In-person Interactions Research Articles

Barriers and challenges to telemedicine usage among the elderly population in Israel in light of the COVID-19 era: A qualitative study.

Although there may still be many challenges to its adoption, telemedicine is becoming more and more popular for helping elderly people preserve their independence and continue to live in their own homes. We intended to investigate the challenges and barriers (if any) experienced by the elderly population when using telemedicine services in Israel. Fourteen elderly people were recruited for the study and interviewed in person using a semistructured interview protocol, using a qualitative technique. Participants' replies were evaluated and analyzed thematically. The participants were questioned regarding their usage of telehealth services, the benefits they perceive in them, any potential difficulties or hurdles to use, and suggestions they had for making these services more readily available and simpler to use for the elderly. Most participants recognized the advantages of telehealth services, particularly for the elderly population during pandemics and normal times. However, most of them also expressed various challenges that face the elderly population in using these services. Many participants were concerned that the quality of telemedicine sessions may not be good enough compared to in-person sessions, and expressed a lack of confidence in telemedicine services, and frustration from the absence of in-person interaction and communication. Many participants highlighted the technological challenges in the use of computers and applications in general and in the context of healthcare, in particular, in addition to physiological and literacy difficulties. Finally, the participants suggested several ways to increase the accessibility and usage of telemedicine solutions by elderly people. A proactive approach to identifying and resolving telehealth barriers can maximize virtual interactions for the older population and alleviate care inequities. In addition to identifying barriers that impede older patients from using telemedicine, there is a need to increase awareness of the availability, benefits, and uses of each telehealth service in comparison to in-person consultations.

Pandemic perspectives: How students navigate social relationships

The development of social bonds helps to keep the social fabric of society intact. However, The Covid-19 outbreak has caused mayhem on social relationships and has changed the manner individuals interact with one another. Face-to-face communications were typically limited to primary members amid the apex of Covid-19 restrictions because some 'weak' ties were lost, and connections grew more confined to those closest. The case study approach was used in this qualitative work to understand students' perceptions of many facets of social relationships (family, relatives, teachers, classmates, coworkers, friends, and strangers) and how the Covid-19 Pandemic affects their interpersonal relationships. Six Post graduate students at Kashmir University participated in the study and were purposively selected and interviewed. The data for this study was collected by semi-structured interviews. The face-to-face interview with PG students at Kashmir University lasted up for forty-five minutes per student focused on the individuals’ stories and interpretations of their viewpoints about social relationships and experience of change in social relationships brought about by the Covid-19 outbreak. The results of this research lead to the conclusion that the existence of social ties has a great beneficial influence on psychological and physiological health, adding to an individual's overall well-being, but the lack of social relationships increases the likelihood of psychological discomfort. Social relationships provide freedom of self-disclosure to expose one's personal difficulties and feelings. The loss of in-person interactions as a result of the Covid 19 outbreak, as well as the total shift to virtual connections, had been a major difficulty. Increased virtual relations has created societal chaos and diminished value system. A significant drift in norms of interaction has been found.

Relationship between Gen Z’s Personality and Motivations with TikTok Usage During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped how people communicate due to restrictions on direct interaction, impacting both mental and physical well-being. Social media, particularly TikTok, gained widespread attention during the pandemic, notably among Gen Z, offering online expression and entertainment to compensate for limited in-person interaction. However, the interplay between Gen Z's personality traits, motivations, and TikTok usage remains relatively unexplored. In order to fill the gap, this research investigates how Gen Z's personality traits influence TikTok media usage, considering the mediating role of motivations during the pandemic. Employing the Uses and Gratifications framework and the Big Five Personality factors, the research collected data from 400 Gen Z participants in the Jabodetabek and then analyzed by Path Analysis. The findings show that personality traits do influence TikTok usage, mediated by motivations for information seeking and sharing, social interaction, escapism and relaxation, as well as norm and trend following. In this research, the classification of the Big Five Personalities was different because the research only found four types of personality in Gen Z: extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness. Gen Z's motivation for using TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic differs for each personality.

