Aging in Resilient Communities-An Alpine Case Study: The Senior Living Lab Experience

Abstract

The Senior Living Lab led by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Western Switzerland, provides an interesting case study that sheds insight into user centered approaches to innovation in community healthcare platforms addressing aging. The Senior Living Lab was also an example of nursing leadership, focusing on social innovation from a perspective of care. The participative nature of the qualitative research methods in the field, allowed seniors to have a voice in the co-creation process, generating social innovation solutions within an interdisciplinary research framework. Through focus groups, World Cafe meetings, as well as a film event on hopeful, healthy aging, senior participant’s views were valued. One fundamental message emerged from the dialogical space: seniors don’t want to be stigmatized by a growing form of discrimination referred to as ageism. Synergies reinforced Alpine governance and wellness through collaborative continuums with communal authorities and regional stakeholders, applying participative research methods.