Bringing Research to Life
Connecting Older Adults with Innovation in Their Communities
Feb 3, 2025
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are changing the way they study aging and technology. In partnership with the CU Multidisciplinary Center on Aging, they have created a new program called the Living Lab. This program brings research directly to older adults in their own communities instead of requiring them to travel to a university or hospital.
We spoke with Dr. Cari Levy, a professor of geriatric medicine, and Jodi Waterhouse, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Programs at the CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging, to learn more about this exciting project.
A New Way to Do Research
Many researchers expect participants to come to university labs to join in their studies. Often, this approach does not work well for many older adults. Travel can be difficult, and university settings can feel unfamiliar or intimidating. The Living Lab challenges this outdated model by bringing research directly to where older adults live and spend their time.
“The lab itself is the community,” Waterhouse explained. “That could be hallways, dining areas, workout rooms, or even apartments in retirement communities. Our goal is to bring research to where people live, rather than expecting them to come to us.”
The idea for the Living Lab came from a successful program in the Netherlands, where older adults and researchers work together to improve aging. CU Anschutz has started similar projects at senior communities in Colorado and the Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE) is participating on the ground floor.
CIDE's Role in the Living Lab
Our researchers are actively involved in the Living Lab, taking advantage of this opportunity to collaborate with communities and test innovations in real-world settings. From Smart Home Devices to assistive mobility technologies, these research efforts help ensure that technology meets the needs of the people who are most likely to rely on it.
In addition to these research efforts, CIDE plays a key role in this initiative by providing access to it's Human Factors Testing Lab as a valuable resource for other researchers. The lab allows for controlled testing of new assistive and medical technologies as well as smart home devices before they are introduced in real-world environments. This ensures that the technology is accessible, effective, and user-friendly for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
How Technology Fits In
The Living Lab helps researchers test Age Tech, which means new technology designed for older adults. These might be mobility aids, wearable health monitors, or even robots that assist with daily life. But technology only works if it is useful to the people who need it.
Technology made for older adults, designed with their needs in mind and created with their input.
“If someone designs a robot to help older adults but never asks them for feedback, how can we expect it to be helpful?” Levy said. “We want to test these technologies where people actually use them so we can get honest opinions.”
Family members and care partners also play a big role. Many older adults need help using new technology. Including care partners in research ensures that tools work for both older adults and their support systems.
Calling All Researchers!
Older adults are often eager to participate in research, but many researchers struggle to reach them. At the same time, older adults may find it challenging to access information about studies that align with their interests or needs.
“Many of our researchers try to recruit participants by posting flyers or sharing online ads,” Levy said. “...Older adults are ready to participate—they just don’t always know how. We need to meet them where they are.”
CU Anschutz and CIDE are making it easier for researchers to connect with Living Labs and Research Roadshows. Faculty and researchers interested in working with older adults can visit the CU Multidisciplinary Center on Aging website to learn more.
An Age-Friendly Future
In 2021, CU Anschutz became one of only four academic medical campuses to become an Age-Friendly designated University in the world. This means the university is committed to making education, research, and community engagement welcoming for older adults.
As technology for aging grows—for example, it was a major topic at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES)—it is important that older adults help shape the future. The Living Lab makes sure that the people who will use these new technologies have a say in how they are designed.
CIDE is at the forefront of this transformation, ensuring that innovations in assistive technology are truly inclusive and accessible. We invite researchers, community members, and industry leaders to collaborate with us to drive meaningful change.
Author: Elizabeth Coughanour
If you are interested in shaping the future of aging and technology, visit CIDE’s website at ucdenver.edu/cide or contact us directly at CIDE@ucdenver.edu to learn more about partnership opportunities. For more information on how to get involved with the Living Lab, reach out to the Multidisciplinary Center on Aging.