Intergenerational service-learning, in combination, with health promotion have the dynamic to bring people together in common purpose to address personal, national, and global health issues. The Adult Health and Development Program at the University of Maryland (AHDP/UMCP), and its spread to over 25 other colleges and universities (called the National Network for Intergenerational Health – NNIH) are one model. The AHDP/NNIH pair trained students with older institutionalized and non-institutionalized adults in a playful environment of fun, physical and social activities, and health education. In this way negative age, economic, ethnic, racial, and health labels and stereotypes are reduced or eliminated enabling participants to become empathetic and understanding of one another. Friendship and trust develop. Such a mutually beneficial and supportive environment is seen as sine qua non to addressing larger social health issues such as eliminating economic and health disparities, violence, and otherwise tightening the social fabric. Using the written insights and evaluations of AHDP/UMCP participants', and a videotape, the process and dynamics inherent in any AHDP are described. Recommendations center upon dissemination of such health promotion and in-service programs, and research into the value of fun, play, physical and social activities, and health education, in an intergenerational context, in addressing larger social issues. It will be followed by a discussion of the implications of the AHDP/NNIH for higher education, gerontology, health promotion, and reducing violence. See www.inform.umd.edu/AHDP
Learning Objectives: 1. Understand some of the theory and methods of the 29 year old Adult Health & Development Program, and its spread throughout the country (AHDP/NNIH). 2. Articulate how the AHDP/NNIH reduces negative stereotypes about age, ethnicity, race, and economic class. 3. Describe how the AHDP contributes to the health and well-being of diverse groups of older adults by means of intergenerational, individualized health promotion and rehabilitation. 4. Understand how the AHDP/NNIH health promotion and rehabilitation model might serve to increase social integration of diverse groups, and reduce the probability of violence. 5. Know the procedure for developing an AHDP at a college or university.
Keywords: Health Promotion, People-Caused Deaths
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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