April 2024 Community of Interest Highlights
The Aging in Community Education & Research (ACER) Community of Interest provides a platform for sharing emerging trends, exchanging ideas/knowledge, and exploring research prospects within a relaxed informal setting. This platform allows organizations, and individuals including faculty, researchers, and students to connect and collaborate.
During our recent CI gathering on Thursday, 18th April 2024, participants shared/discussed the following:
David Neumann, professor in the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, updated us about the recent Hackathon and shared examples of the student presentation.
Examples included voice assistants to facilitate communication and interaction, wearables for activity monitoring, MindEcho for triggering memories in individuals living with dementia, and AidMind for companionship and reminders.
David also shared insights about the use and benefits of AI and virtual reality for individuals living with dementia, emphasizing the need for further exploration of VR for immersive experiences.
Emphasized the importance of exploring technology for community, advocacy, and caregiver support.
Discussed the significance of learning onboarding, off-boarding, privacy issues, and data ownership and security.
Explored long-term care challenges faced by both individuals and care providers.
Discussed the importance of training staff to empathize with the experiences of individuals living with dementia.
Addressed the issue of social isolation.
Advocated for creating age-friendly communities for students aged 50+ in educational institutions.
Please note:
The next Community of Interest (CI) gathering is set for noon from 12 to 1 pm on Thursday, May 16th, 2024. We extend an invitation to anyone eager to participate in this important dialogue. Whether you're a researcher, practitioner, student, or dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults in our communities, your perspectives and experiences are greatly valued. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of older adults and the communities that embrace them.