Applying an Analytical Hierarchy Process for Decision Making Business Strategy in CV. Optik President

Vision is one of the vital organs of the human body which has a very fundamental role for life. With good eyesight, this can help people improve their quality of life. The eyeglass market is anticipated to develop over the next several years as a result of a variety of factors, including expanding populations, a demographic shift toward older age groups, and changing lifestyles characterized by a higher reliance on digital gadgets. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is also one of the factors that increases eye disease because most people use gadgets in their lives, causing symptoms of digital eye strain. In this way, this is a supporting factor in the development of the optical market. The market is expanding the fastest in the Asia Pacific region, with a growth rate of 13.5%. Offline optical retail stores provide significant promise and value. These physical businesses provide customers with an immersive and tangible shopping experience that is unmatched by internet shopping. To guarantee that customers receive accurate prescriptions and distinctive eyewear options, optometrists and store staff offer customized services like frame fittings, professional eye exams, and expert lens consultations. In actual storefronts, customers may physically try on frames to assess fit, comfort, and style. Trained staff members are available to provide timely assistance. Furthermore, a wide range of eyewear options, including designer brands and niche goods, are usually available in these stores, giving customers the opportunity to peruse and select from a diverse inventory. Furthermore, optical retail stores foster confidence and trust, particularly among those who appreciate in-person interactions or have certain vision needs that necessitate expert guidance. By looking at this market development, the company wants to expand, targeting West Karawang, East Karawang and Cikarang as targets for opening their branches. using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method will be able to improve the quality of decision making that will be produced by the company starting from developing criteria and sub-criteria which can ultimately determine the best alternative. The results of this research provide recommendations for new criteria and sub-criteria for the company and also determine which location of the three alternatives the company will provide.

Post-Pandemic Public Space: How COVID-19 May Permanently Alter the Public Realm

This research looks at the impact that pandemics can have on public space. The goal of the research was to learn from the past to anticipate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the public realm. The research involved exploring the history of the effects of two major global pandemics – the 19th C. Cholera and the 20th C Influenza pandemics – as well as documenting the effects of COVID-19 as they occurred. The main finding of the research is that pandemics have long-lasting impacts on public space, although each has a somewhat different effect, depending upon whether it is bacterial or viral-based and how different countries and cultures respond. The research also shows that COVID-19 has been unique in rebalancing what we do in-person or remotely, physically or digitally, which will likely have profound effects on the use of public as well as private space. This, in turn, will demand a re-evaluation of public policies, many of which are based on pre-pandemic assumptions about in-person interactions as the primary way in which people work, shop, learn, and live.

The National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 and the Hybrid Learning Paradigm: Revising Strategies for An Evolving Legal Education Environment

A strong and resilient education system is vital for the progress and growth of any nation, as it equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address current and forthcoming issues, while also keeping pace with rapid technological breakthroughs. The National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP 2020) plays a significant role in creating a comprehensive framework for the transformation of the education sector. The hybrid approach of teaching and learning has the ability to integrate multiple viewpoints within legal education by combining in-person and online interactions, under the guidance of policy. Nevertheless, it is important to conduct a thorough examination of the pedagogical tactics and technology tools that augment the learning experience in legal education, in order to assess the efficacy of this approach in professional courses like law. Given the aforementioned environment, the primary objective of this study is to comprehensively examine the consequences of incorporating a hybrid method of learning in the field of legal education in India, specifically focusing on its policy implications and relevant issues. This study endeavours to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the paradigm, as well as the ongoing problems and limitations associated with it, in the context of legal education. Moreover, the primary objective of this article is to conduct a rigorous analysis of apparent gaps and inconsistencies that may necessitate additional explanation or refinement in order to effectively accomplish the targeted transformative goals. The paper seeks to provide a valuable contribution to the continuing discourse on educational reform and promote the successful implementation of the hybrid model in accordance with NEP 2020 for the purpose of delivering legal education in India, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic global landscape.

