Professor Anneke Fitzgerald The Intergenerational Care Program Research evaluating an intergenerational learning model in Australia Presented by Professor Anneke Fitzgerald

Introduction Demographic changes require alternative forms of care Intergenerational care program is the purposeful coming together of younger and older persons Synergy between child care and community aged care is an opportunity for cost saving and allows for intergenerational learning As the population ages and the incidence of people with cognitive decline rises significantly, there is a need to address alternative forms of care that may delay people with cognitive decline entering residential care One potential alternative form of care is Intergenerational Care Programs Intergenerational care programs provide older adults and children care and social support programs, in the same setting for a specified period of time In Australia, intergenerational care is gaining support from the Australian media While this is potentially because of the changing demographic, economic and social needs, it may also be because of the anticipated synergies and cost savings between sharing child care and aged care resources

What we know about Intergenerational Programs: FOR CHILDREN Provide older adults with a sense of purpose Enhance the dignity experienced by older people Alter communities’ perceptions of older adults and the ageing process from negative to positive Improve the social outcomes of older people Encourage older people to remain living in their home longer Encourages older persons to reminisce FOR OLDER PEOPLE Provide and opportunity to learn from and connect with the older generation Helps improve the behaviour that children show towards older people in general Improvements in children’s pro-social behaviours of sharing, helping and cooperating Decrease likelihood of juvenile delinquency in later life

Background research Legislative requirements systematic review of current programs in Australia and overseas A review of existing aged care and child care qualifications a Delphi study on preferences for models of care and, a feasibility study into the demand for intergenerational care in the Australia context Globally intergenerational care programs have been in existence for many years While intergenerational care programs are well-established elsewhere, they are still in their infancy in Australia Based on this background, my colleagues and I are conducting an intergenerational care research project

Findings from our Background Research A study investigating the legislative requirements for both aged care and child care identified potential barriers in relation to two key areas: Workforce Built environment These potential barriers can be overcome with careful planning and consultation with participants, families, the community and industry experts. Workforce: Differences in staff competencies between the childcare and aged care workforces and qualifications specific to each area. There was also an identified potential for intergenerational care worker to prioritise child needs over older persons’ needs However, there is opportunity to create new career paths connecting child care and aged care certifications between the two workforces. Built environment: Design of the building and shared space compliance with both child care and aged care requirements including amenities such as laundries, bathrooms, toilets etc.

Findings from our Background Research Literature review revealed: The need for purposeful and meaningful curriculum Time sensitivity Play-based and sensory Appeal to both groups A review of literature revealed there is opportunity to develop a new educational framework designed specifically to: Offer meaningful reciprocal interactions between older adults and children Match adult educational needs with childrens’ needs to appeal to both groups Promote collective and individual learning processes which enhance mood, improve skills in literacy and knowledge, improved mobility, increased sense of worth in both older and younger participants Intergenerational care educational program need to be play-based, and rely on spontaneous interactions

Findings from our Background Research Panel of experts in our feasibility study identified two main alternative models of Intergenerational Care: Shared Campus Model – Aged day care and child day care centres offer their programs on the same site with shared infrastructure and facilities. The intergenerational care program is then provided in a multi-function room common to both aged care and child care facilities Visiting Campus Model – Centres are located separately and either children or older people are transported to the other site and intergenerational activities are held n that site for 1-2 hours, twice per week

Findings from our Background Research There was little detail in the literature about funding structure required, therefore a willingness to pay study was conducted to examine care preferences among a sample of 816 Australians. Findings revealed: There was demand for both visiting campus and co-located campus models. On average people were willing to pay more per session for both models. Parents were more likely to take up intergenerational care compared to the status quo, and adult carers reported a higher willingness to pay for these services.

What we don’t yet know What are the socio-economic measures that can provide evidence that intergenerational care is feasible, cost effective and sustainable in Australia? What are the effects of intergenerational learning on educational theory, ie the development of an eldergogy? What are the opportunities for the aged care and child care workforce in terms of career progression?

The Intergenerational Care Program trial Aim of the project is to evaluate two models of intergenerational learning programs within community day care settings to benefit older people and carers, and younger children (3-5 years old) The trial will be conducted across four intervention sites and two control sites located within QLD and NSW While the psychological benefits of intergenerational learning for children and older people are well recognised, our research will more specifically investigate the potential benefits for the research participants and their carers, and the potential benefits for workforce development and economic implications for the service providers and the broader community

Conclusion We believe that creating an intergenerational community based program will provide purpose, improve the overall experience of ageing and create age friendly communities, resulting in a range of benefits for children, the elderly, their carers, the workforce and society as a whole. Mixing younger children with older people has been proven to reduce teenage delinquency, has the potential to reduce social isolation of the elderly and may delay entry into residential care.

Intergenerational Care https://youtu.be/xWHkZ20PxA4

Thank you!! This research is partially funded by: Griffith University Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Service Department of Aged Care Services (DACS) www.intergenerationalcare.org anneke.fitzgerald@griffith.edu.au