None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The INCLUSIVE study aims to improve the health, well-being, and care of older Australians experiencing cognitive decline, based on input from people with lived experience of cognitive decline and their support networks. The aim of this trial is to test the effects of a 15-week intergenerational program on the quality of life and well-being through a trial. The intergenerational program brings together older adults experiencing cognitive decline and preschool children (aged 4-5) for structured activities involving physical, thinking/memory, and social activities. The program will be delivered at pre-school centres in the community. Each session is 1.5 hours long. Older adults experiencing cognitive decline will be recruited from the community and screened for eligibility. Once their eligibility is ascertained and they complete their initial assessments, they will be randomised to one of two study groups - the intervention or control group. The intervention group will receive their program as soon as sufficient older adults and children have been recruited and assessed at the pre-school site. For the control group, there is no change to their usual activities during their first 15-weeks. After their 15-week usual activity period and completion of their follow-up assessments, they will then receive the 15-week intergenerational program. The program they receive may differ slightly as adjustments may have been made depending on the feedback received from the intervention group.
Interventions
Participants will receive a 15-week intergenerational program (IGP), consisting of 1.5-hour weekly sessions conducted during pre-school hours. The IGP will be implemented by a trained educator from the project team alongside a maximum of 2 educators from the participating preschool (supporting the children) and up to 3 researchers from the project team (supporting the adults). The IGP will run at the same time and place each week.
Each session will incorporate:
(i) >45 minutes of physical act
Participants will receive a 15-week intergenerational program (IGP), consisting of 1.5-hour weekly sessions conducted during pre-school hours. The IGP will be implemented by a trained educator from the project team alongside a maximum of 2 educators from the participating preschool (supporting the children) and up to 3 researchers from the project team (supporting the adults). The IGP will run at the same time and place each week. Each session will incorporate: (i) >45 minutes of physical activities focussed on balance and strength (adaptable to individual ability levels), E.g. musical chairs/statues. (ii) cognitive activities (e.g. tasks involving memory, executive function or processing speed), E.g. Assembling a puzzle. (iii) social activities which require one-on-one communication and collaboration between the older adults and children. E.g. pot painting in pairs, and; (iv) opportunities for reciprocity and generativity integrated throughout (e.g. team building activities, generating shared goals). E.g. building the tallest castle. Weekly themes (e.g. under the sea, sports day) will facilitate session cohesion and participant engagement. All activities will be designed to be enjoyable, challenging, and engaging for both older adults and children. A toolkit of weekly themes and activities will be co-designed with a multidisciplinary team and experienced educator. Attendance for children and adults will be collected each week at all sites. Any reasons provided for non-attendance will be noted. Older adult participants may nominate a specific ‘caregiver or support person’ to provide support for them to attend sessions. The nominated person will not receive any intervention, but be able to stay on site in adjacent area.
Sponsors
The George Institute for Global Health
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Older Adults: *aged 60 or over *has a MoCA score of between 19-25/30 (probable MCI) *able to walk 6m with or without a walking aid *able to sit and stand from a chair with arms *resides in the community (may receive aged care at home) *holds an up to date working with children check *has no speech or sensory deficits that prevent interaction *who speak English Children: *aged 4 -5 years *attending the preschool at the study site or an affiliated preschool *fully toilet trained *able to engage in study activites without significant difficulties *who have provided verbal assent *where parents/guardians have provided written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Older adults: residing in residential aged care
Outcome results
None listed