“I like to play with my Grandfriends”: Participants’ experiences in a co-located intergenerational program

Research on intergenerational programs (IGPs) has documented cognitive, physical and social outcomes for older adults, and beneficial effects for children such as enhanced empathy and more positive attitudes toward older adults. However, there is a relative scarcity of research documenting the benefits of co-located intergenerational programs, whereby the aged-care facility and early learning program are housed under the same roof, thus offering opportunities for frequent intergenerational connections across structured and unstructured activities. Moreover, research providing a consolidated account of the benefits of participation from the perspectives of multiple participant groups, especially young children, is limited. As such, this qualitative case study explores the perspectives of multiple participants engaged in a co-located aged-care facility and early learning centre in Melbourne, Australia: 19 young children and their families, seven early learning and aged-care staff, and seven older adults. The methodology involved semi-structured interviews conducted with staff, online surveys completed by families, and draw, write, and tell method to elicit children’s perspectives. The analysis was framed by social capital theory which pays attention to the relationships within and between groups (bonding and bridging), and the associated benefits for individual and group capabilities. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed two overarching themes – “Program design and implementation” and “Impact for participants” – comprising five categories which highlight the importance of relational factors to nurture mutually beneficial bridging and bonding relationships, and structural program elements such as collaborative planning to support optimal outcomes for all participants.