Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study
Abstract BackgroundOlder adults prefer to age in their home or community of choice, which could include naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). As a place with a high density of older adults, NORCs could be sites where technology is leveraged to support independenc...
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| Format: | Article |
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JMIR Publications
2025-07-01
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| Series: | JMIR Aging |
| Online Access: | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e71093 |
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| author | Marianne Saragosa Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde Evan MacEachern Michelle LA Nelson Kristina M Kokorelias Sidra Bharmal Brina Ludwig Prout Marian Mohamed |
| author_facet | Marianne Saragosa Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde Evan MacEachern Michelle LA Nelson Kristina M Kokorelias Sidra Bharmal Brina Ludwig Prout Marian Mohamed |
| author_sort | Marianne Saragosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundOlder adults prefer to age in their home or community of choice, which could include naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). As a place with a high density of older adults, NORCs could be sites where technology is leveraged to support independence and aging in the right place. However, there is limited research on how technology adoption and use occur in NORCs in ways that support older adults.
ObjectiveThis study aims to cocreate a research agenda on equity-informed technology considerations that help older adults live independently in NORCs.
MethodsThis is a 2-phase sequential qualitative descriptive study of 5 community-based focus groups and an in-person World Café event. We use the focus group method to acquire data about older adults’ experiences with and perceptions of using technology to support aging-in-place in NORC settings. This data informs the design and facilitation of deliberate dialogues at the World Café event. Three questions helped to guide the small group discussions. The World Café is a creative, collaborative, and conversation-generating method that aims to generate exchanges between people with different views on a particular topic.
ResultsIn total, 45 NORC residents participated in a focus group about their experience and use of technology. The data revealed 3 central categories that highlight the perception of the use of technology to support the independence of participants in their homes and communities, its challenges, and areas to consider when deploying technology for helping older adults age in place. The subsequent World Café event included 40 participants and a combination of NORC residents, service providers, researchers, technology innovators, and policy makers. Insights drawn from the focus groups and World Café informed a 10-question research agenda about equity-informed technology principles that span accessible support, accessible interfaces, affordable and equitable access, available digital literacy training, accessible data, and accessible partnerships.
ConclusionsOur study explores NORCs as potential environments for offering a transformative opportunity to address equity considerations for technology supporting aging in place. Our findings and research agenda highlight critical areas for consideration, including leveraging partnerships, integrating public and private technology ecosystems, and designing technology with older users that evolves with the population’s needs. Notably, by embedding principles of equity, inclusivity, and user-centered design, the collective of developers, researchers, and service providers can ensure that emerging technology serves diverse aging populations equitably and effectively. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b9d14077c8d442c88049f92f7b86df9d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2561-7605 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Aging |
| spelling | doaj-art-b9d14077c8d442c88049f92f7b86df9d2025-08-20T04:00:56ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Aging2561-76052025-07-018e71093e7109310.2196/71093Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative StudyMarianne Saragosahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-9261-5971Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirindehttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0139-0541Evan MacEachernhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8792-3374Michelle LA Nelsonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-2002-0298Kristina M Kokoreliashttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-1277-472XSidra Bharmalhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-7856-0073Brina Ludwig ProutMarian Mohamedhttp://orcid.org/0009-0000-1497-3100 Abstract BackgroundOlder adults prefer to age in their home or community of choice, which could include naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). As a place with a high density of older adults, NORCs could be sites where technology is leveraged to support independence and aging in the right place. However, there is limited research on how technology adoption and use occur in NORCs in ways that support older adults. ObjectiveThis study aims to cocreate a research agenda on equity-informed technology considerations that help older adults live independently in NORCs. MethodsThis is a 2-phase sequential qualitative descriptive study of 5 community-based focus groups and an in-person World Café event. We use the focus group method to acquire data about older adults’ experiences with and perceptions of using technology to support aging-in-place in NORC settings. This data informs the design and facilitation of deliberate dialogues at the World Café event. Three questions helped to guide the small group discussions. The World Café is a creative, collaborative, and conversation-generating method that aims to generate exchanges between people with different views on a particular topic. ResultsIn total, 45 NORC residents participated in a focus group about their experience and use of technology. The data revealed 3 central categories that highlight the perception of the use of technology to support the independence of participants in their homes and communities, its challenges, and areas to consider when deploying technology for helping older adults age in place. The subsequent World Café event included 40 participants and a combination of NORC residents, service providers, researchers, technology innovators, and policy makers. Insights drawn from the focus groups and World Café informed a 10-question research agenda about equity-informed technology principles that span accessible support, accessible interfaces, affordable and equitable access, available digital literacy training, accessible data, and accessible partnerships. ConclusionsOur study explores NORCs as potential environments for offering a transformative opportunity to address equity considerations for technology supporting aging in place. Our findings and research agenda highlight critical areas for consideration, including leveraging partnerships, integrating public and private technology ecosystems, and designing technology with older users that evolves with the population’s needs. Notably, by embedding principles of equity, inclusivity, and user-centered design, the collective of developers, researchers, and service providers can ensure that emerging technology serves diverse aging populations equitably and effectively.https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e71093 |
| spellingShingle | Marianne Saragosa Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde Evan MacEachern Michelle LA Nelson Kristina M Kokorelias Sidra Bharmal Brina Ludwig Prout Marian Mohamed Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study JMIR Aging |
| title | Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Exploring Technology Supporting Aging-in-Place Using an Equity Lens Through Focus Groups and World Café–Informed Research Agenda: Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | exploring technology supporting aging in place using an equity lens through focus groups and world cafe informed research agenda qualitative study |
| url | https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e71093 |
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