iAging: Optimizing Health, Design and Well Being for Older Adults Using Technology

The Sheridan Centre for Elder Research has been conducting applied research that explores ways to support older adults through technology for over a decade. This talk provided a retrospective look at that body of work, highlighting the lessons learned about implementing technology-based solutions with community groups, industry partners and older adults of varying physical and cognitive abilities. There was also be a discussion of the ways the Centre plans to build on its past success and leverage upcoming technological advances to continue to improve the quality of life of older adults

Cosmetics Laboratory Report - Report Series # 7

There exists extensive research examining the connection between physical appearance and self-esteem. Many studies involving older adults up to the age of 75 find congruent results with the aforementioned studies. Much of gerontological research concerns the quality of life of older adults. Considering the connection between physical appearance and self-esteem, it might be interesting to consider whether or not enhancements to physical appearance would result in an increase in self-esteem. Likewise, one can consider whether or not an increase in self-esteem on the basis of physical appearance contributes to a change in the quality of life for the older individual. This study serves as a preliminary pilot research study. The focus is to determine whether or not such a connection exists and consequently if a research study on cosmetic therapy is warranted

As Seen Through Their Eyes: The Learning Needs of Ontario Elders

This study investigated the learning needs, interests and learning styles of Ontarians 65+ as seen through their eyes. This work was guided by evidence that learning in later life has significant benefits for seniors on their quality of life, which in turn improves health outcomes. Improved health outcomes can lessen the demand that will be placed on an already over-taxed health care system. Given the aging of the Canadian population, understanding their learning needs and preferences is essential to effectively create and maintain programs that support learning in later life. A ‘snapshot’ of learning opportunities available to older adults was developed and analyzed to determine the extent of congruence between learning preferences as expressed by older adults and what, in fact, exists

Reciprocal Learning: An Intergenerational Computer Training Model for Young Adults Working with Elders Follow-Up Evaluation: Summer 2006 - Report Series # 15

The goal of this evaluation, conducted in the summer of 2006, was to capture the experiences of young adults who participated as ‘senior tech tutors’ for elders in the computer training program. The training was piloted in the Internet Café at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) in the fall of 2005. Twelve young adults participated in the training to become ‘senior tech tutors. An additional three participated in tutoring without having attended the training but were provided with instructional hand-outs. These three tech tutors had prior education and experience in the field of gerontology. Feedback interviews were conducted over the telephone. These interviews took place over an eight-week period. The relationships that tech tutors formed with their ‘student’ elders had an impact on tech tutors’ goals, their views about aging and their career aspirations

Facilitated Life Story Writing by Individuals with Dementia for Conversational Remembering Boxes: Follow-up Summer 2005 - Report Series # 10

The goal of this follow-up study, conducted in the summer of 2005, was to enhance the experience of personhood in individuals with dementia through computer-mediated life story writing, by addressing the key problem areas identified in the pilot study (Summer 2004). Four of the original eight male participants were paired with a student researcher over the course of 6 weeks. The interviews were taped and electronically recorded. The life stories were transcribed and presented to the participants to be added to the personal memory boxes that were sent home during the first study. Follow-up with caregivers at the 3-month mark indicated a good level of interest but reduced activity with respect to the memory boxes. Unlike the previous study, computer use had an effect, albeit a small one, on the topics of stories elicited from two participants

Assessing Attitudes Toward Technology Among Older Adults and Usability of Software for Elders - Report Series # 20

Computer software is frequently not created with the common limitations of the older user in mind. Poor design and usability of computers is a significant barrier for many older adults who wish to use computers. PointerWare Innovations’ software breaks down barriers that Windows software frequently presents to older users. This research study explores issues relevant to PointerWare Innovations, as well as any software developer seeking to accommodate the needs older adults

Crystal Memories: Capturing Our Voices - Report Series # 13

These two pilot studies, conducted between January and April 2006, were comprised of two independent research projects. The goal of the first project (Project A) was to assess the usability of the Crystal Memories software developed at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) and to make recommendations for version two of the software. Three women and two men were recruited from an earlier computer study conducted at SERC in the fall of 2005; one man was recruited from the broader community of Oakville, Ontario. None of these participants had any known cognitive impairments. The 6 participants met as a group for two hours, once a week for 10 weeks. This group was facilitated by two student research assistants. The second research project (Project B) involved two participants with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), and their primary care partners. Project B focused on the potential for shared personal narratives to enhance communication between persons with ADRD and their care partners

Online Elder Circles: A Guide to their Creation and Benefits

This participatory research project explored the experience of creating and delivering an elder circle program in an online format as well as investigating the benefits to the participants. Elder circles are facilitated, elder-centred small closed groups of older adults who explore collaboratively the experience of growing old and living in old age. The researcher, with the help of her participant co-researchers, successfully translated a face-to-face elder circle model to an online format. The six participants, aged 70 to 87, met online without previously knowing each other and for six weeks engaged in facilitated asynchronous discussion on a secure dedicated website. The online format was shown to be an effective alternative to face-to-face delivery of an elder circle, with significant – even transformative – benefits to the participants. The report presents an overview of the process of creating and delivering an online elder circle, participants’ reflections on their learning and the benefits received, key considerations for the effective implementation of the online program, and recommendations for future research

Online Elder Circles: A Follow-up Study

This participatory qualitative research project is a follow-up study to an earlier (2013) Centre for Elder Research (hereafter referred to as the Centre) research project – Online Elder Circles: A Guide to their Creation and Benefits – that explored the experience of creating and delivering an elder circle program in an online format as well as the benefits to the participants. Elder circles are learning circles, facilitated small closed groups of older adults who explore collaboratively the experience of growing older and living in old age. In the earlier study, the researcher and the project’s participants successfully translated the face-to-face elder circle model to an online one with significant self reported benefit to all participants. The present project provided a further opportunity to learn about the online elder circle model. Seven participants, aged 83 to 65, recruited through the Centre’s online database, met online for facilitated asynchronous discussion on a password-protected website for a period of six weeks. This time, technological issues contributed to a much less satisfactory experience for the participants. The report describes what was done and what was learned, with participants’ reflections on their experience as well as their insight into what worked and what did not. Conclusions and recommendations are included

From the Lab to Student and Graduate Success: The Benefits of Developing Research Skills

The Centre for Elder Research conducts innovative, multidisciplinary research that enhances the quality of life of older adults while serving as an education and resource hub for the Sheridan College community. The unique perspectives of student Research Assistants, graduates, faculty and researchers will inform this panel presentation about the value of providing opportunities for students to develop research skills while addressing real-world challenges, and strategies for embedding research results into curriculum