Interprofessional Collaboration to Address Social Isolation and Facilitate Intergenerational Service Learning within Graduate Education

Authors

  • Angela Lavery West Chester University
  • Erin Knight West Chester University
  • Stephanie Cole Pennsylvania Department of Aging
  • Stacie Metz West Chester University

Keywords:

interdisciplinary, older adults, social networks, university students, aging

Abstract

This article presents an interdisciplinary collaboration to address the needs of older adults at risk of social isolation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. An intergenerational service-learning program developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging was offered to several universities across the state of Pennsylvania. The authors share their experience and lessons learned from pairing older adults with graduate students studying in the fields of Gerontology, Public Health, and Social Work.

Author Biographies

Angela Lavery, West Chester University

Angela Lavery is an Associate Professor with the Graduate Social Work Department and the Graduate Coordinator of the interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Gerontology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Fellow in Thanatology through the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Dr. Lavery earned a PhD in Social Work at the University of Denver.

Erin Knight, West Chester University

Erin Knight is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Health at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate public health. She holds a doctorate in Urban Affairs and Public policy from the University of Delaware, where she served as the Associate Director of the Partnership for Healthy Communities, a university-wide community engagement initiative, which she helped to launch in 2017. Her research interests include identifying, evaluating and promoting policies and practices to advance health equity by addressing social determinants of health. 

Stephanie Cole, Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Stephanie Cole is the Special Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Special Projects at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. She is a 2022 recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Excellence for her development of the Intergenerational University Connections program.

Stacie Metz, West Chester University

Stacie Metz, PhD, MPH, MSW, MA is a Professor and the Master of Public Health Program Director and Graduate Coordinator with the Department of Health at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She earned her doctorate in Public Health Studies - Health Services Research from Saint Louis University in 2006 where she worked as a program evaluator and analyst for a variety of chronic disease and community health projects. She is a strong proponent of interprofessional community engagement and collaborates on a range of projects, presentations, and publications with colleagues, community partners, students, and alumni.

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Published

07/28/2023

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Insights, Case Studies, and Applications

License

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