Janna Heyman, MSW, Ph.D. Fordham University, NY Associate Director, Ravazzin Center on Aging

1. Empowering Older Adults for Successful Aging: Community Partnerships with Intergenerational Gerontechnology Jean F. Coppola, BS, MS, MS, PhD.Pace University, NY Seidenberg School of Computer Science & Information Systems, Technology Systems914-773-3755 jcoppola@pace.edu Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNPWestchester Community College, NY Division of Natural and Health Science, Nursing914-606-7852 barbara.thomas@sunywcc.edu Linda Forman, BA, MSUnited Hebrew Geriatric Center, New Rochelle, NY Vice President, Community Relations914-632-2804 x224 lforman@uhgc.org Janna Heyman, MSW, Ph.D. Fordham University, NY Associate Director, Ravazzin Center on Aging Associate Professor 718-817-5633 heyman@fordham.edu

2. Empowering Older Adults for Successful Aging: Community Partnerships with Intergenerational Gerontechnology Colette Phipps, MSWWestchester Department of Senior Programs & Services, NY 914-6813-6441 cap2@westchestergov.com Dozene GuishardWestchester Department of Senior Programs & Services, NY 914-6813-6441 dzg1@westchestergov.com

3. Intergenerational Computing • Course that: • Engages Students in Service-Learning • Develops Appreciation & Understanding the Process of Aging & its Limitations • Entices Older Adults with Technology to Ultimately Improve their Quality of Life • Gerontechnology

4. Gerontechnology • Terminology: => Gerontechnology or Gerotechnology • Study of technology for the improvement of daily functions of the elderly • Coined by Jan Graafmans of Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands in 1989 • First book devoted to the new field was published in 1992 4

5. Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks Intergenerational Computing: A Work in Progress…

6. The Power of Technology in Aging As you have aged, list the physical changes that are beginning to hinder your use of technology, i.e., computer, PDAs, digital media devices, etc. Be honest - just write your age down!  What do you fear the most about the aging process?

7. Comunicación y Gerencia The literature says:

8. The literature says: Comunicación y Gerencia Older Adults who use technology More positive outlook on life Greater Sense of Emotional Well Being & Self Worth Increased Cognitive Functioning Decreased Levels of Depression Reduced Isolation by Offering a Means of Social Interaction and Mental Stimulation David C. Burdick & Sunkyo Kwon, Gerotechnology, Springer 2004

9. Beginning Collaborations : • Contact Government Office of Aging • Westchester County Department of Senior Programs & Services • Medicare Part D • Pre-White House Conference on Aging • By 2020, persons aged 60+ are expected to comprise 22% of the population • Solicited Potential Research Partners • United Hebrew Geriatric Center (UHGC), New Rochelle, NY • Network, Network, Network in your community!

10. Westchester Alliance of Academic Institutions for Aging Related Studies and Workforce Development Facts: • Presently aging content is often diffuse in most curricula • Gerontological and geriatric careers are ranked lowest and chosen leastin comparison to other specializations • Careers in aging are best kept secrets • Careers in aging =>perceived asboring & non-stimulating • Presently services for the elderly are not a national priority AND • A trained and qualified workforce is needed to meet the anticipated needs of our nation’s older population (NASW- Listening session for the WHCoA)

11. Westchester Alliance of Academic Institutions for Aging Related Studies and Workforce Development Demographic Imperatives: • Educational institutions must strategically plan to expand educational offerings in aging • It is the responsibility of educational institutions to prepare students for the needs of a rapidly growing aging society • Matters of social policy on aging issues must be urgently addressed • A wide range of options exists to incorporate aging content into curricula

12. Westchester County Pre- White House Conferences on Aging2004-2005Mini-SeriesSpeak-UpStudent Participants Embrace Aging Issues of Key Concern • Speak-Up • Civic Goals for Higher Education • Colleges and Universities prepare thoughtful, committed, and socially responsible graduates • Cultural diversity of the aging population become an educational priority which will then foster civic knowledge • Higher Education continue to serve the larger public good, focusing on how colleges and universities assess and account for their service to society • Higher Education’s civic contributions acknowledge public policy • Higher Education maintain a commitment to public purposes and democratic ideals • The Wingspread Declaration drafted for the Wingspread Meeting on the Civic Responsibility of research universities addresses the importance of developing student citizenship skills, faculty engagement through professional service, pedagogy, and community-based or applied research; and institutional leadership in and with the community

