Adult Preference Research Articles

Effectiveness of online advertisement on the behavior of stripling in purchasing the lifestyle products: A comparative study of urban and rural college students

The 21st century has shown remarkable changes in the Indian marketing landscape due to internet adoption and technological advancements. The young generation's embrace of online activities has transformed the consumer behavior. With 840 million internet users, including 448 million active users on social media, online advertising has become a powerful tool to attract attention and drive product purchases. Simultaneously, E-commerce platforms have revolutionized access to goods and services. In this view, this study focuses on understanding the impacts of online advertisements on the purchasing behavior of the young generation, specifically in terms of lifestyle products. Researchers explored how online advertisement has influenced decision-making processes and uncovered the motives driving internet usage among young adults. Additionally, the study assessed the perceptions of trustworthiness between online and offline products. 200 respondents from rural and urban colleges were analyzed to identify the key factors determining the purchasing decisions among young adults. Price, discounts, perceived needs, and timeliness are some of the factors explored. The findings revealed the impacts of online advertisements on product purchases among college students in both rural and urban settings. Insights into young adults' motivations and preferences are invaluable for businesses to effectively engage with this dynamic consumer base. Armed with these findings, businesses can develop targeted marketing strategies that resonate with the evolving digital landscape, ensuring success in India's digitally-driven market.

An Analysis of Preferences and Decision-Making Factors Among Young Consumers in the Polish Furniture Industry

This study explores the online furniture purchasing preferences of young adults, highlighting their increasing reliance on e-commerce due to convenience and access to a wide product range. Key findings indicate that tables, coffee tables, chairs, and armchairs are the most popular categories purchased online, while items like beds and sofas are less favoured due to the need for physical inspection. Trust in the brand and after-sales service significantly influence purchasing decisions. The results suggest that furniture retailers should focus on building a strong online presence, offering flexible financing, and ensuring high-quality customer service.

OLDER US ADULTS PREFER SHORT, FREQUENT RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH DIFFICULTY WALKING

Abstract Though resistance training (RT) improves strength and physical function, fewer than 20% of older adults do RT at least twice weekly, as recommended by national guidelines. Even when programs are free, such as Silver Sneakers, fewer than 25% participate and those that do rarely attend (averaging < 20 visits/year). Many individuals cite “lack of time” as the primary reason for not attending. Therefore, one approach to increase participation in RT programs could be making sessions shorter. However, little is known about older adult RT program preferences. Therefore, we conducted a nationwide survey among 611 US adults aged 65 and over. We compared their interest in a traditional (45 minutes, three days/week) RT program to a shorter, more frequent (5-minute, every day) RT program. Overall, 2.2 times as many older adults preferred the shorter vs. the traditional RT program (68.4% v. 31.6%; p< 0.001). Furthermore, barrier self-efficacy for the shorter program was 50% greater than the traditional program. Adults with health concerns, like poorer self-rated health and a history of falls, were significantly more likely to be interested in the shorter program. Notably, 87% of older adults with difficulty walking also preferred the shorter program. These findings suggest strong interest in short RT programs among older adults, especially those with poorer health and mobility disabilities for whom traditional RT programs may be too challenging. Reducing the duration of RT programs may be an appealing option to engage older adults in RT, particularly among those for whom the program would provide the most benefit.

HOUSING CONCERNS AND TRAJECTORIES OF KINLESS OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA

Abstract Housing preferences of older adults (e.g., to remain in residence, or relocate), housing options available, and housing needs related to changing physical and cognitive abilities are common concerns of aging. The challenges are possibly more complex for those living with dementia, who may have difficulty articulating housing preferences, and whose housing needs may include supportive care. For those with dementia who lack close kin, these challenges are likely significantly compounded. This paper focuses on the intersection of housing concerns for 64 participants in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study who were kinless (no living spouse or children) when they developed dementia. All the ACT participants were 65+ when recruited. Everyone in this sample had received a research diagnosis, and their mean age at dementia onset (estimated at the midpoint between the research study that triggered the diagnostic evaluation, and the last research study before that -- usually one year before diagnosis) was 87 (Standard Deviation [SD] 7 years), with a median age of 86 and a range of 71-103.We present an analysis of their housing trajectories, as captured in chart notes from their medical records. We highlight multiple themes illustrating how housing intersects with health and social well-being and conclude by commenting on the potential of medical records for understanding and documenting issues related to housing.

