Connecting Older Adults and Doctor of Physical Therapy Students Through a Community-Based Exercise Program: A Qualitative Study

The purpose of this qualitative study was to develop an understanding of the perspectives of older adults regarding their experiences participating in a service learning project with doctor of physical therapy students engaged in an integrated clinical experience (ICE). The students designed and implemented individualized fitness plans for older adult participants. A descriptive phenomenological approach obtained the perspectives of 16 older adults. Six themes emerged from the thematic analysis: blending of the generations, it motivated me, I can do it now, mental and social boost, program tailored to me, and learn and modify habits. Participant interviews highlighted how older adults valued the relationships with students, and how the intergenerational environment of the program benefited their physical, social, and mental well-being. These findings support existing literature on intergenerational programs, but this is one of the few studies that looked specifically at an intergenerational ICE experience from the perspective of the participants. Older adults perceived physical, functional, social, and mental health benefits from an integrated clinical education (ICE) experience, finding the intergenerational interactions with students to be motivating, educational, and fulfilling.Doctor of physical therapy educators engaged in developing ICE experiences need to understand the social and mental health benefits of an intergenerational experience for both older adults and college students.The older adult and the student collaborative roles can be emphasized through ICE experiences. Older adults in these programs should be encouraged to acknowledge their contributions to the partnership and share their personal experiences.