Life cycle: a social-simulation game to improve attitudes and responses to the elderly

Teaching retirement financial literacy in an undergraduate gerontology classroom: broadening the concept of the tripod or three-legged stool of retirement income utilizing active learning

The three-legged stool concept is widely used in gerontological and geriatric education as an explanation on how one should fiscally approach his or her retirement. Financial managers, planners, retirees, business owners, even the Social Security Administration uses this metaphor of fiscal soundness in retirement planning. Gerontologists are moving away from the "tripod of retirement income" and "three-legged stool" term, as more often market work is needed for financial security. This activity focuses on the tripod or three-legged stool concepts of retirement planning using active learning, allowing the students to work collaboratively in a group, reflect upon the activity, and most importantly have fun. The game also allows for an expansion of the tripod concepts into the four pillars of economic security, broaching the use of personal assets and the possible need for longer employment. Game scenarios also emphasize macro- and microlevel forces, such as race, gender, health status, education, or marital status, which can influence timing of retirement or the level of retirement income available. The authors include instructions on how to set up the learning experience including worksheets, as well as reflection questions posed throughout the process.

A day in the life of an inpatient: an experiential game to promote empathy for individuals in a psychiatric hospital

The attitudes of hospital staff toward individuals with mental illness have been investigated, described in the literature, and discussed at national conferences. It has been suggested that attitudes are the precursors or determinants of behavior. Although the precise effect of staff attitude on patients is unclear, attitudes of the staff do appear to be related to their behavior and to have an impact on patients and their subsequent recovery. There are few precise answers on how to promote positive attitudes. While hospital policies and procedures can prescribe behaviors of staff, attitude cannot be dictated. Some studies have evaluated the effect of training and participation in milieu programs on the attitude of psychiatric staff. Simulation games recently have been explored as a possible way to influence the attitude of staff toward those with mental illness. This article describes an attempt at one state psychiatric hospital to influence in a positive way the attitude of the staff by using a simulation game called, A Day in the Life of an Inpatient. Adapted from Into Aging by Hoffman and Reif (1978), the game used by the authors provides a microcosmic experience for staff of a hospitalized patient's ward experience.