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Article
An Intergenerational Choir Formed to Lessen Alzheimer’s Disease Stigma in College Students and Decrease the Social Isolation of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Family Members A Pilot Study
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias (2014)
  • Phyllis B. Harris, John Carroll University
  • Cynthia A. Caporella, John Carroll University
Abstract

The intergenerational choir was formed for the purpose of combating the stigma of Alzheimer's disease in college students, and in that process also lessening the social isolation of people with AD and their family members. The choir was composed of 13 college students and 13 people with AD and a family member. Data from the college students were gathered through semi-structured open-ended questions on attitudes and knowledge about AD, collected at three points in time over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Data were collected from the people with AD and their family members through a focus group and observations over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Results a show a decrease in social isolation for the older choir members, and for the college students: a decrease in negative attitudes, an increase in positive attitudes and themes of - recognizing capabilities, expanded understanding of AD, reduced stigma, and reduced social discomfort.

Publication Date
Spring May, 2014
Citation Information
Phyllis B. Harris and Cynthia A. Caporella. "An Intergenerational Choir Formed to Lessen Alzheimer’s Disease Stigma in College Students and Decrease the Social Isolation of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Family Members A Pilot Study" American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias Vol. 29 Iss. 3 (2014)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/phyllis_harris/14/