Intergenerational service learning: linking three generations: concept, history, and outcome assessment

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Community Health
• Sociology

Background:

• The Foundation for Long Term Care initiated a novel service-learning model in 2006.
• This model shifted from youth-serving elders to intergenerational collaboration.
• It aligns with Erikson's generativity theory and growing elder civic engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of intergenerational service learning.
• To examine the impact of volunteerism and health on older adults.
• To evaluate outcomes of diverse service-learning projects involving elders and students.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical service-learning models.
• Analysis of research on volunteerism and elder health.
• Summary and evaluation of projects across five academic institutions.

Main Results:

• Intergenerational service learning fosters civic engagement and generativity in older adults.
• Participant satisfaction was evaluated across diverse projects.
• Challenges in evaluating varied service-learning outcomes were identified.

Conclusions:

• Intergenerational service learning offers a valuable framework for elder engagement.
• The model supports Erikson's concept of generativity.
• Future research should address evaluation methodologies for diverse community projects.