Service Learning with Rural Older Adults

Vandsberger, Etty; Wakefield, Marilyn

doi:10.1300/j194v03n04_06

Cited by 16 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The results of this study are consistent with the literature that intergenerational service-learning reduces negative perceptions of older adults and promotes a better understanding of the aging process among undergraduate students Knapp & Stubblefield, 2000). Similar to Vandersberger et al and Darling's findings, students were initially hesitant and resistant to engage in the service-learning projects, however, as they began developing relationships with the older adults, their perceptions became more positive (Darling, 2016;Vandersberger & Wakefield, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Frailty vs. Wise as Thematic Verbatim Perceptions of Aging from College Students Enrolled in a Health and Aging Course

Groot¹,

Orsega-Smith²

2020

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The older adult population is rapidly growing expecting to reach nearly 95 million by 2060. Consequently, there is a growing need for young adults preparing to enter the workforce to have accurate perceptions of the aging process. The purpose of this study was to examine students' verbatim descriptors of someone over 65 years of age and how they change after completing an undergraduate health and aging course. 132 junior-level Health Behavior Science undergraduate students completed a pre-course and post-course questionnaire that assessed aging knowledge and perceptions. A thematic analysis was conducted to examine students' descriptors of individuals 65+ pre-and post-course. An evaluation of the qualitative responses indicated that the undergraduate students' perceptions of older adults and aging changed from their pre-course to post course responses. Positive personality trait descriptors increased from 160 (11.5%) initially to 268 (31.8%) following course completion. Conversely, negative traits of being sedentary/inactive (pre (4.6%) to post (0.5%)), being slow (pre (4.8%) to post (2.5%)), having health problems (pre (9.7%) to post (4.5%)), and being fragile (pre (7.5%) to post (5.3%)) all decreased. Independent samples paired t test showed a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in aging knowledge scores from pre to post course. In year one, the scores increased from 64.45 (+12.63) to 78.66 (+12.67) and in year two the scores increased from 69.41 (+13.12) to 80.75 (+11.07). Overall, this study demonstrated that an undergraduate health and aging course with a service-learning component greatly impacted undergraduate students' perceptions of older adults and the aging process to be more positive.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Frailty vs. Wise as Thematic Verbatim Perceptions of Aging from College Students Enrolled in a Health and Aging Course

Groot¹,

Orsega-Smith²

2020

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“…Undergraduates who engage in service learning with older adults tend to have an increased interest in further investigating the field of aging in terms of a possible career path (Vandsberger & Wakefield, 2006). In light of the positive outcomes of service learning with older adults, it is possible that undergraduates who do not have frequent or positive interactions with older adults in their lives could obtain these experiences through service learning projects.…”

Section: Student Interest In Working With Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes and Experiences With Older Adults: A Case for Service Learning for Undergraduates

Obhi

Woodhead

2015

Gerontology & Geriatrics Education

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The current study examined whether relationship quality with older adults currently and in childhood, as well as experience with older adults, was associated with biases toward older adults and interest in working with older adults as a possible career area. We sampled undergraduate students (N=753; M=18.97 years, SD=2.11 years) from a Northern California university. In hierarchical regression analyses, higher perceived quality of relationships with older adult family members, higher perceived social support, and lower perceived conflict from relationships with older adults was significantly associated with positive attitudes toward older adults. Interest in working with older adults was significantly associated with taking courses in aging, providing care to an older adult, and volunteering with older adults. These results suggest that positive relationships with older adults are useful in reducing biases, though student interactions with older adults are key in helping to promote interest in working with older adults.

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Older Adults, Pets, and Intergenerational Service Learning

Kogan

2016

Men and Their Dogs

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Service Learning with Rural Older Adults

Cited by 16 publications

References 20 publications

Frailty vs. Wise as Thematic Verbatim Perceptions of Aging from College Students Enrolled in a Health and Aging Course

Frailty vs. Wise as Thematic Verbatim Perceptions of Aging from College Students Enrolled in a Health and Aging Course

Attitudes and Experiences With Older Adults: A Case for Service Learning for Undergraduates

Older Adults, Pets, and Intergenerational Service Learning

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