– We met with several researchers affiliated with the MoRe-Lab to discuss the shared research interests and potential pathways for future collaborations. We also had an opportunity to take a guided tour of the MoRe-Lab and learn about how the facilities are being used to understand practical solutions to enhance older adults’ everyday functioning, says Dr. Ross.
What surprised you the most here in Lund?
– We were most impressed with the synergy of the researchers work with translation into existing community policies and efforts to enhance older adults’ environmental spaces to be conducive to their concurrent and future functional capabilities.
– We were also impressed with the MoRe-Lab’s inclusion of cutting-edge digital health equipment and ecologically valid housing lab, says Dr. Gambaldo.
Will you collaborate with Lund in the future?
– We are excited to collaborate with researchers in Lund. We have discussed potential opportunities to partner in providing summer exchange experiences across the institutions for under/graduate scholars interested in receiving applied gerontological training. We have also discussed potential research partnerships regarding cross-cultural exploration of social determinants of health, cognition, transportation, sleep, and home usability experiences, says Dr. Ross.
What can Sweden learn from US research within the field of ageing?
– Given the US diversity in social and lived experiences based upon various characteristics; age, race, gender, ethnicity, geographic residency, religion – US research must account for the heterogeneity of lived experiences which can impact the effectiveness of any proposed aging solutions. Thus, the encouragement of research that focuses on the social determinants of health across diverse populations can offer insights into the several pathways for solutions, that can be modified to fit the best of interest of an individual so that they can sustain their independence and functioning as they age, says Dr. Ross.
Drs. Ross and Gamaldo appreciate Sweden’s interest in creating policies and encouraging research for implementing built and social environments that facilitate ageing-in-place for all individuals.
– Thus, we see an opportunity to incorporate some of the US research to effectively transfer this strength of Sweden’s values so ageing-in-place can be achievable universally.
Read more about the work at Clemson University and Shaarp.