13. Westchester County Pre- White House Conferences on Aging2004-2005Mini-SeriesSpeak-UpStudent Participants Embrace Aging Issues of Key Concern SPEAK-UP An investment in the future • SPEAK –UP offers an opportunity for research, debate and discussion • SPEAK –UP places talented young people on the road to social responsibility • SPEAK – UP cultivates critical thinkers

14. My Second Home, Intergenerational Adult Day Care Center - March 2005 • TV Clip – March 6, 2006 • “Take Your Grandparents to Work Day – in Reverse” Partnered with IBM & Local County Government Office of Senior Programs & Services • Kept in touch with Reps Background:

15. Intergenerational Computing!

16. Intergenerational Computing!

17. Initial Partnership : • United Hebrew Geriatric Center (UHGC), New Rochelle, NY • Initial Meeting October 2005 • Consortium Formed • Planning Sessions • Milestones Set • Service-Learning / Civic Engagement Course Developed & Approved

18. United Hebrew Geriatric Center Gerontechnology Program • A Continuum of Care on the UHGC Campus • 3 Computer Labs • Independent Living Senior Apartments • Willow Towers Assisted Living • UHGC Skilled Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center

19. Team Assets & Resources : • Pace University • Faculty • Curriculum Development • Service-Learning Students • Student Supervision • Lab Setups & Donation Assistance • Westchester.gov Sr. Progs • Alliance for Aging • SPEAKUP • Contacts! Network! • UHGC • Space for Computers • Internet Access • Staff / Nurse Participation & Supervision • Enthusiastic Residents • WestchesterCommunity College • Nursing Faculty • Computer Club Support

20. Support, Budget & Donations • All constituents had Top Level Administration Support • Support by entire health care team • Project Budget was $ 0 !! • Solicited Community for Computer Donations

21. EquipmentDonations ….

22. Donations... PCs, Printers, Hubs Mice, Speakers, Mouse Pads iPods, Network Cards, Ink

23. Donations: • Solicited Computer Donations • Surprises & Networking • Met with Apple • Podcasting Seminar • Civic Association – Consulting Firms • Pace University, NY • Westchester PC User Group • Alumni, Students & Parents & Faculty Donations

24. Grants : • IBM Adaptation Technology $35K • Fuji Film (10 cameras) • Pace Internal School Grant Support • Eugene M. Lang Student-Faculty Research Fellowship • Kenan Scholarly Research Grant • Isabel Brabazon Award for Intergenerational Evaluation and Research $5K • Westchester Community Foundation $10K

25. Westchester Community College & Pace University: Collaborative Hardware Team

26. CIS102T Intergenerational Computing • Interdisciplinary Course Pilot S06 (23 students) • Students Taught Process of Aging / Social Gerontology, Technology in Action & Values of Service-Learning • Intense 5 weeks of training now 7 weeks w 1+hr 1-1 Training • Team Assignments & Role Playing • Orientation • Team Leaders & Troubleshooter • Unexpected bonds

27. Student Orientation at UHGC

28. Role Playing : • Visually Impaired • Glaucoma (Squares) • Cataracts (Vaseline) • Macular Degeneration (dots) • Hearing Impaired • Motor Skills • Arthritis (tape) • Poor Muscle Tone

29. Orientation & Student Preparation : • Students Self-Selected to Enroll in CIS102T Intergenerational Computing Course • Students Self-Selected to one of 3 Facilities for Duration of Semester • Students / Seniors completed different Pre-& Post-surveys

30. Student Coursework : • Team Leaders • Chief Troubleshooter • Manuals • 5 Weeks of Introduction & Didactic Geriatric Content

31. Senior Survey • 15 Question Likert Scale

32. Instruments: • Search for Instruments to Validate Data • Student Pre and Post Surveys Self- Perception Attitude Towards Older Adults • Student Self-Perception Knowledge of Technology Survey • Older Adult MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) http://www.mocatest.org/ http://www.mocatest.org/pdf_files/MOCA-Test-English.pdf • Older Adult Pre and Post Self-Perception Computer Anxiety & Assistive Technology Survey

33. Methods • One-group pretest/posttest design (N=91) • Measures • Attitudes towards older persons • Coursework in aging • Personal experiences with older adults • Interest in advocating for aging issues • Stimulating students to be involved in aging issues

34. Profile of Student Participants (N=91)*

35. Students’ Coursework and Volunteer Experience Coursework No previous coursework 93.4% Previous coursework 6.6% Previous volunteer experience with seniors No previous volunteer experience 30.8% Previous volunteer experience 69.2%

36. Students’ Attitudes towards Older Persons Attitude scores could range from 0 to 27 Mean SD Attitude Scores at Pretest 19.22 3.0 Attitude Scores at Posttest 19.61 3.2 Scores were slightly higher at posttest, but not statistically significant (t=-1.37, p>.05)

37. Students’ Interest in Advocating for Older Persons * * Higher scores indicate more positive interest. Mean scores increased between pre and posttest, but not statistically significant

38. “Graduation” : • Senior “diplomas” • Students certificates • The Ceremony!!

