West Chester University: Department Of Aging Expands Program To Enrich The Lives Of Students And Older Adults

Press release from West Chester University:

November 16, 2021

First launched as a pilot at Slippery Rock University (SRU) in the fall of 2020, the
Intergenerational University Connections program offers students real world experience
by completing service-learning projects that include engaging with older adults. WCU
and Widener University, along with Penn State Harrisburg, have joined the program
for the 2021 fall semester.

Local Area Agencies on Aging connect older adults with PDA to take part in the program.
Undergraduate and graduate students earning degrees in programs for various helping
professions are then assigned to engage with a participating senior, either over the
phone or virtually. Older adults either have access to their own videoconferencing
technology, or they can utilize a loaner iPad with internet connectivity for the duration
of the semester thanks to a PA Link grant program with TechOwl. The students will earn service-learning hours, gain skills working in a telehealth
environment and implement interventions while participating in a variety of activities
with their assigned older adult.

WCU joins SRU as the second school within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher
Education (PASSHE) to take part in the program.

“The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology and Master of Social Work program is very
excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Department of Aging on this important
service learning opportunity. Not only as a gerontological social worker but also
as someone who has researched elder abuse and neglect, I feel passionately that addressing
social isolation is critical not only to health and quality of life but also in helping
older adults be less at risk for financial exploitation and other forms or elder abuse
and neglect,” said Dr. Angela Lavery, professor and co-leader of the project at WCU.

Another goal of the program is to get more young people interested in fields that
involve working with and supporting older adults.

“I am so excited we are participating in the service learning experience for class.
I wrote a previous paper on the impact of visitor restrictions on older adults in
nursing homes during COVID, and I was struck by this ethical dilemma and the detrimental
effects of social isolation among the residents. This health risk warrants continued
intervention and advocacy,” said Krystal Harbaugh, WCU Master of Public Health program
graduate assistant. “West Chester University considers itself a partner in our community and we take great
pride in extending ourselves to area citizens in whatever way that we can,” said Chris
Fiorentino, WCU president. “The University is particularly proud to join an extraordinary
collaboration that benefits older adults who are receiving various services from agencies
associated with the PA Department of Aging. I am grateful to the department and to
Doctors Angela Lavery, Stacie Metz, and Erin Knight for developing an interprofessional
service learning program that is making a significant difference in the lives of many,
while advancing the human spirit.”

Students participating in the Intergenerational University Connections program at
Widener University are undergraduates in social work majors.

“I enjoy when conversations with my aging friend drift into hobbies, like cars. He
shares life lessons with me that make me think and are impacting my character,” said
Milo Jones, Widener University freshman and social work major. “I won his praise for
being in a good relationship with my parents, and one of the most memorable things
he shared with me were his regrets that he did not realize how much he loved his father
growing up. This program is designed to benefit aging adults, but I'm growing as a
person because of my involvement.”

“This project has allowed students in our Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
class to weave their intergenerational conversations with course content, which improves
their understanding of aging and appreciation of older adults. These conversations
have helped them recognize myths and stereotypes associated with aging, highlighted
the strengths and talents of older persons, improved their ability to be insightful
and reflective and increased their positive attitudes toward pursuing careers in aging,”
said Robin Goldberg-Glen, Widener University associate professor. “The interactions
have had unintended outcomes too, such as decreasing the loneliness and isolation
students may experience during their first year in college.”

“Widener University is delighted to partner with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging
on this initiative. It has provided our students a valuable hands-on learning experience
while extending meaningful service to the aging community,” said Julie E. Wollman,
Widener University president. “We look forward to making this opportunity available
to even more Widener students this spring, when the program grows to include our graduate
and undergraduate students from Phi Alpha Nu, the national honor society of social
work. This expansion will allow Widener to make an even greater impact on the lives
of our aging neighbors, in the spirit of service learning.” 

PDA first discussed the Intergenerational University Connections program as a pilot
with SRU following PDA’s presentation of the idea to PASSHE in early April 2020, when
PASSHE shared the department’s interest with the 14 universities in the state university
system. The increased risk of social isolation among seniors as a result of the pandemic
put the program on the fast track. 

“The Department of Aging received a lot of positive feedback from both faculty and
students at Slippery Rock University following the pilot program. We also learned
what worked and didn’t work in order for us to improve on the program for SRU and
future participants. We are pleased with how quickly we were able to expand the program
with the inclusion of three additional universities this fall semester,” said Secretary
of Aging Robert Torres. “This program offers a valuable opportunity for older adults
to engage with students in meaningful ways, and for the students to learn from their
experiences. I look forward to seeing continued positive growth as we continue to
build and expand this program.”

PDA has been in talks with additional universities throughout the commonwealth to
explore inclusion of the program in their curriculums. 

As the Intergenerational University Connections program expands in Pennsylvania, it
is starting to receive national attention. PDA and SRU discussed the program during
the Gerontological Society of America’s 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting online on November
12.

Learn more about the various programs offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging here.

Note: Photos and video from the event will be available at PACast.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jack Eilber: agingcomms@pa.gov 

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.