DESIGN NEEDS AND PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER ADULTS REGARDING SHARED-USE AUTOMATED VEHICLES

Abstract Many communities struggle to provide safe, accessible, and reliable transportation services for older adults due to high demand, rising costs, driver shortages, and other evolving challenges. Innovative transportation solutions are needed to support the current and future populations of older adults. Low-speed, shared-use, driverless shuttles present an exciting development in automated vehicle (AV) technology with potential to meet mobility needs of older adults in their community. Understanding older adults’ perceptions about and willingness to consider using these emerging modes of transportation is vital to realizing the full potential of these technologies. This presentation summarizes an in-person study conducted with 12 older (average: 66 +/- 4 years of age, range: 60 to 80 years) and 10 younger (average: 44 +/- 11 years) adults that evaluated a stationary, proof-of-concept shared-use AV retrofitted with accessibility features. We will present findings on perceptions regarding accessibility, safety, and willingness to use driverless AVs along with human factors design recommendations. While questionnaire-based studies have been the dominant approach to understanding older adults’ perceptions about shared-use AVs, in-person evaluations even with prototype AVs as described here, provide opportunities to identify goals, needs and preferences of older adults concerning usability and safety in early design stages, and through hands-on exploration help older adults develop good mental models, i.e., understand AV capabilities and limitations, towards building trust and acceptance for these emerging modes of transportation. Research and policy implications will be discussed towards enabling emerging driverless shared-use AV technologies that support safe and independent community mobility for older adults.

OLDER ADULTS WITH MULTIPLE CHRONIC CONDITIONS FROM VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: THE SUCCESS OF PATIENT PRIORITIES CARE

Abstract As older adults in the USA grow more diverse, equitable translation of knowledge and best practices to vulnerable groups is essential. Older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) benefit from care focused on the health priorities of individuals. Health priorities include: 1) core values that provide meaning to life; 2) specific, actionable, and realistic health goals that reflect these values; and 3) care preferences that include what individuals are able and willing to do (or not) to achieve their goals. For vulnerable older adults, adverse life experiences provide context to their values. A diverse panel will review the Patient Priorities Care (PPC) approach and describe how PPC has been successfully adapted at different institutions. The first presentation will describe PPC and the importance of identifying values, goals, and health preferences for older adults with MCC. The presenter will show that PPC improves outcomes among older adults, their families, and healthcare providers. The second presentation will describe the implementation of PPC in the VA system. The presenter will describe the impact of PPC and efforts to disseminate it. The third and fourth presentations will describe the cultural adaptation of PPC for older African Americans and older Hispanics respectively. The presenters will describe the adaptation process and discuss the barriers they faced, and the lessons learned from each population group. The panel will conclude by providing suggestions on how to disseminate and increase the adoption of PPC to identify what matters most for diverse older adults.

Volatiles from cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) infested plants attract the natural enemy Hippodamia variegata.

