Lessons learned from an intergenerational health promotion program focused on virtual community engagement

Social isolation and loneliness remain persistent issues among older adults, par- ticularly those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), who face additional barriers to meaningful social engagement. At the same time, underrepresented university students often report limited opportunities to participate in community-centered learning experiences, which can reduce aca- demic engagement and increase vulnerability to depression, substance use, and other stress-related challenges. Intergenerational programs such as Virtual Time- Out@UCLA intentionally address both needs by pairing college students with older adults living with ADRD for structured, dementia-focused weekly ses- sions. Program evaluation data were collected through student surveys, including the 20-item Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), a self-rated confidence measure assessing comfort in working with older adults, and semi-structured inter- views with caregivers. In semi-structured interviews, caregivers partici- pating in Virtual TimeOut@UCLA reported clear benefits for the individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and stated that they would recommend the program to others. Student participants reported more pos- itive attitudes toward persons living with dementia and greater confi- dence in interacting with older adults. Although larger studies, particularly within populations vulnerable to social isolation, are needed to corroborate these findings and examine care-related outcomes, the results suggest that Virtual TimeOut@UCLA may strengthen community connection and enhance resiliency through intergenerational engagement.