Caring for and Learning from Older Adults

Caring for older adult parents, grandparents, family members, and friends is a virtue that can be an enriching experience for all. However, it requires a serious commitment if the older adult needs help to maintain independent living, which often leads to the older adult moving to a facility that will provide support for the activities of daily life. But caregivers and others can gain and learn from older adults, who are often eager to teach, mentor, advise, and coach others. Older adults have many needs that could be served by appropriate technologies that supported their self-efficacy and independence. Examples include wheelchair design, dining table with a dishwasher built in, and yoga instruction.