Bridging Generations Through Technology

1 Change at a Time has been operating its Bridging Generations program at nursing facilities in lower Westchester for over five years. This program brings young volunteers into nursing homes to interact with residents. The program’s mission is to facilitate learning and companionship between residents and volunteers. Since Bridging Generations cannot operate in facilities at this time, the organization is raising $6,000 in funding for the purchase of 15 tablets for the residents of Dumont Center, a nursing and rehab facility, so the project can continue to connect with and support the residents, and the youth volunteers, through technology.

New Rochelle, NY was subject to a town wide containment zone early in the pandemic when a cluster of COVID-19 cases were discovered there. Outside visitors to Dumont Center were soon barred from entering the facility to protect the health of its residents. Eventually, as the pandemic spread, the Center’s residents were confined to their rooms resulting in very little contact with people other than their caregivers.

Before the pandemic, Bridging Generations brought youth volunteers into the Center several times a month for several hours at a time. The interactions between youth and residents greatly benefit each by providing space for friendships to develop, facilitating learning about a different generation, and stimulating minds through educational activities. Bridging Generations improves the health and well-being of elders and decreases their sense of isolation. The program also empowers youth, many of whom have family, educational, and self-esteem challenges, to develop their leadership skills and make a positive difference.

Bridging Generations through Technology 

As the pandemic continues, it is having a devastating toll on the physical and psychological health of nursing home and assisted living residents. Intergenerational programs must find new ways to reach residents. The use of technology in intergenerational programs is not a novel idea and has yielded positive outcomes (Welsh et al., 2018). One technology-based program called VITA allows volunteers to choose from a list of activities and download apps to help guide their visits with elders. The use of technology can be especially effective for elders with memory loss. For example, VITA was found to be so effective in facilitating visits with dementia patients that it reached therapeutic levels (Foong et al., 2017).

Before Center residents were confined to their rooms, Bridging Generations staff and volunteers delivered messages of hope and instructive videos, such as exercise routines, via YouTube, which residents could view in their recreation room; but now that residents cannot congregate, they need access to technology from their own rooms. The tablets will enable residents to continue to benefit from these messages of hope from their rooms.

The tablets will also help residents connect with family and friends, as well as the volunteers, via video conferencing, chatting, and email. The tablets will facilitate the continuation of volunteers’ friendships with specific residents and help forge new friendships. 

Desired Outcomes 

The loneliness and isolation experienced by residents can lessen their well-being, sense of purpose, and psychological and mental health. Connecting with youth volunteers can increase their sense of purpose as they share their experiences and wisdom and act as mentors. By continuing to bridge generations through technology, 1 Change seeks to achieve the following outcomes for youth and residents:

• Continue building intergenerational relationships between local youth and elderly residents to forge learning and understanding between generations
• Improve the health and social wellness of the residents and youth volunteers
• Develop volunteers’ leadership skills, strengthen their positive values and sense of purpose, and empower youth to make a change
• Increase residents’ sense of purpose, decrease their feelings of isolation, and enhance their physical and mental health.

Each of these outcomes will be evaluated using standardized instruments and individual interviews. 

Our Experience

1 Change has been delivering quality programming in the lower Westchester County region for over five years. The organization’s other projects include raising funds and gathering school supplies for local youth and providing gifts to residents during the holidays. 1 Change founder, Mr. Leonard Abbott, was inspired to do this work because elders had such a profound effect on his life trajectory as a struggling youth. He wanted to give back to the community and involve other youth in these intergenerational relations that make such as difference in everyone’s lives. Current community partners include public schools, college student groups, and the Girl Scouts. 1 Change is currently led by a diverse team of dedicated volunteers who plan program activities and recruit and train volunteers. 

Thank you for your support!