IN-PERSON AND TECHNOLOGY-BASED SOCIAL INTERACTION IN OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 2022

Abstract Social support is an important factor in the health and well-being of older adults. Early COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted in-person social interactions but presumably increased technology-based social connection. This work examines social interactions during Spring of 2022 in older Arkansans with widely available vaccines and waning lockdowns to investigate current in-person and online social interactions. During Spring 2022, 603 older Arkansans (65+) (86.5% White, non-Hispanic, 65.9% women) completed the 20 question self-report automated survey (text or phone). Results indicated 27.6% continued to curtail in-person interactions significantly; however, 63% engaged in in-person social interactions outside their home more than once a week. Video chatting pre-pandemic was prevalent (40% video chatting multiple times a week); still, 20.6% never did. 22.8% reported increased video chatting during the pandemic, but surprisingly, 37.3% reported a decline. 70% felt socially connected during online interactions. Only 78% reported being satisfied with their social connection compared to 93% pre-pandemic. These findings suggest that while many have re-established in-person social interactions, around one-quarter of participants continue to curtail in-person interaction and report social connection dissatisfaction. Social technology alternatives were increased by about one quarter of participants and were reported to lead to feelings of social connection when used, and yet a decline in this usage was reported across 40% of these participants during the pandemic. These data support access to technology-based social interactions through expansion and improvement of older adult friendly virtual platforms and internet access which could help improve quality and quantity of social connection and reduce social isolation.

ADAPTING COGNITIVE REMEDIATION GROUP THERAPY AS A HYBRID INTERVENTION FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV AND COGNITIVE CONCERNS

Abstract Cognitive impairment is a significant health issue for people aging with HIV/AIDS. With pharmacological treatment lacking, psychosocial group therapies may best help people aging with HIV and cognitive challenges cope with symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how in-person group therapies need adaptation for hybrid or online delivery. Peer-led focus groups discussed adapting cognitive remediation group therapy (CRGT) as a hybrid or online intervention. CRGT combines mindfulness-based stress reduction and brain training activities. Purposive sampling recruited people aging with HIV (40+) who self-identified cognitive concerns and resided in two Canadian provinces. Content analysis was employed on transcripts by 7 independent coders. Ten, two-hour focus groups were conducted between August and November 2022. Participant (n=45) demographics included age (M=53.22, SD=7.62) gender (45% women, 42% men, 13% trans/non-binary), sexuality (42% gay, 40% heterosexual, 18% other), ethnicity (45% white, 33% black, 13% Indigenous, 9% mixed-race), and employment (33% employed, 67% retired/disability), and all were retained in care. Overall, participants responded favourably to CRGT’s modalities and preferred a hybrid model blending in-person and online interactions. Preferred intervention facilitators were peers and mental health professionals. Knowledge of HIV’s impacts on cognitive health, including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, was very low despite high reports of cognitive concerns (e.g., trouble remembering, impaired attention, difficulty problem-solving). Given the aging of the HIV population in Canada and the United States, increasing support will be required to improve quality of life. This presentation will discuss a hybrid CRGT adaptation, alongside considerations for how COVID-19 has impacted intervention research.

SOCIALLY ACTIVE OR ISOLATED? OLDER COMMUNITY-DWELLING ITALIANS’ EXPERIENCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract Media coverage of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized their experiences of social isolation – a risk that pre-dated the pandemic but was magnified by it. A focus on older adults’ pandemic-induced isolation also is evident in gerontological research. This depiction, however, may not capture the complexity of older adults’ experiences during the pandemic. Our study examined this topic using semi-structured interviews that were conducted with participants in a senior center in a mid-sized northern Italian city in May 2022 (n=23). Our analysis revealed that the pandemic had some negative effects on older adults’ social relationships; however, it also identified strategies that older adults used to maintain and even enhance their connections with others. Participants described reduced in-person interaction with family and friends, stemming from less daily interaction and the cancellation of family gatherings. They compensated for these losses, to some degree, with regular phone and video calls. Participants also described permanently strained relationships with family members and friends, often the result of differing views of COVID-19 vaccines. The pandemic’s challenges, however, enhanced other social relationships through exchanges of moral and practical support. In contrast with the frequent depiction of older adults’ isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, our data reveal strategies that allowed them to remain socially engaged and active in their communities.

In-Person Social Interactions and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring the Role of Household Size and Virtual Social Contact Among Midlife and Older Black South African Adults.

