An intergenerational club, and a nature-based group for people living with dementia and their care partners.

This study will explore the impacts of an intergenerational cafe pilot project (4 sessions) on both graduate/undergraduate level students and community dwelling older adults from the Hamilton community who will be invited to join and participate in the café. The research will explore the pre and post views of older adults attending to evaluate the influence it has (if any) on their social health and wellbeing, as well as the experiences of students who participate in the project.

Intergenerational engagement and connection is advocated as a way to help support both younger people and older people. This project will allow the research team to gather data to evaluate if the intergenerational cafe concept offers a way for younger and older generations to interact and learn from one another, and if the cafes are perceived by attendees as contributing to the promotion of social health and wellbeing. The four-session cafe program includes a music-based session, an art viewing session, an art creation session and a social event where cafe participants will have the opportunity to eat and socialize together.