An intergenerational program with benefits

Illustrates how the director and teachers of a child care program and the staff of a residential nursing home facility collaborated to develop, implement, and evaluate an onsite intergenerational program. Describes program goals; recruitment plan; elder, staff, and teacher orientation; options for intergenerational activities; and program benefits. Article provides resources and suggestions for groups planning intergenerational programs. Preschool children (n = 38) who participated in the study were interviewed and asked a key question, "What do old people do?" Prior to participation in the program, 50% of the children responded with negative descriptors; after participating in the program for 1 year, all of the children responded with positive descriptors. Children's responses provide evidence that intergenerational programs can promote positive attitudes toward elders. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.