Citation

Ward CR, Kamp LL, Newman S. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1996; 20(4): 61-76.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v20n04_05

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reports on a project that sought to demonstrate the value of intergenerational activities for long-term care residents with dementia. Twenty-one residents participated in weekly music activities with young children and in similar activities without the children. Videotaping and a natural observer gathered data on residents' positive behaviors (for example, laughing). Analysis found two statistically significant differences between those times when children were and were not present: touching was more frequent when children were present while head nodding was less frequent. Caregivers observed residents' agitation levels later in the day on which the activities took place. Analysis showed that participation in activities with small children lowered residents' agitation levels.