Hospitality Management Students' Knowledge and Attitudes about the Elderly and Their Preferences in Working with or for the Elderly

Abstract

This study surveyed college students majoring in hospitality management at a Midwestern university to examine their knowledge and attitudes about aging and the elderly and their work preferences and behavioral intentions toward working with older employees and working for organizations that provide products and services to elderly clients. Students who had internship experiences with the elderly had more positive attitudes than those who did not have such internship experiences. Students who held positive attitudes toward the elderly were significantly more likely to choose a career working with the elderly. This study reveals that hospitality educators need to develop more effective educational interventions to prepare students to work with the elderly employees and work for elderly clients.