Year 10 iGEN

What is Year 10 iGEN?

In partnership with Mercy Health and Australian Catholic University, CMC students engage in an inter-generational program with residents from Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged or Golden Rise Seniors Living Community. The students participate in an innovative intergenerational program designed to develop a range of personal and life skills which will enhance opportunities and pathways for the future. The engagement and connection between the residents and students will enrich their lives and contribute to improved understanding of how positive relationships can impact health and wellbeing.

Research in similar programs nationally and internationally has demonstrated that intergenerational partnerships have long-lasting positive impacts on all participants.

About this subject

Once a week, students spend time at Bethlehem Home for the Aged or Golden Rise with the residents. During this time they support the staff in providing a variety of activities for the residents, such as gardening, bingo, exercise, news updates, art and craft, board games, while engaging in meaningful conversation and connection. Students can also work with staff and residents to create solutions to challenges within the home space.

Prior to commencing visits to the home, students undertake a number of pre-education modules that have been developed in partnership with Mercy Health. In this pre-education stage, students will engage with a Mercy Health Nurse Educator to learn about topics such as Ageing, Dementia, Infection Control, Communication Tips, and Palliative Care so that when we start our program at the homes the students are informed and skilled to engage in a positive relationship with the residents.

Students undertake journal writing, write letters to their residents and work on discussion questions each week. Students complete research, planning and reflection related to an area of aged care, that may include activity planning or larger projects.

Classes also complete an online course with Dementia Training Australia to enhance their understanding of ageing, and build strategies to support people living with dementia.

During the semester, students will complete tasks that contribute to completion of Religion and Society Unit 1.

Please note that there is an application form for this subject, that can be found in the Student Links section on SIMON. This form must be completed in addition to the online subject selection.

Benefits of the program

The program aims to help students and residents in the following areas:

Development of students interpersonal skills.
Students develop a greater sense of empathy and compassion.
Increased initiative, independence, interdependence and leadership of students.
Decreased loneliness.
Increased happiness.
Improvement of quality of life for aged care and student communities.
Improvement of the quality of aged care and educational services.
Delayed mental decline of residents.
Positive implementation of Mercy community values.
Increased understanding of career opportunities in aged care.

Student Testimonies

"iGEN is a great way to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things that may make you uncomfortable but will also teach you and allow you to develop skills that you will use throughout your whole life."

"The experiences that I have been lucky enough to have with the residents have been incredible and I will cherish the memories & connection that I have with the residents forever."

"iGEN really taught us how to "learn on the job". All the students were out of their comfort zone and a bit nervous. Rather than learning content like you would traditionally, us students found that we learnt skills, which we believe are equally as important."

"It also taught me patience and peace by sitting down with certain residents who weren’t into talking and having to find a new way to communicate."

"iGEN was the chance to learn about the many different stories of residents…how they grew up, their struggles and how they overcome difficult times in their lives."

"It has taught me that respecting our elders is incredibly important as they have all gone through struggles and dealt with life’s challenges that we are yet to experience."

This subject may lead to

Students who undertake this subject will benefit no matter what pathway they choose to pursue. However, those who have a particular interest in health, community service, fitness or education fields may find this subject particularly beneficial.

The building of confidence, communication skills, empathy and understanding are just some of the benefits that will serve the students well no matter what pathway they take.

Who do I contact to find out more?

Mr Colin Hogan: chogan@cmc.vic.edu.au

Mrs Jessica Tasca: jtasca@cmc.vic.edu.au

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