Although all studies reported positive effects in general, numerical outcomes were not recorded in some cases, and outcomes and assessment tools varied and were administered un-blinded. Caution is needed when making interpretations about the efficacy of intergenerational programmes for improving social, health and cognitive outcomes. DISCUSSION: Overall, there is neither strong evidence for nor against community based intergenerational interventions. The increase in popularity of intergenerational programmes alongside the strong perception of potential benefit underscores the urgent need for evidence-based research.
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