Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNP

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Barbara A. Thomas, RN, MA, MS, FNP
Model Intergenerational Computing Program through
Community Partnerships
Jean F. Coppola, BS, MS, MS, Ph.D.
Pace University, NY Technology Systems
jcoppola_at_pace.edu 914-773-3755
Linda Forman, BA, MS United Hebrew Geriatric
Center, New Rochelle, NY lforman_at_uhgc.org
914-632-2804 x 224

• Westchester Community College, NY Nursing
• barbara.thomas_at_sunywcc.edu 914-606-7852

Colette Phipps, MSW Westchester County, Sr.
Programs Services, NY cap2_at_westchestergov.com
914-813-6441
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Model Intergenerational Computing Program through
Community Partnerships

• Clinical Setting
• Donations / Grants
• Instruments
• Curriculum / Role Playing
• Graduation
• Benefits / Implications
• Lessons Learned
• Future Work
• Resources
• Acknowledgements

• Introduction Intergenerational Computing,
  Service Learning, Gerontechnology
• Background
• Literature Review
• Interactive Activity
• Brainstorming
• Collaborations / Partnerships

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Intergenerational Computing

• Engaging Students in a Service Learning
  Course to Appreciate Understand the Process of
  Aging its Limitations
• Enticing Seniors in the Use of Technology
• to Ultimately Improve their Quality of Life
• Gerontechnology

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Gerontechnology

• Terminology
  gt 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

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Teach Old Dogs New Tricks
Gerontechnology A Work in Progress
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Background

• History - Back in the Dogs Age

• History of working with PDAs CS Graduate
  Students Developing Nursing Informatics Software

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Background (cont)

• 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

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Background (cont)

• NYU Faculty Resource Network FRN
• NYU FRN Scholar-in-Residence Program
• FRN Associate Program
• Access to Library Databases

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• The literature says

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• Older Adults who use technology have
• 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

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The Power of Aging Technology

• 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?

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Brainstorming

• Pieces of Puzzle Fell into Place .
• Literature Search Revealed Research, i.e., Dr.
  Jules Rosen (PA), Europe, etc.
• Investigations of Seniors with Beginning Stages
  of Dementia
• Developed Family Primary Caregivers Nursing
  Home Staff Educational Programs
• Resulted in Development of Videos, Websites

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Beginning Collaborations

• Government Office of Senior Programs Services
• Solicited Potential Research Partners
• Medicare Part D
• Pre-White House Conference on Aging
• United Hebrew Geriatric Center (UHGC), New
  Rochelle, NY
• Network, Network, Network!

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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 Educations 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

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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

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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 least in comparison to other
  specializations
• Careers in aging are best kept secrets
• Careers in aging are perceived as boring and
  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 nations older
  population (NASW- Listening session for the
  WHCoA)

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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

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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

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Project Planning

• Determined Project Scope
• Team Assets Resources
• Project Plan
• Scheduled Deliverable Dates
• Goals
• Model Project
• True Team Effort !!!!

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Team Assets Resources

• UHGC
• Space for Computers
• Internet Access
• Staff / Nurse Participation Supervision
• Enthusiastic Residents
• WCC
• Nursing Faculty
• Computer Club
• Support

• Pace University
• Faculty
• Curriculum Development
• Service Learning Students
• Student Supervision
• Lab Setups Donation Assistance
• Westchester DSPS
• Alliance for Aging
• SPEAKUP