Generations over Lunch: A Pilot Study to Explore Impact on Healthy Aging

Research Objectives: To investigate the extent to which a new spin-off program called, “Generations over Lunch,” will impact the wellness of the community and healthy aging.

Design: Quantitative pre/post surveys were utilized for data collection before and after the 1-hour intervention event.

Setting: Surveys were deployed to general community members.

Participants: A convenience sample was used and consisted of participants 18 years or older, across the generational cohorts, that attended an inter-generational event recruited by the Meals on Wheels and AARP community partners. The pre-survey had 24 respondents. The post-survey had 20 respondents. Complete pre-/post- data was collected from 10 participants.

Interventions: The 1-hour “Generations over Lunch” event was hosted at a local Meals on Wheels in collaboration with AARP, occupational therapy students, and occupational therapy faculty. Participants were asked to disclose their generation prior to the event. There were color-coded seats at the tables corresponding to the disclosed generations to ensure conversations at each table were inter-generational. Different prompts for conversation including ageism, family and friendships, and purpose, were provided for participants to generate different generational perceptions, promote education to other generations, and allow for socialization and connection. A nutritious meal was also provided by Meals on Wheels during the event.

Main Outcome Measures: It was anticipated the participants would report more connectedness, social support, increased enjoyment interacting with other generations, and decreased stereotypes held against other generations improving wellness and healthy aging.

Results: Ten people, representing three generations, completed both the pre- and post- surveys. A Z test was used to compare pre- and post-survey results. Following the 1-hour intervention, "Generations over Lunch," a Z test value of .046 indicated significant results for participants reporting more enjoyment interacting with people from generations other than their own. Forty percent of participants report their enjoyment interacting with other generations increased from agree to strongly agree after the event. Z test values were not significant for increased connectedness, increased social support, and decreased stereotypes after the 1-hour intervention.

Conclusions: Data reveal significant results indicating the event increased participants' enjoyment in interacting inter-generationally. This pilot suggests participants may benefit from a series of events like this to more significantly change perceptions, stereotypes, and connectedness for healthy aging. The 1-hour event during this pilot may not have been long enough for people to completely engage in the intervention. Future studies are warranted to explore the use of meals to support intergenerational communication and address the challenges of ageism and social isolation.

Author(s) Disclosures: NA