EFFECTS OF INTERGENERATIONAL MASSAGE ON FUTURE CAREGIVERS' ATTITUDES TOWARD AGING, THE ELDERLY, AND CARING FOR THE ELDERLY

This study addressed the issue of how educators can best change future caregivers' attitudes toward aging and caring for the elderly. The goal of this study was to design the most effective curriculum to change attitudes and thereby better prepare health care professionals to serve older adults. The study built on previous work that showed curriculum modules that included both instruction about aging and contact with older adults have been effective in changing attitudes and increasing interest in working with the elderly. The therapeutic massage course in this study offered the opportunity to learn how the addition of a third element -- touch -- and the relative intensity of the massage interaction would affect student attitudes and ideas. The study found a very positive shift in student attitudes toward the elderly during the massage experience, suggesting that intergenerational massage is an important element in educating caregiving professionals for work with older adults