The Impact of Intergenerational Learning on Quality of Life in Older Populations Residing in A Public Sector Old Age Home: A Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

There has been no research in Pakistan about how to improve quality of life (QOL) of aging populations through intergenerational learning. In this study we aimed to deliver an intervention for intergenerational learning to assess the impact on QOL through a quasi-experiment research design. We also aimed to identify which types of intergenerational learning activities improve QOL and how the activities may be improved. We gained permission to deliver the intervention from a state-run old age center in Punjab. Though the intervention started with 42 participants, we were left with 18 participants at the end of the three-month intervention. The results show posttest improvement in: (i) sleep (t = 3.01, p < .05), (ii) life enjoyment (t = 2.26, p < .05), and (iii) psychological health (t = 2.04, p = .05). In addition, participants with more education exhibited significant improvement in QOL after the intervention. We were also able to compile a list of 19 suggestions by participants for overall changes in learning activities, changes in specific interventions delivered, and suggestions for more types of interventions. We conclude that intergenerational learning improves QOL, and recommend suggestions for life satisfaction, and the planning of old age home centers. This study has implications for aging policy across developing and South Asian populations.There has been no research in Pakistan about how to improve quality of life (QOL) of aging populations through intergenerational learning. In this study we aimed to deliver an intervention for intergenerational learning to assess the impact on QOL through a quasi-experiment research design. We also aimed to identify which types of intergenerational learning activities improve QOL and how the activities may be improved. We gained permission to deliver the intervention from a state-run old age center in Punjab. Though the intervention started with 42 participants, we were left with 18 participants at the end of the three-month intervention. The results show posttest improvement in: (i) sleep (t = 3.01, p < .05), (ii) life enjoyment (t = 2.26, p < .05), and (iii) psychological health (t = 2.04, p = .05). In addition, participants with more education exhibited significant improvement in QOL after the intervention. We were also able to compile a list of 19 suggestions by participants for overall changes in learning activities, changes in specific interventions delivered, and suggestions for more types of interventions. We conclude that intergenerational learning improves QOL, and recommend suggestions for life satisfaction, and the planning of old age home centers. This study has implications for aging policy across developing and South Asian populations.