Giving Students a

Look at Aging

Giving Students a

Look at Aging

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UTMB Health

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UTMB Health

Let’s explore together…

• Who am I, where is my OLLI, and why this workshop?

• Do you already have any intergenerational programs?

• Do you plan to begin one or expand what you already do?

Objectives for Today:

• Define 3 levels of intergenerational learning/sharing possible in your OLLI

• Explore examples of successful intergenerational programming

• Examine peer-reviewed literature • Assess how these principles apply at

your OLLI

Three Levels of Intergenerational Learning

1. Elementary students share lifestory and occupational mentorship

2. Community college students visit classes, interview students

3. Post-graduate OT, PA, MDs and MD students rotate, volunteer, and

teach

Elementary School and OLLI

1. Local Satori School project: Students interview OLLI members, write their “lifestories,” then give a dramatic presentation and present books

2. Local public middle school classes “interview” OLLI members from various backgrounds: ferry boat captain, hospital dietician, jazz musician

Community College Students

• Nursing students interview OLLI members and visit classes

• OLLI interactions fulfill “Community visits” required for graduation

• CNAs, LVNs, RNs, and others choose experiences at OLLI as a component of their curriculum

Free Fitness Classes at OLLI

“People in an informal setting in activities to further health of mind, body, and soul!”

UTMB OT, PA, and MD Students and Residents

• OT Master’s student research outcomes garnered high marks from faculty

• PA students fulfill community requirements in OLLI

• Medical students from first and fourth years, Residents from Family Medicine, MD/PhD, and Geriatric Fellows

Medical Students’ Presentation

Fourth year students collaborated on peer reviewed presentation at 2014 UT Innovations in Health Sciences Education Conference in Austin“Now I have concrete advice on

healthy aging for my patients!”

Philip, Fourth Year StudentThree things learned:• I was less strong/flexible than OLLI members• How little some know about computers• The wonderful life that can be achieved with

focus on healthy living and lifelong learning (in contrast to grim outlooks on life in hospice home visits)

Med Students in Pilates

“OLLI members could bend, flex, and balance in ways I could not!”

Dimple, Fourth Year Student

Three things learned:• Art teacher explained more cohesively

than any college teacher• Fascinating multitude of diversity—

variety of voices, conclusions, meanings• Best elective in all of medical school—I

tell everyone!

Students Try Meditation and Yoga

“How hard could it be? I was sore for days afterward!”

How it Works…

• UTMB Faculty request experience in OLLI for their students

• Schedule includes movement/fitness, academic, lifestory, and interviews

• Students meet with director for program overview and peer-reviewed literature

Research Support

• Hiking in the Geriatric Rotation, Weiss, Tomasa, Journal of Family Medicine

• Taking Integrative Healthcare Education to the Community, Sierpina, Kreitzer, Sierpina, Explore

• Leisure Activities and Risk of Dementia, Verghese, et. al., NEJM

Evaluation ComponentUTMB Faculty Share Evaluations:• 100% positive assessments• Students requested two days per week in OLLI

instead of one• Some students scheduled three day per week

in OLLI• Students requested opportunities to return to

OLLI after elective concludes

My Favorite…Lifestory• Effects of Life Review on Depressive Symptoms,

Chippendale, Bear-Lehman, American Journal of OT

• Improving Depressive Symptoms… Mastel-Smith, et. al., Journal of Gerontological Nursing

• Leisure Activities and Risk of Dementia, Verghese, et. al., NEJM

Your Reflections?

• How does intergenerational learning fit my OLLI’s goals and mission?

• How would OLLI members benefit?• How might students and our

community benefit?

Feel free to stay in touch…

Michelle Sierpina, PhDFounding Director

OLLI at UTMB Health

409.763.5604

msierpin@utmb.edu