Unique experience demonstrates life-long learning in action

A one-of-a-kind trailblazing project from Niagara College’s School of Community Services and Heidehof – a well-known seniors care community home in St. Catharines – has been recognized with a provincial industry award for its innovative approach to intergenerational learning and social connection.

The project – “A Senior’s Freshman Year: The Intergenerational College Experience” – involved 29 first-year students from NC’sRecreation Therapy program and 10 seniors living at the home in Long-term Care, Supportive Housing and Life Lease units.

The unique experience was delivered during NC’s 2024 winter term from January to April through the Recreation Therapy program’s Applied Positive Strategies in Therapeutic Recreation course, which focuses on strategies for increasing wellbeing through positive psychology.

“The course content lent itself well to the project,” said Heather Vokey, part-time NC Professor and Manager of Life Enrichment at Heidehof who taught the course. “It was applicable to the NC students preparing for their future careers as Recreation Therapists and for the seniors who could take a lot of the strategies and apply them to their own lives, increasing their wellbeing.”

The outcome of the project included three main focuses: foster and sustain relationships between students and the senior participants; learn and engage in self-directed meaningful activities that promote well-being; and instill a sense of meaning and purpose in the seniors through mentoring students.

To accomplish these goals, both the NC students and the seniors – the “Heidehof students” – attended class together at the home on Tuesday mornings for 14 weeks. Each class consisted of a two-hour lecture, a one-hour hands-on activity and “mentor moments” – intentional learning exercises where the seniors shared their life experiences with the NC students.

Through the opportunity, the NC students gained a practical understanding and application of the course theory in a real-world setting, earning a credit towards their diploma in the process, while all participants discovered the value of belonging to a healthy, inclusive, life-long learning community.

“This course really proves that you can never be too old to learn,” said one Heidehof senior student.

“Back when I was in school, mental health was not thought of in a positive way, however by taking this course it provides education on better outlooks that they did not have then,” said another Heidehof senior student.

Meaningful relationships also blossomed between participants, demonstrating that social connection has no age boundary.

“This experience opened my eyes when it came to long-term care because when I first enrolled in the Recreation Therapy program, I wanted to work with children. After genuinely bonding with my Heidehof student, my outlook on my original target population to work with changed and long-term care was my ideal setting,” said NC student Cassidy King.

“This course is something I will never forget and I am lucky that I had the opportunity to meet my resident because she is someone who, even though the positive psychology course is done, I will continue to visit and hold very close to my heart,” King added.

The project was funded through a New Horizons Grant from the federal government, which provided the necessary course materials and iPads for the seniors to learn on. The funding also enabled the team to hire an assistant, Lauren Cooke, who worked closely with Vokey to support the project. Cooke gathered regular participant feedback and helped plan the activities that correlated to the class topic each week. Activities included balloon tennis, exercise classes, bowling, gratitude jars and more.

“The weekly activities fostered a sense of inclusion and belonging, teamwork, respect, and appreciation for one another among the participants,” said Cooke, who completed NC’s Recreation Therapy program in December 2023 and will graduate this June. “The connections made, the relationships they formed, while also learning something new that they can apply to their positive well-being, has been an endearing privilege to watch.”

Cooke also completed her field placement at Heidehof as an NC student, which helped her in her role supporting the intergenerational project.

The initiative exceeded the expectations of Jackie Frail, NC’s Associate Dean, School of Community Services, who worked with Vokey on the funding application and project framework back in 2022.

“I am immensely proud of the collaboration between Niagara College and Heidehof,” said Frail. “This project stands as a shining example of our organizations’ shared commitment to making a significant impact in the lives of those we serve and is a hallmark for meaningful applied learning opportunities for students. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the students from both NC and Heidehof for their unwavering dedication to this experience.”

In addition to learning practical skills through the experience, the NC students gained many valuable soft skills that will help them become compassionate recreation therapists.

“I have learned a lot beyond the class material itself. I have learned patience, I have learned how to better communicate and listen to people when they have things to share, and I have also learned how to be a better friend,” said NC student Annabelle Stephens-Beaudoin.

Participants celebrated their final class together on April 9, which was followed by a surprise luncheon organized by Vokey and Cooke.

Industry recognition

On April 17, Heidehof and NC were recognized for the project by AdvantAge Ontario, the voice of not-for-profit seniors’ care in Ontario for more than 100 years.

The project received the Innovation and Excellence Community Connections Award, which honours initiatives that build strong, positive relationships to better serve the local community and that profile the organization and its services. Award winners may be distinguished through partnerships with other organizations, program expansion, public relations, community development activities, volunteer programs, or other outstanding community initiatives.

The award was presented on day one of the AdvantAge Ontario Advancing Senior Care Convention in Toronto. The three-day convention is attended by over 1,100 guests from across Canada including healthcare administrators, professionals and executives; government representatives; and sector stakeholders, who come together to connect, network and learn about the latest in seniors’ care.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 11,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor’s degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.