Abstract

Objectives

Residents living with dementia in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have reduced access to, and opportunities for, participation in meaningful activities. This leads to increased social isolation and disengagement. Intergenerational programs aim to overcome these issues. Allied health students piloted a live-intergenerational program (LIP), living onsite at a residential aged care facility (RACF) while volunteering for 30 h a month. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact and practicalities for implementing a LIP in an Australian RACF.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive pilot study was undertaken to explore the diverse perspectives of various stakeholders. Qualitative data were collected during group discussions directed by the nominal group technique with live-in-students. Interviews were conducted with staff members, relatives, facility management and volunteers. All qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results

Two overarching themes emerged. The first, community of care, indicated how care partners and the care context, organisational support and being a live-in-student supported the sustainability of the program. Live-in-students’ accessibility promoted opportunities for occupational and social engagement of residents when staff was less available. The second, a collective based on belonging and shared doing, highlighted the program’s potential impact and uncovered the development of a collective based on shared belonging.

Conclusion

The LIP highlighted the potential for new dimensions to person-centred care. The pilot study demonstrated intergenerational contact within aged residential care supported the evolvement of a collective and promoted a social approach for ageing well. Further research is needed to identify the long-term impact of the LIP and explore the feasibility of expanding the program.

中文翻译：

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通过代际计划促进痴呆症患者有意义的参与：一项试点研究

摘要

目标

住在老年护理机构 (RACF) 中的痴呆症居民参与有意义的活动的机会和机会减少了。这导致社会孤立和脱离接触增加。代际计划旨在克服这些问题。专职健康学生试行了一项现场代际计划 (LIP)，他们住在一家老年护理机构 (RACF) 现场，同时每月志愿服务 30 公顷。本研究的目的是探讨在澳大利亚 RACF 中实施 LIP 的影响和实用性。

方法

进行这项定性描述性试点研究是为了探索不同利益相关者的不同观点。定性数据是在由名义小组技术指导的小组讨论期间与住校学生收集的。对工作人员、亲属、设施管理人员和志愿者进行了访谈。所有定性数据都按主题进行了分析。

结果

出现了两个总体主题。第一个是护理社区，表明护理合作伙伴和护理环境、组织支持以及作为一名住校学生如何支持该计划的可持续性。当工作人员较少时，住校学生的可及性促进了居民的职业和社会参与机会。第二，基于归属感和共同做事的集体，强调了该项目的潜在影响，并揭示了基于共同归属感的集体发展。

结论

LIP 强调了以人为本的护理新维度的潜力。试点研究表明，老年住宿护理中的代际接触支持集体的发展，并促进了良好老龄化的社会方法。需要进一步研究以确定 LIP 的长期影响并探索扩展该计划的可行性。