Rileys create endowment supporting Penn State Intergenerational Program

November 18, 2021

For Tony and Jeanne Riley, longtime supporters of the College of Agricultural Sciences, it was through the connections the college made possible that they found the inspiration for their most recent $50,000 commitment supporting the work of Matthew Kaplan, professor of intergenerational programs and aging and director of the Penn State Intergenerational Program.

Three honored for commitment to diversity in College of Agricultural Sciences

May 25, 2020

Aging is a dimension of diversity. Hence it was no surprise that work carried out through the Penn State Intergenerational Program was among the initiatives acknowledged by the Dr. William Henson Diversity Achievement Award committee - for advancing diversity in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Surviving Social Distancing – Lack of connection can be especially hard on older adults who aren’t at ease with technology

May 20, 2020

Penn State News article by Cherie Winner.

Book on "Intergenerational Contact Zones"

February 28, 2020

"Intergenerational Contact Zones: Place-based Strategies for Promoting Social Inclusion and Belonging." -- Edited by: Matthew Kaplan, Leng Leng Thang, Mariano Sánchez, Jaco Hoffman

Scholars, Faculty, Guests Weigh Intergenerational Approaches to Climate Change

October 9, 2019

Penn State professor Matthew Kaplan led a panel of perspectives regarding challenges and solutions of climate change as part of a Schreyer Honors College Distinguished Honors Faculty Program event on September 24, 2019.

Intergenerational fair designed to strengthen families, enhance communities

June 1, 2019

The State College Friends School and Penn State's Intergenerational Leadership Institute partnered to host the area's first community-wide intergenerational gathering on June 1, 2019.

Penn State’s “Intergenerational Leadership Institute” Gains Steam

December 15, 2017

The ILI (Intergenerational Leadership Institute) is a certificate-training program developed by Penn State University in 2015 for older adults (primary target audience is 55+) seeking new lifelong learning experiences, skills, and volunteer opportunities to contribute to innovation and change in their communities.

New Research and Resources on Grandfamilies

December 15, 2017

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in research and resources for grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren ("grandfamilies"). See below for information on new resources (including reports, websites, new programs, and multimedia training materials) developed to support grandfamilies.

Penn State - Harrisburg Students Bond with Middletown Home Residents

December 15, 2017

For several weeks of a human development and family studies course titled “Perspectives on Aging,” Penn State Harrisburg students are paired with residents at a continuing care retirement community to mine their memories and deepen their understanding of each other in ways they didn't expect.

Memory Cafes

December 15, 2017

A Memory Café is a place where individuals with dementia or memory loss and their caregivers can get together in a safe, supportive, engaging, and accepting environment. If you are interested in learning more about starting a Memory Café, free training and assistance is available through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Intergenerational Learning at the International School of Paris: Building bridges between cultures and generations

December 15, 2017

From making French baguettes, to sharing chocolate mouse, playing Scrabble in French, reading poems and visiting famous French monuments, primary school students and senior volunteers have a great time at the International School of Paris.

The “Valuing Vaccinations Across Generations” Campaign continues to evolve and grow

December 15, 2017

Generations United’s Valuing Vaccinations Across Generations campaign launched in the United States through partnerships with the Gerontological Society of America and the American Academy of Pediatrics (with support from Pfizer) has gone international.

"Alleviating the Stress on Working Families: Promoting Family-Friendly Workplace Policies"

December 15, 2017

This new NCFR (National Council on Family Relations) Policy Brief on family-friendly workplace policies was written by Dr. Bahira Sherif Trask.

A Look at How Volunteering Benefits Older Adults’ Cognition

December 15, 2017

Researchers recently looked at the association of volunteering with cognitive functioning in a large longitudinal study to gain additional insights into which aspects of older adults’ cognition are particularly impacted by volunteering and to see who might receive the greatest cognitive benefit from volunteering.

Aging and Caregiving in the News

December 15, 2017

See below for an assortment of updates on recent research on aging and caregiving.

Call for Papers – Journal of Intergenerational Relationships - on Social Isolation and Loneliness: Intergenerational Perspectives and Response

December 15, 2017

Co-editors for this special issue of the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships are: Alan Hatton-Yeo, D.Univ, MBE and Alison Clyde

Home Share International Announces New Website

December 15, 2017

Homesharing enables two unrelated people to share a home and their lives for their mutual benefit. There are now Homeshare programs in 14 countries from Canada to Korea, Austria to Australia. These programs typically match older householders with young homesharers.

"Generations, Intergenerational Relations and Generational Policy"

December 15, 2017

The "International Network for the Analysis of Intergenerational Relations" has issued this jointly produced compendium in 17 languages.

Generations Remixed - 2017 Global Intergenerational Conference

January 6, 2017

Generations United's 19th Biennial Conference cohosted by the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care June 13-16, 2017 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Stepping Stones – Transitions from University Employment to "Retirement"

January 6, 2017

by Matt Kaplan, Professor, Intergenerational Programs and Aging, Penn State University

Traveling Dark Days

January 6, 2017

by Ken Gergen, Co-editor of the Positive Aging Newsletter

Penn State Student-Faculty Team Collaborate on the Integration of an Intergenerational Schooling Model in Spain

January 6, 2017

by Carolyn Reyes, recent graduate of the M.S. program in Rural Sociology and International Agriculture and Development at Penn State University

Food that’s Real for the Family Meal

January 6, 2017

by Sunny Rehler, Coordinator of Religious Education, State College Friends Meeting

Generation to Generation! - A national campaign to mobilize adults 50+ to help young people thrive

January 6, 2017

Generation to Generation is a new five-year campaign to mobilize 1 million people over 50 to stand up for kids and, in turn, show what's possible when people across generations work together.

Treat Me Like a Person, Because That is What I Still Am.

January 6, 2017

A report on dementia from the Sodexo Institute for Quality of Life.

Mama Left Me – Carol Ingram Moore’s book about one grandfamily’s trials and tribulations

January 6, 2017

Author and educator, Carol Ingram Moore, explores the thorny emotional and psychological terrain traveled by children being raised by their grandparents and other relatives.

Across the Generations: Four New Picture Books Celebrate the Power of Grandparents

January 6, 2017

By DANIEL HANDLER [New York Times - Book Review section (Nov. 11, 2016)]

Policy in Perspective: The Future of Family Caregiving

January 6, 2017

Article and podcast posted by Mathematica Policy Research (Oct. 2015).

Raising the Children of the Opioid Epidemic: Solutions and Supports for Grandfamilies

January 6, 2017

State of Grandfamilies in America – 2016 report from Generations United

Ten Daily Apps to Help Caregivers Take Care of Their Loved Ones

January 6, 2017

From Mashable, Sept. 25, 2016 (article by Katie Dupere)

Contact Us

Matthew Kaplan, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Intergenerational Programs and Aging

Contact Us

Matthew Kaplan, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Intergenerational Programs and Aging