Older Adults’ Wellbeing and Involvement in a Uruguayan Intergenerational Learning Initiative

Within Latin America, the evidence surrounding intergenerational learning experiences remains limited. This study addresses this gap and marks a significant contribution to the literature by evaluating a Uruguayan intergenerational learning program using a systematic mixed-methods approach–the first of its kind in this country. Over eight workshops, the program assessed levels of wellbeing and involvement among older adult participants through observation, a series of interviews and focus groups. The findings revealed medium-to-high levels of wellbeing, increased involvement over time and a desire for program continuity. Notably, participants expressed interest in assuming leadership roles in planning and found smaller group settings to be more beneficial to engagement. The results provide comprehensive insights into participant preferences for intergenerational programs and their effectiveness. These findings pave the way for future research and the development of tailored intergenerational programs that cater to the unique sociocultural context of Uruguay and beyond.