39. Older Adults & Technology

40. “One [student] is just nicer than the other” • “Everyone [all senior citizens] Should Learn How to Use the Computer So They Won’t Be Left Behind” • Some of the older adult women were sitting in the common area when the students were toured past them.  One said loudly to the other, "Look those must be our teachers!  I guess they will be teaching these old ladies some new tricks!"    Older Adult Antidotes

41. Student Blogs & Reflections • “Over the seven weeks at assistant living, Lowell taught me as much as I taught him.” • “A very important observation I made was, the older adults valued their email communication more than anything else on the Internet. This could prove that as people age their values change, or they become more family oriented.… the smile on her face was worth every second of the time spent showing her how to sent the original message.”

42. Prof. Shelley Garnet, Human Services, Westchester Community College

43. United Hebrew Geriatric Center, NYGerontechnology Program • Benefits – Physical • Small motor skills appeared to improve • Practice of eye-hand coordination improved mouse skills • Those with profound hearing loss were able to enjoy use.

44. United Hebrew Geriatric Center, NYGerontechnology Program • Benefits – Social and Psychological • Seniors felt purposeful • Gave confidence – felt capable of learning • Developed new relationships with students • Avenue for connecting with family • Connect seniors to the forward moving world at large

45. United Hebrew Geriatric Center Gerontechnology Program Lessons Learned • There is better participation and learning success when seniors have their own computer and own space. • One on one instruction imperative. • Social bonds and trust lead to success. • Prepared student teachers work best. • Seniors want to learn if the environment is right. • Graduation Ceremony something to work towards

46. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. Kehlog Albran • RESOURCES: • Gerontechnology: Growing Old in a Technological Society, by Lesnoff-Caravaglia 2007 • Gerotechnology: Research and Practice in Technology & Aging by D. Burdick & S. Kwon 2004 • Service-Learning http://www.servicelearn.com/ • Service-Learning Clearing House • http://www.servicelearning.org/ • SPRY (Setting Priorities for Retirement Years http://www.spry.org/

47. Resources • Gerontological Society of America http://www.gsa-tag.org/ • Campus Compact http://www.compact.org/ • Project Pericles http://www.projectpericles.org/ • CAST (Center for Aging Services Technologies) http://www.agingtech.org/grants_main.aspx

48. Acknowledgements: • IBM, Accessibility Research • Fuji Film Inc. • Dalton School, NY, NY • Eugene M. Lang Student-Faculty Research Fellowship • Pace University Scholarly Research Grant • Pace University Presidential Civic Competency Grant • Pace University Sponsored Research and Economic Development • Project Pericles Grant • Westchester Public / Private Partnership for Aging Services (PPPA) • Student Participants Embrace Aging Issues of Key Concern (SPEAK-UP) • Westchester Alliance of Academic Institutions for Aging Related Studies and Workforce Development • Westchester PC User Group, White Plains, NY • Nancy Hale, Chairperson, Technology Systems, Pace University

49. Empowering Older Adults for Successful Aging: Community Partnerships with Intergenerational Gerontechnology Jean F. Coppola, BS, MS, MS, PhDPace University, NY Seidenberg School of Computer Science & Information Systems, Technology Systems jcoppola@pace.edu 914-773-3755 Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNPWestchester Community College, NY Division of Natural and Health Science, Nursingbarbara.thomas@sunywcc.edu914-606-7852 Linda Forman, BA, MS United Hebrew Geriatric Center, New Rochelle, NY Vice President, Community Relations lforman@uhgc.org914-632-2804 x224 Janna Heyman, MSW, PhD Fordham University, NY Associate Director, Ravazzin Center on Aging Associate Professor heyman@fordham.edu 718-817-5633 THANK YOU! Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information or collaboration ! Slides@ https://wfs.pace.edu/WFSRoot/jcoppola/Gerotechnology