The current study investigates how physical distancing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with increased anxiety among a cohort of midlife older Black South African adults and the extent to which household size and virtual social contact modify this association for men and women. We analyze data from a phone survey conducted from July 2021 to March 2022 as part of Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (n = 2,080). We employ logistic regression to estimate the association between changes in in-person social interactions and anxiety symptoms and examine whether the association is modified by household size and changes in virtual social contact. We perform analyses separately for women and men. Declines in in-person social interactions were associated with increased anxiety for women and men (odds ratios [OR] = 2.52, p < .001). For women only, declines were greater for those living in larger households (OR = 1.11, p = .032). Declines were buffered by increased virtual social contact for both women (OR = 0.55, p = .025) and men (OR = 0.45, p = .019). Although the anxiety symptoms of women and men were similarly affected by declines in in-person social interaction, the modifying influence of household size is unique to women, likely due to gender-specific social roles. For women, living in larger households may mean greater caregiving burden, exacerbating the detrimental association between physical distancing and anxiety. On the other hand, both women and men may have used virtual means to connect with friends and family living outside their homes, buffering against increased anxiety.

Using AI-Enabled Divergence and Convergence Patterns as a Quantitative Artifact in Design Education

Abstract Design education has traditionally relied heavily on physical integration as it involves a lot of hands-on work, group critiques, and collaborative projects, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many institutions to adapt to remote teaching and learning environments. This has created challenges for design educators who have had to find ways to evaluate students' progress in the absence of in-person interactions. In this paper, we are proposing a dashboard visualisation approach that helps educators to monitor the progression of the entire class of students using Artificial Intelligence (AI) by tracking a time-based evolution of a design statement. This approach uses various Natural Language Processing (NLP) models to produce stock-like charts which represent students' and student groups' progression through a series of divergence and convergence phases. These charts become a form of Design Artifact that allows educator(s) to gain a birds-eye view of the class and react to groups that may require assistance; at the same time it becomes a qualitative means of evaluation and comparison across students and groups. Towards the end, this paper also showcases a web-based platform that is publicly available using such methodology, a case study that applied so methodology and recommendation of future works possible.

Trapped in a Chronically Online World: MillenigenZ, and Social Media

Using a mixed methods approach, this paper explores MillenigenZ’s relationship with social media and its potential for creating an activist and productive third space. The sample highlights the views of Latino/a/e, Asian American, and immigrant members of this cohort. Combining content and textual analysis, surveys, and interviews with MillenigenZ, I find that in contrast to stereotypes, they crave in-person interaction and prefer to discuss contentious issues “in the real.” While they distrust official news sources, interpersonal relationships and alternate viewpoints are appreciated and valued. It remains to be seen if online spaces can create impactful third spaces that result in meaningful actions and policies. Many participants wanted to be engaged active members of their community and craved meaningful opportunities, which they found lacking. Mobilizing this group is essential for future elections and activism.

How is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our life, mental health, and well-being? Design and preliminary findings of the pan-Canadian longitudinal COHESION study

BackgroundWith the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person social interactions and opportunities for accessing resources that sustain health and well-being have drastically reduced. We therefore designed the pan-Canadian prospective COVID-19: HEalth and Social Inequities across Neighbourhoods (COHESION) cohort to provide a deeper understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic context affects mental health and well-being, key determinants of health, and health inequities.MethodsThis paper presents the design of the two-phase COHESION Study, and descriptive results from the first phase conducted between May 2020 and September 2021. During that period, the COHESION research platform collected monthly data linked to COVID-19 such as infection and vaccination status, perceptions and attitudes regarding pandemic-related measures, and information on participants’ physical and mental health, well-being, sleep, loneliness, resilience, substances use, living conditions, social interactions, activities, and mobility.ResultsThe 1,268 people enrolled in the Phase 1 COHESION Study are for the most part from Ontario (47%) and Quebec (33%), aged 48 ± 16 years [mean ± standard deviation (SD)], and mainly women (78%), White (85%), with a university degree (63%), and living in large urban centers (70%). According to the 298 ± 68 (mean ± SD) prospective questionnaires completed each month on average, the first year of follow-up reveals significant temporal variations in standardized indexes of well-being, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and psychological distress.ConclusionsThe COHESION Study will allow identifying trajectories of mental health and well-being while investigating their determinants and how these may vary by subgroup, over time, and across different provinces in Canada, in varying context including the pandemic recovery period. Our findings will contribute valuable insights to the urban health field and inform future public health interventions.

