Межпоколенческая коммуникация

The chapter reviews educational opportunities for the elderly in the US, Russia, and other countries, and draws comparisons between educational systems. The chapter presents examples of elderly participation in education in a traditional university setting, in special universities for the elderly, and in studyabroad courses where non-traditional students are forced to engage in intense intergenerational communication. The author, who regularly leads study-abroad programs for American students in Russia, provides an analysis of the intergenerational communication and educational experience of the elderly who have participated in his programs.

With the growth of the aging population, there is a variety of opportunities for intergenerational service learning. Potential partners in this venture might include adult day care centers, community groups, senior centers, facilities for veterans, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. It is proposed that Russian universities could adopt strategies in service learning already developed by their American counterparts and involve students in various intergenerational projects and communication. The chapter ends with a review of volunteer projects in Russia aimed at helping the elderly meet their communication and other social needs.