ARU Research Report 2019

10 The Up Project Exploring whether IGPs are effective at achieving their intended outcomes and are of demonstrable benefit is of crucial importance when trying to understand the value they may hold for children and older adults, and informing how they might be designed and implemented. IGPs where children visit older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia within residential care or nursing homes, is one strand of intergenerational programme activity to which Up belongs. Despite the challenges of measuring the benefits of engagement of such programmes for older adults with dementia (Jarrott and Bruno, 2003), positive effects in this population have been reported. Using observational methods, Ward et al. (1996) and O-Rourke (1999) found older adults with dementia displayed more positive behaviours, e.g. smiling, laughing, talking and responding when in the presence of the children. Significantly more positive behaviours and wellbeing were also observed by Jarrott and Bruno (2003) using Dementia Care Mapping when older adults with dementia were participating in IGPs, compared to when they participated in other non-IGP activities. Constructive engagement with IGPs by older adults with dementia has also been found to be foster enjoyment and helping behaviours (Purnell, 2017; Low et al., 2015; Kuehne and Kaplan, 2001). From the children’s perspective, most IGPs between children and older adults report positive changes in attitudes by children towards older adults either during the programme or afterwards (Park, 2015). For IGPs specifically involving older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia, benefits to children have included enjoyment (Isaki and Harmon, 2014), improved attitudes towards older adults (Chung, 2009; Isaki and Harmon, 2014; Burgman and Mulvaney, 2016), increased knowledge of dementia (Chung, 2009; DiBona et al., 2017) and a greater preparedness and confidence and in dealing with persons with dementia in the future (Atkinson and Bray, 2013). Burgman and Mulvaney (2016) found that children with autism or behavioural challenges demonstrated a greater degree of empathy, care and attentiveness towards older adults in their study. However, quantitative research measuring character skills amongst the children has proved contradictory. Baker et al. (2017) found there to be no significant change in children’s self-esteem or empathy as a result of IGP participation. Chung (2009) also found no significant pre and post IGP difference in empathy amongst child participants. The impact of IGPs has the potential to extend beyond the individual participants and into wider society. This may occur indirectly through improved attitudes towards other generations being transferable into other circumstances, or through the IGPs creating deliberate and direct connections within their local communities (Jarrott and Weaver, 2013). An improved sense of community amongst participants may also be a benefit of participating in an IGP. Evidence of a greater sense of community connection was reported by older adults in a study by Teater (2016), although a randomised trial by Low et al. (2015) found there to be no significant difference in sense of community amongst nursing home based older adults participating in an IGP with pre-school children. Future research examining the wider societal benefits of IGPs is therefore warranted (Park, 2015). Despite the growing interest in IGPs socially and academically, there is still a lot to be learnt and further research is needed. There is limited research which explores the impact of these projects on those who are involved in a supporting role, e.g. the existing care home workforce. As previously noted, there is a wide range of settings, populations and contexts which are classified as IGPs, and even within population groups there is potential for poor transferability of any perceived benefits. The benefits offered to those with dementia who are community dwelling, independent and attending schools to deliver educational programmes may not be