Intergenerational Rural Health Programming Through Active Aging for L.I.F.E

TL;DR

This paper introduces a program called Active Aging for L.I.F.E. that connects older adults and students to promote health and wellness in rural communities.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel intergenerational rural health education approach centered on active aging.

Findings

The program connects older adults and college students to teach high school students about health and wellness.

Mixed-method findings show the potential of intergenerational community-based active aging programming.

The program emphasizes the interconnectedness of longevity, independence, fitness, and engagement.

Abstract

Aging is a process in which everyone is involved, as it is a lifelong experience, not just a later life occurrence. The Active Aging for L.I.F.E. collaborative project provides a novel rural health education approach promoting positive health outcomes for intergenerational participants. The program is developed to focus on the interrelationships between Longevity, Independence, Fitness and Engagement (L.I.F.E.), bringing together L.I.F.E. Leader teams of older adults (50+) and college-age students who are trained in the four L.I.F.E. modules. The L.I.F.E. Leaders then take the program to rural high school students in four sessions, focusing on the interconnected network of personal and professional health and wellness opportunities. This presentation provides guidance and tools for the Active Aging for L.I.F.E. program and demonstrates through mixed-method findings the potential of intergenerational rural community-based active aging programming.