Incorporating the Voices of Older Adults into Rural Healthy Aging Programs

Acceptance of a new program requires buy-in from program participants. Rural programs should consider placing older adults at the center of their program design and implementation. Incorporating the voices and experiences of older adults can help program implementers understand local contexts as well as participant preferences, needs, and challenges. As a result, programs can better meet the needs of participants and achieve program outcomes. To incorporate older adults' perspectives, rural program implementers can consider conducting focus groups or listening sessions with older adults, involving older adults in designing and/or piloting programs, and incorporating their feedback during program implementation to inform program adaptations over time.

Rural program implementers may create a community advisory board (CAB). CABs are made up of community members who are familiar with the community's history, norms, values, culture, and other community context. Similarly, programs can establish program "ambassadors." For example, a program focused on addressing Alzheimer's and dementia might include several focus areas, such as research, care coordination, and community awareness. Older adults can serve as ambassadors to ensure their voices and priorities are represented within each program focus area. Rural older adults can play a collaborative and guiding role in implementing the program in a way that meets the needs of older adults.

Resources to Learn More

Health+™ Human-Centered Design
Website
Provides an overview of Health+™, or "health plus", a human-centered design and research model sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to co-create solutions with, not for, people impacted by the most pressing healthcare challenges.
Organization(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services