Digital technologies offer immense potential to enhance the lives of older persons—from improving healthcare management through telemedicine, reducing social isolation with AI companion robots, to fostering connections via intergenerational platforms. However, the adoption, and ultimate impact, of these innovations remains limited due to several barriers.

 

Physical and cognitive challenges, such as reduced memory, fine motor skills, and sensory impairments, can make interacting with modern devices difficult. Gaps in digital literacy, fears of privacy breaches, and skepticism about the reliability of technology can lead to frustration, low adoption rates, and missed opportunities to realize the full benefits of these technologies. To overcome these barriers, it is crucial to involve older persons early, and throughout, the technology design process, ensuring that the technology is not only functional but engaging, intuitive, and tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

 

Featuring case scenarios from the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), this interactive workshop will demonstrate how digital technologies can meaningfully enhance the well-being and independence of older persons. It will discuss ‘why’ it is important to engage older persons in the co-creation of technology and how applying their insights and lived experience leads to more impactful, inclusive, and accessible innovations. Participants will also learn about ‘how’ to involve older persons in technology development and validation by hearing practical examples from CABHI’s Leap platform. LEAP is a social engagement platform that connects diverse groups of older persons and their care partners with researchers, innovators, clinicians, and industry leaders to co-create digital technologies that truly meet their needs. By involving older persons directly in the design process, LEAP ensures that these technologies are user-friendly, accessible, and more likely to be adopted, driving meaningful solutions that enhance the quality of life for older persons.

 

Workshop Objectives:

1. Learn the importance of meaningfully involving older persons in innovation co-design to enhance the design, usability, and adoption of technology solutions that enhance independence and quality of life.

2. Learn best practices for how to actively involve older persons in all stages of technology development, from design workshops to usability testing to supporting the uptake of the most promising solutions and hear a real-world example of a co-designed innovation’s impact on older adults after it was implemented.

3. Discuss practical examples of digital technologies that optimize user-centred design and support those with sensory impairments, cognitive challenges, and digital literacy gaps, by offering features such as simplified interfaces, voice-activation, and personalized support to enhance accessibility.

 

The workshop will begin with a brief presentation to highlight the learning objectives above, participants will then engage in breakout discussions to explore strategies for integrating older persons into the design process, addressing challenges, and promoting solutions that are age-friendly and inclusive. The workshop will conclude with an interactive dialogue, where attendees can share best practices, insights, and actionable steps to create more accessible and impactful technologies. Throughout the workshop, delegates will gain practical knowledge on overcoming ageism in technology design, improving digital literacy for older persons, and co-creating innovations that enhance autonomy and quality of life.

Shusmita Rashid is an experienced healthcare leader and communicator, skilled at fostering partnerships, guiding organizations through strategic planning and execution, securing funding, and training teams in research and innovation implementation to achieve health and social impact. As Director of Knowledge Mobilization and Strategic Relations at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) and the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, Ms. Rashid supports the development and scale of innovative solutions while ensuring they are co-designed to meet diverse needs. Ms. Rashid consults on several large-scale health service research and innovation projects and delivered WHO-supported global training workshops in Ethiopia and Uganda. She also serves as an Implementation Science Expert for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ensuring projects are well-designed, evidence-based, and effectively communicated. She is dedicated to influencing policy change as Board Director, International Federation on Ageing. With a background in public health and a deep passion for influencing systemic change, Ms. Rashid is frequently invited to conferences to share insights on how to implement research and innovation to drive meaningful impact for individuals and communities worldwide.

 

 

Dr. Allison Sekuler (FSEP, FPsyS, FAPS) is President and Chief Scientist at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI). A graduate of Pomona College (BA, Mathematics and Psychology) and the University of California, Berkeley (PhD, Psychology), Dr. Sekuler is also President and Chief Scientist and the Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, and Professor at the University of Toronto and McMaster University.

Dr. Sekuler has a notable record of scientific achievements in aging, vision science, cognitive neuroscience, and neurotechnology; and her translational research aims to develop methods to prevent, detect, and treat age-related sensory and cognitive decline. She has won numerous research and innovation leadership awards, including being the first Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience (2001-2011) and one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada (2019). Dr. Sekuler has a long record of executive leadership, and currently chairs the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council’s Public Impact Value Proposition committee; serves on the Board of Governors for Hamilton Health Sciences and BrainsCAN and on VISTA’s External Advisory Board; is a founding Steering Committee member of the Canadian Brain Research Strategy and a Scientific Mentor for the CDL’s Neuro stream. In her spare time, she is proving that you’re never too old to learn: Dr. Sekuler picked up her first drumsticks a few years ago, and recently earned her Professional Drums Certificate from the Berklee College of Music.

 

 

James Mayer leads investments and venture services at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation. Under his leadership, this division has become the most active Agetech investor (by deal volume) in North America. Mr. Mayer is also a mentor at 500 Startups, Techstars, and One-mind and a Venture Partner at Clearco, the world’s largest eCommerce investor that has invested $3+ billion into 7,000+ companies to date.