“Otherwise We Would Be like an Island”: A Phenomenological Understanding of Intergenerational Engagement Aimed at Reducing Social Isolation

ABSTRACT

This phenomenological study involved individual, unstructured interviews with older adults. Eleven participants were recruited from independent living, assisted living, and community center settings. The study was guided by three overarching research aims: 1) To understand if and how intergenerational engagement helps reduce social isolation and loneliness for older adults 2) to understand how intergenerational experiences may have changed over time, and 3) to identify specific barriers, facilitators, benefits, and best practices of intergenerational engagement among older adults. Results revealed important themes related to increasing age segregation, the potential impacts of internalized ageism, and a need for small group or one-on-one intergenerational opportunities.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational
• phenomenology
• loneliness
• social isolation
• internalized ageism

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank community partners from LinkAGES Colorado, Kavod Senior Life, Clermont Park Life Plan Community, and the Denver Jewish Community Center for their collaboration. We would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their very helpful feedback and recommendations on this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.