EFFECTS OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL FRIENDLY VISIT PROGRAM ON THE ATTITUDES OF FOURTH GRADERS TOWARD ELDERS |
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| Authors: | Eileen Schwalbach Sharon Kiernan |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwanlikuang@mail.ncku.edu.tw |
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| Abstract: | This article describes the effects of an intergenerational friendly visit program on the attitudes toward the elders of one fourth grade class. Students visited with their elder "special friends" at a nursing home every week for five months. In-class lessons regarding students' knowledge and attitudes toward elders prepared students for the visits. The results of this qualitative study indicated that students gained a raised level of awareness regarding elders and the aging process. Their attitudes revealed a realistic view of both the positive and negative aspects of aging. Their attitudes toward their "special friends" were consistently positive and their empathy increased during the course of the study. |
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