Intergenerational programming during the pandemic: Transformation during (constantly) changing times.

Intergenerational programs have long been employed to reduce ageism and optimize youth and older adult development. Most involve in-person meetings, which COVID-19 arrested. ​​Needs for safety and social contact were amplified during COVID-19, leading to modified programming that engaged generations remotely rather than eliminating it. Our collective case study incorporates four intergenerational programs in five US states prior to and during COVID-19. Each aims to reduce ageism, incorporating nutrition education, technology skills, or photography programming. Authors present case goals, participants, implementation methods, including responses to COVID-19, outcomes, and lessons learned. Technology afforded opportunities for intergenerational connections; non-technological methods also were employed. Across cases, programmatic foci were maintained through adaptive programming. Community partners' awareness of immediate needs facilitated responsive programming with universities, who leveraged unique resources. While new methods and partnerships will continue post-pandemic, authors concurred that virtual contact cannot fully substitute for in-person relationship-building. Remote programming maintained ties between groups ready to resume shared in-person programming as soon as possible; they now have tested means for responding to routine or novel cancellations of in-person programming. Able to implement in-person and remote intergenerational programming, communities can fight ageism and pursue diverse goals regardless of health, transportation, weather, or other restrictions.

The Association Between Social Network and Fear of COVID-19 Among Older Adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions pose a significant health threat to older adults. Fear of COVID-19 is associated with increased disease transmission and numerous psychosocial health challenges. While social support has been studied extensively in gerontological literature, there is a gap in understanding how social networks influence fear of COVID-19. This study drew from a convenience sample of 239 adults 60+ years of age in the United States who completed a 20-min survey. Regression results indicate that higher social network was significantly associated with decreased fear of COVID-19. Identifying as female and as an ethnic minority were associated with increased fear of COVID-19. These findings document the need for social workers to promote enhanced social networks in reducing fear of COVID-19 among older adults and attend to disparate levels of fear among older women and people of color.

The Association Between Online Social Network Support and Fear of COVID-19 Among Older Adults

Public health concerns related to the COVID-19 health crisis are particularly salient among older adults. Fear surrounding COVID-19 has also been associated with increased spread, morbidity, and mortality of the disease. Prior to the pandemic, loneliness and social isolation were already a concern for older adults, and the pandemic further constrained how older adults may socially connect with others because of public health safety precautions. Online social networks are a valuable form of support for older adults, and usage of online social networks during the pandemic may have expanded. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the association between online social networks and fear of COVID-19 among older adults. A convenience sample (n = 239) of adults 60+ years of age in the U.S. completed a 20-minute, online survey. The independent variable utilized the Lubben Social Network Scale (four items), focusing on online support. The dependent variable was measured by the Fear of COVID-19 scale (eight items). Results of ordinary least squares regression show that increased online social network support was significantly associated with decreased fear of COVID-19 (p < 0.05), while holding constant age, sex, race, marital status, education, whether a respondent lives alone, and self-rated health. Findings highlight the importance of online social networks for older adults during the COVID-19 crisis. Existing online networks which engage older adults should be expanded, and efforts should be made to provide older adults with online forms of social support who may experience barriers or inequities related to accessing technology.

The Photography and Memory Project: Adapting an Intergenerational Program During a Global Pandemic

Since 2019, a university-community partnership has connected undergraduate students with older adults from independent living and community-based settings (i.e., library, art museum) for a photography-based intergenerational program. This study compares the implementation and impacts of this photography-based intergenerational program both in an in-person format before the COVID-19 pandemic (n=34) and an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=25). Pre- and post- results from older adult and undergraduate student participants regarding social connection and evaluation comments from program participants and staff were compared between the pre-pandemic, in-person format, and the same program’s offering the next year in a virtual format. Results indicate that the benefits of this intergenerational photography program were experienced at a similar level during and before COVID-19. Findings demonstrate that intergenerational programs could effectively continue in remote formats, while also identifying potential challenges in implementation for staff regarding managing logistics and maintaining engagement among participants.