Dr. Piper Center Community Connections

Before the creation of this initiative the Dr. Piper Center struggled with closing the gap between older adults and young people. Seniors begin to keep to themselves and struggle with isolation, loneliness and have a sense of uselessness. The Community Connection initiative creates an avenue for these isolated seniors to have a greater sense of purpose. The younger people are therefore given an opportunity to interact with these seniors in a comfortable way. Intergenerational groups connote the process of bridging beyond and moving across what is often perceived as barriers in relationships between generations. Several studies support the benefits of systematically reducing self isolation for both older adults and other vulnerable populations and a strong and consistent social support system which is offered to the consumer (outreach) reduces the risk of inpatient medical and mental health hospital utilizations, chronic physical illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, and the need for long term out of home placements (Caplan, 2004; Chan, Kasper, Black & Rabins, 2003; Ghose, Williams & Swindle, 2005; Keyes, 2004; 2005; Reynolds et al., 1997). The benefits of psychosocial contact in helping to prevent depression (e.g. Kasen, Cohen, Chen & Castille, 2003; Russell & Cutrona, 1991) and anxiety (e.g. Fry, 2003) as well as improving overall quality of life (e.g., Cohen & Wills, 1985; House, Landis & Umberson, 1988; Stanley, Beck & Zebb, 1998) have been well researched and documented. Programs supplying these intergenerational social support services serve as ‘ice breakers’ which encourage the participants to venture out of their home more often to seek additional services such as pharmacological and/or psychosocial interventions, or to enjoy the companionship of others (Health Resources and Services Administration, 1993; Korte & Gupta, 1988; Mistry, Rosansky, McGuire, McDermott & Jarvik, 2001). Copyright © 2009 Advances in Social Work Vol. 10 No. 1 (Spring 2009), 39-50. Scott P. Anstadt, Ph.D, DCSW, LCSW, IABMCP, is an instructor in the Division of Social Work, College of Professional Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Fl. Deb Byster is a Master’s candidate at Walden University. The Community Connection can serve as a stress alleviator and informal resource provider for those who have been affected by the economic downturn. The two major programs that we manage serve six counties. In these counties we see a definite need for this kind of intergenerational/multicultural programming. With our current funding we can reach our small Dunbar community (zip codes 33901, 33905, 33916 and 33917) go as far south as Naples and as far north as Sarasota.