Factors Influencing Sri Lankan Doctors’ Behavior to Recommend Online Purchase of Medical Nutrition Products

Online purchase is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to in-store transactions due to constraints on in-person interaction. However, medical nutrition customers, mostly healthcare patients in Sri Lanka, are still apprehensive about purchasing products online. Doctors’ recommendations can positively influence patients’ decisions to buy medical nutrition online, but few researchers have studied this. This study incorporated the Unified Theory of Acceptance and User of Technology (UTAUT) to assess what influences doctors to recommend online medical nutrition purchases to their patients. This study utilized a quantitative survey involving 64 medical doctors in Sri Lanka and used partial least squares structural equation modeling for data analysis. The results showed that Performance Expectancy (PE), Social Influence (SI), and Effort Expectancy (EE) affect doctors’ Behavior Intention (BI) in recommending online purchasing for medical nutrition. This study will benefit the pharmaceutical industry in accelerating medical nutrition online purchases in Sri Lanka by leveraging doctors as social influencers to recommend online purchases and extend the application of UTAUT in the field.

Interprofessional survey on knowledge and attitudes of midwives regarding oral health, in France.

Oral health is essential for psychosocial well-being and general health. For expectant mothers, pregnancy increases the risk of oral diseases and has a subsequent impact on the oral health of a child once born. Midwives are in charge of pregnancy monitoring, childbirth and newborns' first days of life. They could have an important role in prevention. However, limited studies evaluating the knowledge, attitudes and practices on oral health among midwives have been conducted in Europe. We performed a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Two local midwifery associations sent out the questionnaire by email and social media networks to all registered midwives and practicing in the department of Herault (n=613), between April and May 2022. Statistical analyses on quantitative data and descriptive analyses of qualitative free-text responses were performed. In total, 167 midwives were included. We found a lack of knowledge on many oral health topics and this was stated as the main reason that only 29% of midwives provided oral health information to their patients. Only 30% of the midwives had a training module on oral health during their initial training, and less than half of them considered the training adequate. To improve their lack of knowledge, participants expressed a preference for digital communication methods for themselves; however, they favored in-person interaction for public interventions. This study showed a lack of training and knowledge about oral health among midwives and a lack of oral health discussion with expectant mothers who are a high-risk population for oral diseases.

Development Of An E-Learning Model Using CMS Moodle During Covid 19

Every aspect of life, particularly the field of education, has seen a change in orientation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Education is changing, and distance learning can help. In-person interactions are no longer the main focus. The purpose of this study is to use the CMS paradigm to create an e-learning model. In addition, the paradigm of teacher-oriented learning has given way to student-oriented learning. Students are now positioned as learning subjects rather than as learning objects in this student-oriented learning environment. These days, there are a lot of learning resources available, and e-learning involves the use of technology (the internet). Through the use of the Internet, intranet, or online media, educational resources can be made available to students through e-learning. further networks of computers. Given that computer technology is used by educators, students, and educational institutions to carry out teaching and learning activities, e-learning has become essential for the academic community. Software for online and website-based learning activities is known as Moodle-based e-learning media. This medium takes the form of an online course presentation tool where instructors can post lesson plans, instructional videos, PowerPoint presentations, discussion boards, and tests pertaining to certain journal articles.

Covid-19 and sociovirtualization

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes in social interaction, necessitating the exploration of new ways to socialize. This article employs a literature review methodology to delve into the impact of Covid-19 on socialization and the emergence of sociovirtualization as an alternative means of connecting and engaging with others in the digital realm.&#x0D; The article begins with an overview of the Covid-19 pandemic's global impact on social interaction, highlighting the need for physical distancing and the subsequent rise of sociovirtualization. The literature review method is then employed to examine relevant studies, research articles, and scholarly publications that shed light on the concepts of sociovirtualization and its implications for socialization. The advantages of sociovirtualization are examined, emphasizing the benefits it offers in terms of bridging geographical barriers, ensuring safety during the pandemic, and enabling global knowledge sharing. However, the article also acknowledges the challenges and limitations associated with sociovirtualization, such as technical issues and the potential impact on social connections.&#x0D; Strategies for overcoming the barriers to sociovirtualization are discussed, highlighting the importance of improved infrastructure, enhanced virtual features, and inclusive digital literacy programs. The article also explores the relationship between sociovirtualization and mental well-being, recognizing both the positive aspects of maintaining social connections and the potential challenges of excessive screen time and limited physical interactions.&#x0D; The article considers the future of socialization, envisioning sociovirtualization as a norm in our social lives. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that combines virtual and in-person interactions to foster authentic human connections. By embracing sociovirtualization while considering its implications, we can navigate the current circumstances and prepare for a future where virtual and real-world interactions coexist harmoniously.

