Intergenerational Center Survey

10/04/2006

Intergenerational Center Survey

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way.
Doris Lessing

We received this inquiry from Kathy Thornburg at the University of Missouri. In return for connecting her with intergenerational centers around the country, she has agreed to contribute an article to Exchange based on what she finds out from surveying existing programs:

“A new Intergenerational Center will be started in Columbia, Missouri soon. It will be a theory based, research driven intergenerational center, based on the model of ONEgeneration, located in Van Nuys, CA. Broadly, theory tells us that planned systematic intergenerational interactions are good for both preschool-age children and frail elders. Preliminary research supports this, but more extensive studies are needed.

“Recognizing this, we have organized an intergenerational research consortium to pursue some very important questions in child development and in gerontology, particularly trying to address the Alzheimer’s puzzle of why and how it develops and what impact an intergenerational program might have on the disease outcomes.

“We would like to survey as many early childhood programs that, in some way, partner with nursing homes, assisted living programs, adult centers, etc. We would like to hear from you if your program has an intergenerational component or if your program is co-located and you have daily programming between older adults and your children.”

If you would be willing to participate in this survey, and help shape the article for Exchange, please send you complete contact information to [email protected].

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