︎ The TOOL
A toolkit that has the potency to change attitudes toward aging, knowledge, and empathy level of designers and other professionals.
By Thea Thorrell ︎
Concept Sample of Spread / 2020
Preceding research shows that people hold negative attitudes toward the elderly; for instance, much of the public still perceive the elderly as weak, sickly, slow, immobile, and senile (Chasteen, 2000). Insufficient knowledge of aging may be the primary reason that design focusing on aging and mental health was not the primary choice of research for students in a HealthBYDesign class at the beginning of the semester.
The specific aim of this project is to generate an instrument (i.e., informational booklet) that can potentially influence the empathy level, attitudes, and knowledge of designers as well as other professionals who work with elderly populations. This is indeed a challenge since educators throughout the U.S. are generally struggling with the lack of student engagement with the elderly (Angeles, 2000) and are looking for ways to influence their decisions to choose a career that integrates any work with aging populations.
Various ways to engage in on-going exposure and meaningful intergenerational exchanges (i.e., internet-based activities to communicate with elderly people, service-learning programs, volunteer opportunities, etc.) are introduced in addition to essential information regarding the study of gerontology: social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging. Crucial knowledge, positive attitudes, high levels of empathy and prior experience with elderly people can lead to the development of better designs and approaches.
Intergenerational reciprocity is a concept that utilizes the theory that exchanges between older and younger generations help to dispel aging myths and stereotypes, promote mutually beneficial experiences and foster positive attitudes toward the elderly (Butler, 2000). With a few exceptions, the literature focuses on student learning, companionship, and meeting elder needs rather than attitude and empathy changes in addition to positive interactions with the elderly.
Design to Outcomes
The current project will expose designers to valuable information that can improve their knowledge, empathy, and attitudes towards aging. Taking into account the aging of the baby boomers, a project of this sort can have a profound impact on health-centered design and possibly health care delivery to the older population. Information and positive interactions with the elderly can increase empathy levels and positive attitudes toward aging and help to break down the stereotypes and misconceptions of ageism.
︎
Works Cited
Chasteen, A. (2000). The role of age and age‐related attitudes in perceptions of elderly individuals. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 22, 147‐156.
Breytspraak, L. & Badura, L. (2015). Facts on Aging Quiz (revised; based on Palmore (1977; 1981)). Retrieved from http://info.umkc.edu/aging/quiz/.
Ruben, D. (1998). Development and validation of geriatric attitude scale for primary care physicians. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 46, 1425–1430.