PREPARING FOR INTERGENERATIONAL INTERVIEWS
In the 1960s, reminiscence therapy was introduced as a method to improve the self-esteem and sense of fulfillment of older individuals by providing them with opportunities to look back at their lives. Although reminiscence therapy was pioneered by professionals who cared for elders at institutions, innovative intergenerational interview models are growing in popularity and proving to be effective.
Intergenerational interviews typically involve students conducting life reviews with elders using historical materials from the person's past. Research indicates that these interactions not only reduce anxiety among elders, but also benefit students. In fact, students who interviewed elders reported having increased awareness of dementia, fewer stereotypes about older adults, changed attitudes about aging, and improved academic performance. |
In preparation for the upcoming intergenerational interviews with residents from The Lantern, this lesson will challenge students to empathize with senior citizens, develop interview questions, and perfect their interviewing technique. At the conclusion of the lesson, students will self-assess their interview questions and reflect on the strategies shared in class.
How to be an empathetic interviewer
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Read "My World Now" by Anna Mae Halgram Seaver and participate in small group discussion about etiquette when interviewing elders.
Questions to consider: 1. Why might have Anna Mae Halgram Seaver's son chose to publish this essay in a national magazine? What conversation(s) does the article generate within families, and in society? 2. Compare and contrast Anna Mae Halgram Seaver's essay to the experiences of Morrie Schwartz. 3. What are the implications of the "My World Now" essay for our upcoming intergenerational interviews?
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Developing interview questions
You and up to two of your classmates will be conducting an intergenerational interview with one elder. Today you will be developing questions to make sure the interview goes smooth. Try to write questions that are simple and clear. Start with open ended questions for each topic. Use closed ended questions only for clarification. In the "class notes" section of your notebook, develop 5 questions for each of the topics listed below. Be sure to leave space that you can use to record an answer.
Photographs: Each elder will bring 3-5 photographs that are important to them. Develop 3-5 questions that you could ask them about the photographs.
Childhood: Many elders recall their childhood better than more recent times. Develop 3-5 questions that you could ask them about their early years.
Schooling: Outside of family, school can be one of the most influential times in a persons life. Develop 3-5 questions that you could ask their elder about their education, extracurriculars, and social life when they were in school.
Family & Career: Many elders consider their family and/or career among their greatest accomplishments. Develop 3-5 questions for your elder about their adult life, marriage, starting a family, vacations, and jobs they may have had.
Retirement: A good opportunity to discuss grandkids, hobbies, volunteering, and travels. Develop 3-5 questions for your elder about their later years.
If you are struggling to develop questions of your own, these web pages may provide some inspiration: Making A Memory Book and How to Create a Memories Book for Seniors.
Photographs: Each elder will bring 3-5 photographs that are important to them. Develop 3-5 questions that you could ask them about the photographs.
Childhood: Many elders recall their childhood better than more recent times. Develop 3-5 questions that you could ask them about their early years.
Schooling: Outside of family, school can be one of the most influential times in a persons life. Develop 3-5 questions that you could ask their elder about their education, extracurriculars, and social life when they were in school.
Family & Career: Many elders consider their family and/or career among their greatest accomplishments. Develop 3-5 questions for your elder about their adult life, marriage, starting a family, vacations, and jobs they may have had.
Retirement: A good opportunity to discuss grandkids, hobbies, volunteering, and travels. Develop 3-5 questions for your elder about their later years.
If you are struggling to develop questions of your own, these web pages may provide some inspiration: Making A Memory Book and How to Create a Memories Book for Seniors.
Perfecting interviewing techniques
Although encouraging elders to reminisce about past experiences can be rewarding, interviewers must be thoughtful about their technique in order to improve communication, ease frustration, and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings. This small group activity is designed to prepare students for what to expect and what they can do to help. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Alzheimer's damages pathways in the brain, which makes it difficult to find the right words and to understand what others are saying. A person with Alzheimer's disease might have trouble finding the right words or invent an entirely new word to describe a familiar object. He or she might get stuck in a groove — like a skipping record — and repeat the same word or question over and over. A person living with Alzheimer's disease might also: lose his or her train of thought; struggle to organize words logically; speak less often; revert to a native language.
Students should follow these tips to improve communication with the elders they interview (sources include WebMD, Alzheimer's Association, The Mayo Clinic, and Hillendale Home Care):
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