A survey of academic research on programmes and challenges in the promotion of interaction between the elderly and children in institutional environments

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the contact and trends in published academic research on programmes and challenges in the areas of promoting interaction between the elderly and children in institutional environments in Japan. It involves a search of the online databases of the CiNii and Japan Medical Abstracts Society (from 2001 to 2011) using the following key terms: elderly, children, infants, interaction, intergenerational interaction, contact and institution. Analysis of seven texts located through this search revealed the following key issues in the promotion of interaction between the elderly and children in institutional environments: (1) Comprehension by elderly with health problems and disabilities; (2) children's comprehension; (3) collaboration and cooperation using the expertise of staff; and (4) creating stronger networks among stakeholders. The analysis also suggested the need for: (1) development of programmes matching the special attributes of the elderly and children; and (2) improvement of systems for training coordinators. Initiatives in these areas demand further developmental and empirical research.