Intergenerational Engagement in Retirement Communities: A Case Study of a Community Capacity-Building Model

Abstract

An intergenerational intervention strategy called Generation Station was established and field tested at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in central Pennsylvania over a 13-month period beginning in 2001. With the goal of exposing residents to a broad range of possibilities for intergenerational contact, the emphasis of this intervention was on building the institution’s capacity to conduct intergenerational programs rather than on creating a finite, activity-specific program. The process involved identifying local children and youth programs, engaging administrators in interagency dialogue, and formulating intergenerational program-matic links based on complementary objectives and curricula of local organizations. Results were drawn from interviews conducted with CCRC residents and staff and from observations of intergenerational activities. CCRC residents and staff deemed multiple activities with multiple organizational partners as a convenient way to establish a flexible program and address the diverse interests, abilities, and preferences of retirement community residents and local youth.