Partnering for gerontechnology research and development: Risks and rewards

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the risks and rewards related to gerontechnology, multiple universities and departments are collaborating to develop new products They offer several strategies to assist in team building and trust building in order to foster timely development of new technologies that can help aging adults. Method: A recent case study with analysis of prior projects exemplify discussion points 1-8. Results & Discussion: Gerontechnology activity monitoring research experiences with family caregivers of frail and/or cognitively impaired community dwelling older adults yield key common points and recommendations. Essential elements include the fostering of open and ongoing communications, clarity of expectations, understanding of each other's roles, and learning about older adults' abilities and limitations. Possible confounds to this study included multiple research sites, Intellectual Product considerations, and grant funding timetables. Proactively incorporating remedial strategies aids in developing team resilience and achieve our goals in a timely manner.