How to establish practical contributions and convey practical implications? Guidelines on locating practice gaps and making recommendations for practice

Abstract

There is a critical need to bridge the gap between research and its practical implications, particularly in the sphere of aging and quality of life improvement for older adults. This article delves into how purposeful research can cater to a diverse range of stakeholders–including older adults, caregivers, activity professionals, city councils, community developers, healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, local communities, and societies at large. Noteworthily, the article furnishes guidelines that encompass a typology aimed at equipping researchers with the tools necessary for pinpointing practice gaps effectively. The article also outlines the ways for crafting meaningful, practical recommendations contingent on the intended beneficiaries and the types of research. The article concludes with a spotlight of the latest studies published in the newest issue of Activities, Adaptation & Aging: Dignified and Purposeful Living for Older Adults. The authors hope that this article will contribute to fostering research that meaningfully translates into actions, improving the quality of life and enabling a dignified and purposeful living for older adults.