Supporting mealtime participation among people living with dementia at home: Challenges and strategies for caregivers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Approximately 60% of people living with dementia at home are unable to routinely participate in mealtime activities (e.g., eating, safe food preparation), warranting assistance to ensure people with dementia meet their health and nutritional needs. The purpose of this study was to characterize these barriers to mealtime participation and identify potential caregiver-led strategies to enhance mealtime activities. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a qualitative descriptive approach and obtained semi-structured interview data from (a) allied health professionals and (b) community-based nutrition program providers who frequently serve people with dementia. Interview data were examined by means of directed content analysis and framework methodology until data saturation was reached. Codes from our analysis were categorized according to constructs drawn from the Socio-Ecological Model for Developing and Implementing Comprehensive Dementia Care. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 20 participants who attributed common mealtime participation barriers to: impairments in functional status, cognitive status deficits, a lack of caregiver knowledge and skills, and unsafe living conditions. Caregiver-led strategies to overcome these barriers included: reducing auditory and visual distractions, providing written cues to perform mealtime activities, eliminating clutter and fall risk hazards, and leveraging community-based nutrition program providers (e.g., home-delivered meal providers). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: People with dementia face several eating and mealtime participation obstacles. Caregiver-led strategies implemented by family, friends, or community-based nutrition program providers may enhance mealtime activities at home. Findings point to opportunities to develop decision-making tools and resources for caregivers to optimize the health and nutrition of people with dementia.

Anti-Ageism for Gerontologists.

We argue that gerontologists are products of our ageist culture and that we both perpetuate ageism and suffer from internalized ageism ourselves. We make ageist comments, deny our own age, fail to teach students to recognize and confront ageism, and use language that otherizes and categorizes older people. Gerontologists are in ideal positions to confront ageism through our scholarly work, teaching, and community engagement. However, we suggest that, despite our deep gerontological knowledge, we do not have enough awareness, knowledge, and skills for taking anti-ageism actions in these arenas of our professional lives. We offer some suggestions for confronting ageism, including self-study, increasing content on ageism in the classroom and beyond, pointing out ageist language and behaviors to colleagues and students, working with diversity, equity and inclusion offices on campus, and giving careful consideration to our research approaches and academic writing. To go forward, we must increase awareness about ageism and gain skills in promoting anti-ageism.

Shared Site Intergenerational Programs: A National Profile.

Shared site intergenerational programs deliver ongoing services and shared programming to youth and older adults in a single setting. With the potential to benefit youth, older adults, families, and communities, they attract growing attention from practitioners, researchers, funders, and policy makers. Using national survey data we profile characteristics of 95 shared sites. Responding programs connected over 25,000 youth and older persons in 2017. The most common models consisted of adult day services and early childhood programs (i.e., preschool or childcare), though unique models offered diverse opportunities. Current priorities and challenges can be addressed with systematic data collection and access to resources, including incentives in the 2020 reauthorized Older Americans Act.

Americans prefer to receive care where multiple generations are served.Shared site intergenerational models vary; child and adult day programs are common.Practitioners need access to evaluation, interprofessional, and programming resources.The reauthorized Older Americans Act can help address the needs of shared site programs.

Intergenerational Programming Increases Solid Food Consumption for Adult Day Center Attendees.

We examined whether participation in intergenerational programming would impact daily food and liquid intake for adult day service center (ADSC) participants, many of whom are at risk for malnutrition and dehydration. Data came from 75 ADSC participants who, on average, attended the center for 472.32 days between 2007 and 2018. We analyzed daily data using multilevel modeling, nesting attending days within ADSC participants. On days when participants joined intergenerational programming, they consumed significantly more solid food (ß = 1.54, SD = .37, p < .001), but no different liquid (ß = -.16, SD = .09, p = .06), than their own average across all days they attended the ADSC. Intergenerational programming may be an effective way to support ADSCs participants' nutrition. Future research is needed to determine the longer-term health benefits of daily increases in food consumption and to explore why intergenerational programming may differentially impact eating and drinking.

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.

