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Building Digital Bridges via Intergenerational Gerontechnology

Building Digital Bridges via Intergenerational Gerontechnology. Jean F. Coppola, BS, MS, MS, PhD. Pace University, NY Seidenberg School of Computer Science & Information Systems, Technology Systems 914-773-3755 jcoppola@pace.edu.

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Building Digital Bridges via Intergenerational Gerontechnology

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  1. Building Digital Bridges via 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

  2. 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 2

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

  5. Comunicación y Gerencia The literature says:

  6. 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

  7. 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?

  8. 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:

  9. Intergenerational Computing!

  10. Intergenerational Computing!

  11. 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!

  12. 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)

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. EquipmentDonations ….

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

  22. 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

  23. 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

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

  25. 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

  26. Student Orientation at UHGC

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

  28. 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

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

  30. Older Adult Survey • 15 Question Likert Scale

  31. Student Instruments: • Search for Validated Instruments • Student Pre and Post Surveys Self- Perception AttitudeTowards Older Adults • Student Pre and Post Surveys Self- Perception AdvocacyFor Older Adults • Student Self-Perception Knowledge of Technology Survey

  32. Instruments: • Older Adult MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) http://www.mocatest.org/ http://www.mocatest.org/pdf_files/MOCA-Test-English.pdf • Experiences & Attitudes to Ageing Questionaire (EAAQ) - Laidlaw • 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. Students’ Coursework and Volunteer Experience Coursework No previous coursework 93.4% Previous coursework 6.6% Previous volunteer experience with older adults Previous volunteer experience 30.8% No Previous volunteer experience 69.2%

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

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

  37. 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)

  38. 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.”

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

  42. Facets of the Project Wii

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

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