Using art in an intergenerational program to improve students' attitudes toward people with dementia

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Higher Education
• Art Therapy

Background:

• College students often hold misconceptions about dementia.
• Intergenerational programs can foster empathy and understanding.
• Service learning provides practical experience and personal growth opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the Opening Mind through Arts (OMA) intergenerational service learning program on college students' attitudes toward individuals with dementia.
• To assess changes in students' knowledge, comfort levels, and overall attitudes after participating in the OMA program.
• To determine if participation in OMA influences the degree of attitude change regarding dementia.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was used with 156 college students participating in the OMA program.
• The Dementia Attitude Scale was administered pre- and post-program to measure attitude changes.
• Students were paired one-on-one with elders experiencing dementia, meeting weekly for a semester to support art creation.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in students' overall attitudes toward people with dementia.
• Students reported increased comfort levels and knowledge regarding dementia.
• The OMA program demonstrated a positive effect on students' attitudes and confidence in interacting with individuals with dementia.

Conclusions:

• Intergenerational service learning, exemplified by the OMA program, is effective in enhancing college students' attitudes toward people with dementia.
• The program fosters greater confidence and comfort in students when engaging with individuals living with dementia.
• OMA highlights the value of experiential learning in bridging generational gaps and improving perceptions of dementia.