Grant: Summer Program in Aging

My journey has been shaped by volunteer experiences and familial influences, towards a career dedicated to serving older adults. With a background in computer science, I have focused on the intersection of information technology (IT) and healthcare, particularly in the context of improving health outcomes for older adults, including those in long-term care (LTC). The lack of literature on IT adoption in the LTC sector, especially in Canada, has become a central concern, driving me to explore ways to assess the level of health IT in LTC homes. There is a gap in understanding and implementing technology in healthcare for older adults, specifically addressing the issue of "digital" ageism. I have a keen interest in investigating how ageism may impact the design, development, and implementation of technologies in healthcare for older adults. The focus is on overcoming the perceived barrier of chronological age in technology adoption and promoting inclusivity in research by engaging older adults and those with lived experience of ageism. I seek to contribute to the discourse on technology in the healthcare delivery of older adults, emphasizing sensitivity to the risks of ageism. I would be grateful to join my peers in the Summer Program in Aging (SPA) as a platform to acquire the necessary training and skills to achieve my goal to become a geriatrician-scientist. I envision utilizing this program to further my research and bring a passion for older adult-centered health IT in healthcare delivery to the forefront. The overarching goal is to contribute meaningfully to the literature and address age-related biases in technology adoption for the aging population.