Implementing Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) Model into an Undergraduate Therapeutic Recreation Course

Studying aging is vital for therapeutic recreation students due to several compelling factors, like an increasing aging population, prevalence of ageism in society, and rising numbers of recreational therapists providing services to older adults. In addition to educating students about the aging process, faculty members have the opportunity to develop innovative approaches within the therapeutic recreation curriculum to highlight how older adults contribute positively to society. Additionally, recreational therapists involved in developing intergenerational programs have a unique opportunity to facilitate positive connections between younger and older adults. This manuscript aimed to present how the Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) model was infused into an undergraduate therapeutic recreation course about aging and used to help design and implement two intergenerational service-learning projects.