Children and adults reading interactively: The social benefits of an exploratory intergenerational program

This exploratory Intergenerational Program (IGP) focused on reading to determine whether it affects mood and communication in older adults with mild dementia and neurocognitive deficits, and if it influences school-aged children's perceptions of older adults over time. Six older adults with cognitive-communication deficits and 12 school-aged children, identified with language and reading concerns, participated for 45 min weekly for 8 weeks in this IGP. The Mini-Mental State Exam, an adult mood and communication questionnaire, and a questionnaire about the children's perceptions of older adult were administered. No significant findings were obtained from measures of the older adults. Significant findings were obtained for the school-aged children's perceptions of older adults. Changes in reading behaviors were noted by the teacher and parents. Through observation and comments, the participants indicated mutual enjoyment of this IGP. This IGP is novel because it includes two populations with communication disorders and warrants further investigation.