Empathy in Action:

Co-Designing with Older Adults

A research-driven initiative to empower older adults and provide actionable insights

CHALLENGE

The SCAN Foundation, an independent public charity dedicated to transforming care for older adults, sought to generate actionable insights from 15 co-design sessions held across the U.S. The goal was to deeply understand the needs, desires, and challenges that older adults face in their later years. Based on these findings, the challenge was to create a comprehensive insight report and a co-design facilitator kit. The insight report would highlight key opportunity areas for innovation, while the facilitator kit would serve as a practical guide for anyone interested in running co-design sessions with older adults, enabling them to replicate the process and continue generating valuable insights in the field of aging.

SOLUTION

Fifteen co-design sessions were conducted across the U.S., bringing older adults into the design process to develop solutions that directly addressed their needs. This human-centered approach ensured that insights were grounded in real-life experiences, revealing key opportunities for innovation in the aging space.

The findings were compiled into a comprehensive report outlining future opportunities for care and services, accompanied by a co-design facilitator kit. This practical tool enables organizations to replicate the process, fostering meaningful engagement with older adults in shaping solutions that impact their lives.

By working directly with older adults, the project not only delivered actionable insights but also established a framework for others to engage and empower this community in shaping their own futures.

“Co-designing with older adults created new avenues for empathy and understanding, leading to actionable opportunities that improve lives and preserve dignity.”