Extending the Together, We Inspire Smart Eating Curriculum to Intergenerational Nutrition Education: A Pilot Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made accessing nutritious foods difficult for older adults and children living in low-income households. The evidence-based preschool nutrition education curriculum Together, We Inspire Smart Eating (WISE) can be used to encourage children to try healthy foods. Written as a single generation curriculum, inviting older adult community members to WISE programming for an intergenerational experience may provide further supports and mutual benefits as participants cooperate towards a common goal. While creators have evaluated implementation of WISE, research has yet to explore factors that influence WISE adoption within an intergenerational setting. We conducted a pilot study using the implementation evaluation framework to explore WISE implementation within single generation and intergenerational settings by measuring five implementation outcomes (fidelity, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and sustainability) through three methods: (1) direct assessment of program fidelity via video coding; (2) indirect assessment of stakeholders' perceptions of WISE implementation, and (3) a directed qualitative content analysis on annual interview data. Fidelity scores were comparable between the two settings and stakeholder ratings of appropriateness, acceptability, and feasibility of WISE were high. Qualitative data revealed that aspects of WISE are less appropriate for older participants and reiterated known logistical barriers of intergenerational programming that may challenge program sustainability.

Implementing Intergenerational Best Practices in Community-Based Settings: A Preliminary Study.

Evidence-based intergenerational (IG) programs bring youth and older adults together in shared activities and promote socioemotional health across age-groups. The core components of these IG programs include 14 IG "best practices" that should be implemented during IG program sessions to optimize program effectiveness for both youth and older adult participants. Despite the proliferation of IG programs across the United States, it is unclear the extent to which these IG best practices have been implemented in the community. This preliminary study assesses the implementation of IG best practices at two community-based sites by program leaders who participated in a multifaceted professional education intervention for IG best practice use. Implementation of best practices was measured through the Best Practices Checklist completed by program leaders and trained coders as well as through narrative written comments. Program leaders indicated that they were able to consistently implement six out of the 14 IG best practices in 46 IG sessions, whereas the best practice named "Adaptations to equipment were made" was least likely to be implemented. Analysis of narrative comments indicated that (a) the group arrangement of participants and (b) program leaders' familiarity with activities also influenced implementation. While many IG best practices can be implemented in the community, some best practices can be implemented with greater ease and consistency. Training resources can support IG best practice implementation; however, our multifaceted professional education intervention may benefit from the addition of case examples or vignettes to depict potential strategies for optimizing evidence-based IG practices.

Program Practices Predict Intergenerational Interaction Among Children and Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intergenerational programs, those engaging youth and adults of nonadjacent generations in shared programming for mutual benefit, are attracting increasing attention from funders, policymakers, and practitioners for the range of goals they can support. The mechanisms by which these goals are achieved are rarely studied. To address this gap, we analyzed the associations between specific intergenerational implementation practices and younger and older participant outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Activity leaders at 5 sites serving adults and preschoolers received training to implement 14 evidence-based practices during intergenerational activities involving 84 adults (M = 75.25 years; range = 55-98) and 105 preschool participants (M = 3.26 years; range = 2-5) over 4 years. Measures of activity leaders' implementation of these practices and participants' behavioral responses to programming were gathered. We utilized multilevel modeling to test whether variations in implementation of practices were associated with variations in participants' responses to programming on a session-by-session basis. RESULTS: For both preschool and adult participants, analyses revealed that the implementation of certain practices was associated with significantly more intergenerational interaction. When more practices were implemented reflecting factors of (a) participant pairing and (b) person-centered care, both child and adult intergenerational interactions were higher. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Practices used by intergenerational activity leaders during programming help to explain within-person responses of both child and adult participants. Intergenerational relationships may be a powerful means to achieve diverse goals; they depend on skillful practice by trained activity leaders.

Increasing the Power of Intergenerational Programs: Advancing an Evaluation Tool.

Intergenerational practitioners responding to a 2018 national survey identified a need for evidence-informed evaluation tools to measure program impact. The Best Practices (BP) Checklist, a 14-item (yes/no) measure assessing the extent to which an intergenerational program session maintained effective intergenerational strategies, may help meet this need. Yet, researchers have not validated the measure. In this study, we begin the empirical validation process by completing an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the BP Checklist to offer insight into possible item reduction and an underlying latent factor structure. Using BP Checklist data from 132 intergenerational activities, we found a 13-item, 3-factor structure, reflecting dimensions of: (a) pairing intergenerational participants, (b) person-centered strategies (e.g., selecting activities reflecting participants' interests), and (c) staff knowledge of participants. Our study represents a foundational step toward optimizing intergenerational program evaluation, thereby enhancing programming quality.

Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Intergenerational Programming: A Scoping Review.

Evidence-based intergenerational practices are sought by practitioners interested in the potential value of intergenerational programs. These are often difficult to identify as intergenerational program research frequently consists of small samples and pre-post analyses of attitudinal data with little attention to implementation characteristics. We systematically identified evidence-based intergenerational practices linked to program outcomes from peer-reviewed journal articles (n = 21) published between 2000 and 2019. Scoping reviews facilitate synthesis of available evidence-based practices and identification of gaps in the literature. Fifteen evidence-based intergenerational practices were identified; each was coded in at least five articles. The practices informed program content (e.g., using technology), program considerations (e.g., environmental modifications), facilitator and participant preparation (e.g., training), and quality interactions among participants (e.g., incorporating mechanisms of friendship). While these identified practices reflect extant theory and research, rigorous implementation research is needed to advance evidence-based intergenerational practice as policymakers and practitioners advocate for intergenerational program growth.

Determinants of Fall Prevention Guideline Implementation in the Home- and Community-Based Service Setting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Home- and community-based service (HCBS) recipients often possess multiple fall risk factors, suggesting that the implementation of evidence-based fall prevention guidelines may be appropriate for the HCBS setting. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the determinants of fall prevention guideline implementation and the potential strategies that can support implementation in HCBS organizations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Semistructured interview and focus group data were collected from 26 HCBS professionals representing the home-delivered meals, personal care, and wellness programs. Qualitative codes were mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research by means of directed content analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist was used to report the findings of this study. RESULTS: We identified 7 major determinants of guideline implementation: recipient needs and resources, cosmopolitanism, external policy and incentives, networks and communication, compatibility, available resources, and knowledge/beliefs. Strategies to support guideline implementation included the involvement of recipient and caregiver feedback, building fall prevention networks, and conducting educational meetings for HCBS staff. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Falls and fall-related injuries will continue to plague the older adult community unless innovative approaches to fall prevention are developed and adopted. The implementation of fall prevention guidelines in the HCBS setting can help mitigate fall risk among a highly vulnerable older adult population and may be facilitated through the application of multifaceted implementation strategies.

Addressing Children's Nutritional Needs with Community-Based Participatory Action Research.

BACKGROUND: The absence of consistent, reliable, culturally appropriate access to nutritious food places children's development at risk. Nutrition education programming that is delivered using intergenerational strategies may help optimize children's access, consumption, and knowledge of healthy foods. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to present the development, implementation and lessons learned from the first year of Food for a Long Life (FFLL) programming-an intergenerational community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) project joining Extension staff, researchers, and community partners to increase families' knowledge, access, and consumption regarding healthy food in a food insecure community. Preschoolers, their family members, and older adults were recruited from two preschools and one adult day services center. METHODS: Collaborations with community stakeholders informed the development and implementation of intergenerational nutrition education delivered during FFLL programming. Preschoolers, families, and older adults participated in twenty-six nutrition education sessions during the programming year. Parents of preschoolers completed the Household Food Security Survey (HHFS) and the Healthy Kids measure. Semistructured interview data from staff were also collected upon the conclusion of programming. RESULTS: Preschoolers and their families were found to have marginal food security but relatively healthy eating behaviors. Staff believed FFLL programming enhanced preschoolers' eating behaviors (e.g., increased willingness to try new foods). Continued collaborations with community partners were viewed as essential to program success. CONCLUSIONS: Relationship-building among intergenerational community members, Extension staff, and university researchers strengthens trust and may expand the reach of FFLL programming and research components.

Social Capital Among Black South African Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren.

While the significance of social capital to the well-being of black South African grandmothers raising grandchildren has been well documented, few studies have systemically investigated the sources, types, and patterns of use of social capital in this population. The aim of the current qualitative study is to use the social capital framework to explore how 75 grandmothers accessed and utilized available social capital (i.e., bridging, bonding, and linking) to enhance their own and their families' well-being. Results from a thematic analysis revealed an inside-out pattern of social capital; bonding and bridging social capital were the most significant sources of immediate support for grandmothers, with relatives providing emotional and instrumental support and neighbors and friends mainly providing informational support. Linking capital (i.e., government and community leaders) helped grandmothers access public resources. Implications for policy and practice are addressed.

