Perceived Benefits and Concerns of Older Adults in a Community Intergenerational Program: Does Race Matter?

Abstract

To maximize the success of intergenerational programs (IGPs), it is necessary to understand older adults’ concerns related to these programs and the benefits they perceive from their involvement. However, there is a lack of research that examines the perceptions of racial minority older adults’ involved in IGPs and sociodemographic predictors of IGPs outcomes. This study examined older adults’ (n = 195) perceptions of the Linking Intergenerational Networks in Communities (LINC) Project, an intergenerational program, in South Carolina, and explored whether outcomes varied by race. Findings suggest that older adults’ race and ethnicity were associated with a variety of perceived benefits and concerns in LINC.

The Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University collected this data. A special thanks goes to the communities, participants, organizations and staff who made LINC possible. The University of South Florida Institutional Review Board has approved this study. The protocol number for this study is 00005356. None of the authors have conflicts of interest related to this project.

Keywords:

• volunteering
• perceptions
• communication
• older adults
• race
• intergenerational programs

Notes

The Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University collected this data. A special thanks goes to the communities, participants, organizations and staff who made LINC possible. The University of South Florida Institutional Review Board has approved this study. The protocol number for this study is 00005356. None of the authors have conflicts of interest related to this project.