Research collaboration with older persons

Democratic perspective and deeper understanding

How do you define research collaboration with older persons?

“We define research collaboration with older persons as a complex concept that encompasses various approaches and methods. In our study, we define it from a democratic perspective, where older persons actively participate in the research process.”

“Research collaboration is based on the idea that all people, regardless of age and ability, have the right to have their voices heard in research. We view older persons as more than just sources of data.”

“We recognize and value the scientific knowledge that researchers possess, but we also acknowledge the experiential knowledge that older persons have related to aging and health.”

What can be achieved through the inclusion of older persons in the process?

“By including older persons in the research process, we can achieve a deeper understanding of their experiences and needs. This can lead to new perspectives and knowledge that contribute to improving their quality of life and well-being. Thus, research collaboration with older persons becomes an essential part of our research.”

What does such collaboration or active participation look like?

“It can vary depending on the project and target group. It may involve older persons participating in several aspects, from planning to implementation and dissemination of results. This could include contributing ideas, participating in data collection, interpreting results, and helping disseminate research findings.”

About the study

You conducted focus groups; can you tell me about that?

“Yes, the focus group method is a qualitative research approach that encourages interaction and discussion among research participants. It provided us with a collective understanding of researchers’ experiences in research collaboration.”

Which researchers participated?

“Fourteen researchers from Southern Sweden participated, representing various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, medicine, and health sciences. We selected these fourteen researchers based on specific criteria to ensure both breadth and diverse discussions and to ensure that participants had common ground for meaningful dialogue.”

Challenges and the way forward

What challenges exist when it comes to involving older persons in research?

“We believe that academia faces several challenges in involving older persons in research. These challenges include age discrimination, resource limitations, health issues, and the fact that academic culture can sometimes be exclusive and difficult for non-academics to navigate.”

“Older persons may also struggle to understand and communicate complex scientific concepts, which can hinder their full participation in the research process.”

What can researchers do to address these challenges?

“It is essential for researchers to take responsibility for including older persons in their work. This may involve seeking funding to support their participation, adapting communication methods to be more accessible, and working to change academic culture to be more welcoming and inclusive.”

“Researchers should also act as ‘navigators’, helping older persons navigate the academic world and avoiding imposing their worldview. By doing so, researchers can contribute to reducing epistemic injustice and making research more equitable and inclusive.”

Anything specific to consider when collaborating with older persons in the research process?

“To effectively collaborate with older persons in the research process, it is crucial to develop a shared understanding of the world through open dialogue. We must work across disciplinary boundaries and establish consensus on important issues.”

How does this work?

“Building trust and communicating effectively with older persons are essential skills. Academic institutions should provide resources and infrastructure, such as programs for building long-term trust relationships, to support researchers in developing these competencies.”

“Funders also play a vital role. If funding organizations provide necessary resources, they can ensure that researchers conduct high-quality research involving older persons in a meaningful way.”