Exploring the challenges and benefits of online youth-led nutrition programs

Nutrition educators at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) have been engaging low-income youth in youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) for several years. During COVID-19, these educators transitioned from in-person to online YPAR programming. Delivering the YPAR program online presented challenges but also fostered new strategies and provided benefits. This study assesses the challenges, strategies and benefits of online YPAR programming, and it examines future program implications from the perspectives of both nutrition educators and youth. Qualitative interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight nutrition educators who attempted to implement YPAR programming during the 2020–2021 school year. We used a retrospective Qualtrics survey to gain information from 54 youth participants. We found that online facilitation encouraged the innovative use of technology, which was especially important because it allowed teams to connect with each other during tumultuous times. This online format made meetings easier in terms of planning, documentation and logistics. However, the online format presented particular challenges, such as coping with internet and technology difficulties and trying to sustain authentic engagement among participants without in-person interactions. Consequently, 50% of nutrition educators and 45% of youth respondents said they preferred a mix of in-person and online meetings for future YPAR programming.

The virus be damned: Older adults seek romantic relationships during a pandemic

COVID-19 was concerning for older adults because they faced greater health risks from the virus and generally experience higher rates of isolation and loneliness. Single older adults are of particular concern because they also lack a cohabiting partner for social connection, so they may face greater levels of loneliness. Many older adults have been using technology to develop and maintain social connections, including romantic connections, to mitigate these feelings of loneliness and isolation. This research explores how feelings of loneliness connect to use of online dating sites during a pandemic, how older adults decided to and rationalized dating at a time when meeting in-person and social interactions were discouraged and dangerous, and how experiences differed between men and women. I interviewed 50 men and 50 women, ages 60–83, about their experiences seeking partners and dating during the pandemic. All respondents were single, heterosexual, and recruited from online dating websites, but varied by race, education level, marital experience, employment status, and geographic location. Single older adults relied on feelings of loneliness and isolation, the ubiquity of online dating sites, and particularly for women, adherence to safety measures while on a date as motivation for seeking and meeting romantic partners during a pandemic. Single older adults seeking new romantic interactions during a pandemic, when health risks were greater, illustrates the importance of intimate relationships even into older age and how loneliness and isolation are powerful drivers in seeking romantic relationships.

Technology to support aging in place: key messages for policymakers and funders.

AgeTech, a subset of the health technology industry, uses technology to support healthy aging, and support care partners and health professionals to improve quality of life for aging adults. By enhancing and adapting alternative care approaches through emerging technologies, it is possible to enable and extend the ability for older adults to safely age in place within their own homes, improve care experiences, and/or decrease long-term care costs/needs. With the rapid development and proliferation of AgeTech into the consumer market, it is paramount for policymakers and funders to ensure that AgeTech solutions can be leveraged to support older adults to age well in place. This paper highlights five key messages for policymakers and funders drawing on experiences from Canada. First, it is essential to embrace a life course perspective on aging, recognizing the heterogeneity of older adults who experience diverse and evolving needs. AgeTech should adapt as needs and capacities evolve. Second, AgeTech should solve a real problem. Technology must be well aligned to the needs and preferences of older adults to be impactful. Third, health related AgeTech should empower, enhance, or support existing health care services, while recognizing the value of human interactions. In-person interactions can provide meaningful connection and important health data which should be enhanced not replaced. Fourth, the establishment and ongoing fostering of authentic partnerships to inform, co-create and co-design AgeTech solutions is key to developing successful products. Finally, policymakers and funders have an important role to play in enabling accelerated design, development and testing to meet current and future needs.