Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Self-Reported Quality of Life Impacts on University Student and Older Adult Neighbors in a Personal Care Home Community

Intergenerational living emphasizes socialization and cooperation across generations. This mixed methods study describes a novel intergenerational community in a personal care home that situates graduate health science students as neighbors to older adult residents. The study aims to assess student attitudes about aging and the impact on quality of life from both student and older adult resident perspectives. Quantitative student outcomes were assessed at the start/end of the academic year using the Relating to Older People Evaluation and the Geriatric Attitudes Scale. Qualitative reporting included interviews with student residents at the start/end and older adult residents at the end of that academic year. Quantitative results demonstrated no significant changes over time. Qualitative results include the value of intergenerational living, impacts on mental health through relationships, and learning from wisdom. Intergenerational living communities could possibly improve the quality of life of both students and older adults.