Developing a Set of Uniform Outcome Measures for Adult Day Services.

Adult day services (ADS) provide care to adults with physical, functional, and/or cognitive limitations in nonresidential, congregate, community-based settings. ADS programs have emerged as a growing and affordable approach within the home and community-based services sector. Although promising, the growth of ADS has been hampered by a lack of uniform outcome measures and data collection protocols. In this article, the authors detail a recent effort by leading researchers and practitioners in ADS to develop a set of uniform outcome measures. Based upon three recent efforts to develop outcome measures, selection criteria were established and an iterative process was conducted to debate the merits of outcome measures across three domains-participant well-being, caregiver well-being, and health care utilization. The authors conclude by proposing a uniform set of outcome measures to (a) standardize data collection, (b) aid in the development of programming, and (c) facilitate the leveraging of additional funding for ADS.

Using Contact Theory to Assess Staff Perspectives on Training Initiatives of an Intergenerational Programming Intervention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Project TRIP (Transforming Relationships through Intergenerational Programs) was developed as a sustainable intergenerational community project involving child care participants and elders attending an elder care program or volunteering at the children's program. The project focused on staff development of evidence-based intergenerational practices. To enhance available intervention research, contact theory provided a theoretical framework to explore how staff members' and administrators' perceptions of the intervention influenced their ability to implement programming in social care settings. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a directed content analysis approach to analyze small group and individual interviews with 32 participants from 6 program sites over 5 years. RESULTS: Participants highlighted inherent challenges and subsequent benefits of academic-community partnerships. Greater on-site presence, open communication, and relationship-building proved critical to improve community partnerships, project fidelity, and program sustainability. When interactions reflected contact theory tenets, collaborators reported positive attitudes toward and interactions with research partners. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Contact theory provided a useful framework to understand the researcher-practitioner partnership. Researchers should plan for partnerships that: (a) are supported by authority figures, including staff and participants, (b) utilize a shared expertise approach where partners have equal group status, (c) involve close cooperation; (d) align research and program goals, and (e) foster positive communication through frequent contact using practitioners' preferred methods and including in-person contact. We recommend future intergenerational programming interventions build on a foundation of both theory and practice.

Measuring dimensions of intergenerational contact: factor analysis of the Queen's University Scale.

OBJECTIVES: Intergenerational contact has been linked to a range of health outcomes, including greater engagement and lower depression. Measures of contact are limited. Informed by Allport's contact theory, the Queen's University Scale consists of items rating contact with elders. We administered the survey to a young adult sample (N = 606) to identify factors that may optimize intervention programming and enhance young persons' health as they age. METHODS: We conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in the structural equation modeling framework and then confirmatory factor analysis with items pertaining to the general elder population. RESULTS: EFAs did not yield an adequate factor structure. We tested two alternative confirmatory models based on findings from the EFA. Neither a second-order model nor a first-order model allowing double loadings and correlated errors proved adequate. CONCLUSION: Difficulty finding an adequate factor solution reflects challenges to measuring intergenerational contact with this scale. Items reflect relevant topics but subscale models are limited in interpretability. Knox and colleagues' analyses led them to recommend a brief, global scale, but we did not find empirical support for such a measure. Next steps include development and testing of a reliable, valid scale measuring dimensions of contact as perceived by both youth and elders.

Feasibility of an electronic participant information system for adult day services: A qualitative study of staff perspectives.

Adult day services (ADS) professionals have begun to explore assessment systems focused on participants. Barriers include inadequate technology, software costs, and personnel requirements. We present data from staff interviews at an ADS with an electronic participant information system. Contrary to reports about difficulties learning to use electronic systems, staff found the system manageable and data meaningful. We identify ways that community-based centers can build partnerships and utilize software to integrate assessment and electronic records to improve center performance and participant outcomes. ADS programs should explore how outcome data systems can be used to improve care, promote family caregiver engagement, optimize staff workload, and promote fiscal stability.