The Aphis gossypii is a major threat of cotton worldwide due to its short life cycle and rapid reproduction. Chemical control is the primary method used to manage the cotton aphid, which has significant environmental impacts. Therefore, prioritizing eco-friendly alternatives is essential for managing the cotton aphid. The ladybird, Hippodamia variegata, is a predominant predator of the cotton aphid. Its performance in cotton plantation is directly linked to chemical communication, where volatile compounds emitted from aphid-infested plants play important roles in successful predation. Here, we comprehensively studied the chemical interaction between the pest, natural enemy and host plants by analyzing the volatile profiles of aphid-infested cotton plants using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We then utilized the identified volatile compounds in electrophysiological recording (EAG) and behavioral assays. Through behavioral tests, we initially demonstrated the clear preference of both larvae and adults of H. variegata for aphid-infested plants. Subsequently, 13 compounds, namely α-pinene, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, 4-ethyl-1-octyn-3-ol, β-ocimene, dodecane, E-β-farnesene, decanal, methyl salicylate, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, farnesol, DMNT, and TMTT were identified from aphid-infested plants. All these compounds were electrophysiologically active and induced detectable EAG responses in larvae and adults. Y-tube olfactometer assays indicated that, with few exceptions for larvae, all identified chemicals were attractive to H. variegata, particularly at the highest tested concentration (100 mg/ml). The outcomes of this study establish a practical foundation for developing attractants for H. variegata and open avenues for potential advancements in aphid management strategies by understanding the details of chemical communication at a tritrophic level.

Treatment Preferences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Depressive Symptoms: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Depression in adolescents and young adults is common and causes considerable disease burden while hampering their development, leading to adverse consequences in later life. Although treatment is available, young people are a vulnerable group regarding uptake and completion of treatment. To improve this, insight into youth's preferences for treatment is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate patient preferences for depression treatment in a Dutch sample aged 16-24 years using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). The study was conducted in The Netherlands between October 2018 and June 2019, and included 236 adolescents and young adults with current depressive symptoms or previous treatment. The DCE included five attributes (treatment type,frequency of appointment, waiting time, effectiveness, evaluation of therapeutic alliance) with corresponding levels. Results were analysed using latent class analysis. Results show a general preference for individual psychotherapy, treatment with high frequency, high effectiveness, short waiting time and a standard evaluation of the therapeutic alliance ('click' with the therapist) early in treatment. Latent class analysis revealed three different patterns of preferences regarding treatment type and willingness to engage in therapy. The first class showed a strong preference for individual therapy. The second class, including relatively older, higher educated and treatment-experienced participants, preferred high frequency treatment and was more open to different forms of therapy. The third class, including lower educated, younger and treatment-naïve adolescents showed reluctance to engage in therapy overall and in group therapy specifically. In this DCE, three classes could be identified that share similar preferences regarding treatment effectiveness, waiting time and evaluation of the therapeutic alliance, but varied considerably in their preference for treatment type (individual, group, or combined psychotherapy) and their willingness to engage. The results from this study may inform mental health care providers and institutions and help optimize professional care for adolescents and young adults with depressive symptoms, improving engagement in this vulnerable group.

Ultramorphology of the proboscis and sensilla of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), is one of the most destructive lepidopteran pests affecting maize in Asia. Previous research on the feeding behavior of O. furnacalis has mostly focused on larvae, but the adult feeding preference has been unclear hitherto. In this study, we investigated the ultramorphology of the proboscis and sensilla of O. furnacalis using scanning electron microscopy and made morphological comparisons between the sexes, attempting to make predictions on the food preference and feeding behavior of the adults. The proboscis of O. furnacalis is divided into zones 1 and 2 with three types of sensilla, namely chaetica, basiconica, and styloconica. The entire proboscis and zone 2 of the females are significantly longer than those of the males. The main sexual difference in the sensilla is shown in the number of sensilla styloconica, which are eight in females but nine in males. The feeding preference of adult O. furnacalis is discussed based on the morphology of the proboscis and sensilla.

