Evaluating Feasibility, Value and Characteristics of an Intergenerational Friendly Telephone Visit Program During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
; 31(5): 341-352, 2023 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2242368
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Volunteer organizations offer telephone outreach to older adults to relieve feelings of loneliness and to promote emotional well-being, though the feasibility, perceived value, and characteristics of the participant experience of these community interventions have not been well-studied. We examined these elements of an intergenerational college-based telephone call program during the Covid-19 pandemic.METHODS:
Community-dwelling older adults and undergraduate volunteers engaged in eight, weekly, 30-minute, unscripted telephone conversations. Feasibility criteria included enrollment, retention, and attendance rates. A rapid qualitative analysis of program evaluation responses was used to extract themes related to participants' experiences of the intervention.RESULTS:
Ten older adults (mean age [range] 74.53 [70-84] years, 88% women) and nine undergraduates were enrolled from February to August 2021, achieving recruitment targets and enrollment rates of 76.9% and 90%. Seven out of the 10 enrolled dyads completed the full series of eight telephone conversations and qualitative assessments over an average of 10.5 weeks. Most older adults who completed the call schedule valued the conversations as a source of social connection, noting the mutuality, respect, and broadened perspective that characterized their intergenerational relationships. Undergraduates described value in giving to others and in conversations that stimulated personal reflection and feelings of closeness. Undergraduates frequently described their experience as novel and broadening of their perspectives.CONCLUSION:
Though study completion rate and participant experience varied across dyads, we found qualitative evidence of perceived value, active relationship-building and broadened perspectives among many older adults and undergraduates who completed an intergenerational telephone program.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
Journal subject:
Geriatrics
/
Psychiatry
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.jagp.2022.12.190
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