Knowledge Bank

The population in the United States is rapidly aging, and many elders require care. As a result, systems need to be established that will provide resources for individuals to age with dignity. Intergenerational centers offer an innovative alternative to traditional community-based care, by streamlining day services for children and older adults into one location. However, intergenerational centers are little known and under-utilized. The present study aims to promote the incorporation of intergenerational centers into mainstream options for families when selecting services, by analyzing the motives and knowledge of individuals who currently utilize care at Champion Intergenerational Center. This center provides adult day services and preschool in one building, with areas designated for the two groups to interact. The research design included a cross-sectional survey for older adults, caregivers, and parents who are enrolled or have dependents enrolled at the center. The survey determined if intergenerational programming influenced respondents' choice of care using descriptive statistics. One Likert-scale analyzed levels of support that older adults, caregivers, and parents had for intergenerational programming. An additional Likert-scale analyzed participants' knowledge about the intergenerational activities that occur at the center. Intergenerational program administrators can utilize the results to attract more families to these centers. Results from the present study may additionally encourage care providers to explore the possibilities of providing services in a shared setting, due to the multi-faceted benefits for program stakeholders.