From Consultation to Collaboration: A Ladder of Participation for Older Adults in Research

TL;DR

This paper explores how older adults can actively participate in research to shape services and environments that better meet their needs.

Contribution

The paper introduces a ladder of participatory opportunities for older adults to transition from consultation to collaboration in research.

Findings

Older adults can move from project-based participation to becoming part of academic research teams.

A community-inclusive multi-method strategy optimizes resource allocation and identifies effective policymaking pathways.

Collaboration between researchers and older adults provides critical context and distributes power to older people.

Abstract

Assumptions about what older adults want and need can drive research and planning such that systemic ageism is propagated within systems. Representation of older adults in investigations and initiatives is needed so that policies, programs and interventions developed out of research are in alignment with the needs and preferences of older people. The aim of this article is to describe the creation of a ladder of participatory opportunities for older people to contribute to a needs assessment process. This process allows for co-researchers to objectively shape of environments and services for their peers. Data comes from 5 community needs assessment projects and the accumulation of 4 older adult research associates. Data were collected via surveys, key informant interviews, and focus groups. We describe how participatory principles were enacted, the involvement of older adults in research design, data collection, and dissemination. As well, we describe the process by which older people can move from a project-based participation to becoming a member of an academic research team. Finally, we discuss the ways in which a community inclusive multi-method strategy can optimize resource allocation, identify pathways to more effective policymaking that is matched to the needs and interests of its oldest residents, and lead to unanticipated benefits. Consistent and equivalent collaboration between researchers and older people can provide critical context and perspectives of the those challenged by their aging circumstances and distribute power to older people for the purposes of being active builders of their environments.