Intergenerational programs have long been employed to reduce ageism and optimize youth and older adult development. Most involve in‐person meetings, which COVID‐19 arrested. ​​Needs for safety and social contact were amplified during COVID‐19, leading to modified programming that engaged generations remotely rather than eliminating it. Our collective case study incorporates four intergenerational programs in five US states prior to and during COVID‐19. Each aims to reduce ageism, incorporating nutrition education, technology skills, or photography programming. Authors present case goals, participants, implementation methods, including responses to COVID‐19, outcomes, and lessons learned. Technology afforded opportunities for intergenerational connections; non‐technological methods also were employed. Across cases, programmatic foci were maintained through adaptive programming. Community partners’ awareness of immediate needs facilitated responsive programming with universities, who leveraged unique resources. While new methods and partnerships will continue post‐pandemic, authors concurred that virtual contact cannot fully substitute for in‐person relationship‐building. Remote programming maintained ties between groups ready to resume shared in‐person programming as soon as possible; they now have tested means for responding to routine or novel cancellations of in‐person programming. Able to implement in‐person and remote intergenerational programming, communities can fight ageism and pursue diverse goals regardless of health, transportation, weather, or other restrictions.

The objective of this study is to test self-efficacy as a mediator in the relationship between three lifestyle activities (exercise, volunteering, and computer use) and self-perceptions of aging (SPA) among older adults. We hypothesize that increased self-efficacy will mediate the relationship between lifestyle activities and more positive SPA. This is a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis drawn from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; n = 4,561). Bootstrapping procedures were applied to test the significance of the indirect effects of self-efficacy in the relationship between lifestyle activities and SPA. Results indicate significant direct effects between exercise, computer use, and self-efficacy. Direct effects were observed between exercise, volunteering, computer use, and SPA. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between exercise, volunteering, computer use, and SPA. Implications for practitioners working with older adults are discussed. Future research should test formal intervention programs aimed at reducing internalized ageism through additional pathways.

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Objectives Ageism is a prevalent, insidious social justice issue which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. Preliminary literature explores the intersectionality of ageism with sexism, ableism, and ageism experienced among LGBTQ+ older adults. Yet, the intersectionality of ageism with racism remains largely absent from the literature. Therefore, this study explores the lived experience of the intersectionality of ageism and racism among older adults. Methods This qualitative study applied a phenomenological approach. Twenty participants 60+ years of age (M=69) in the U.S. Mountain West identifying as Black, Latino(a), Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous, or White engaged in a one-hour interview between February and July 2021. A three-cycle coding process applied constant comparison methods. Five coders independently coded interviews, engaging in critical discussion to resolve disagreements. An audit trail, member checking, and peer debriefing enhanced credibility. Results This study focuses on individual-level experiences exemplified by four umbrella themes and nine sub-themes. The umbrella themes are: 1) racism experienced differently based on age, 2) ageism experienced differently based on race, 3) comparing/contrasting experiences of ageism and racism, and 4) “othering” or discrimination. Discussion The findings indicate how ageism may be racialized through stereotypes such as mental incapability. Practitioners can apply the findings to enhance support for older adults by designing interventions aimed at reducing racialized ageist stereotypes and increasing collaboration through education across anti-ageism/anti-racism initiatives. Future research should focus on the impacts of the intersectionality of ageism and racism on specific health outcomes in addition to structural-level interventions.