Adolescent restraint stress enhances adult nicotine reinforcement in male and female rats

Adolescent stress is a risk factor for the initiation of nicotine use, but whether adolescent stress can enhance nicotine reinforcement when it is initiated later in adulthood is unknown, and it is unclear whether males and females are equally impacted. Therefore, this study assessed physiological responses (body weight and blood serum corticosterone – CORT) to restraint stress (RS) during adolescence (P28–55) or during adulthood (P70–96) in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. When all subjects reached adulthood (P69 or 110; 2 weeks after termination of stress exposure), they were tested on sucrose preference and intravenous single-dose nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration. It was found that all rats displayed a significant CORT response to RS. Importantly, stress during adolescence, but not during adulthood, enhanced subsequent acquisition of nicotine intake tested in adulthood. Although this effect was observed in both sexes, only males displayed reduced body weight gain and adult sucrose preference. Moreover, regardless of stress exposure, females were more stimulated by nicotine, consumed more nicotine overall, and displayed enhanced nicotine seeking. These results suggest that adolescence is a period of heightened sensitivity to the enhancing effect of repeated stress on the susceptibility to develop nicotine dependence later in life in both sexes.

Treatment preferences of adults and adolescents with alopecia areata: A discrete choice experiment.

PRODUCTS with janus kinase (JAK) inhibition have been shown to promote hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata (AA). To guide drug-approval and treatment decisions, it is important to understand patients' willingness to accept the potential risks of JAK inhibition in exchange for potential benefits. We quantified the treatment preferences of adult (≥18 years) and adolescent patients (12-17 years) with AA in the US and Europe to determine the trade-offs they are willing to make between benefits and risks. Preferences for oral AA treatment attributes were elicited using a discrete choice experiment consisting of 12 tasks in which patients chose between two hypothetical treatment alternatives and no treatment. Benefits included the probability of 80%-100% scalp hair regrowth (Severity of Alopecia Tool score ≤ 20) and achieving moderate-to-normal eyebrow and eyelash hair. Treatment-related risks included 3-year probabilities of serious infection, cancer, and blood clots. Preference estimates were used to calculate the maximum level of each risk that patients were willing to accept for increases in treatment benefits. The most important attribute to both adults (n = 201) and adolescents (n = 120) was a 50% probability of achieving hair regrowth on most or all the scalp; however, adolescents placed greater relative importance on this attribute than did adults. Adults were averse to the risks of serious infection, cancer, and blood clots, whereas adolescents were averse to the risk of cancer. For a 20% increase in the probability of 80%-100% scalp hair regrowth, adults were willing to accept a mean (95% confidence interval) 3-year risk of serious infection, cancer, and blood clots of 7.4% (5.5-9.3), 2.5% (1.9-3.1), and 9.3% (6.4-12.2). Adolescents were willing to accept a 3-year risk of cancer of 3.3% (2.4-4.2). Patients with AA in the US and Europe are willing to accept substantial risks to obtain an effective treatment.

Environmental press of urban greenspace pre-post COVID on older adults: A big data study in metropolitan Atlanta

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted the use of urban green spaces. For older adults who are vulnerable to environmental press, there were more concerns with being outside after COVID-19, especially in metropolitan areas with a high population density. Reframing urban greenspaces to encourage older adults to spend time outdoors requires further consideration. Using block groups and park POI data from the Atlanta metropolitan area retrieved from SafeGraph, this study assesses the types of urban greens spaces that fit the needs of older adults pre and post COVID-19 and how park features influenced their use of the parks. The results indicate a high decrease in park visitation after COVID-19 for visitors from block groups with a higher aging population. The preferences of older adults visiting urban greenspaces changed from small scale parks pre-pandemic to large scale parks post start of the pandemic. Park visitations of older adults were impacted by park sizes, locations, environmental variables, and park features, which contribute to the shift of environmental press. Paths and trails are the primary park feature attracting older adults pre-post COVID-19. Findings can inform future design and research of urban greenspaces accommodating the competence of older adults.

Exploring the Association Between Trunk Asymmetry and Dominance Preference

Background: Trunk asymmetry, an indicator of potential scoliosis, manifests as an uneven distribution in body alignment such as shoulder, head, and hip positions. An individual's inherent preference to use one side of the body over the other, known as laterality, may contribute to such imbalances. This study aimed to explore the correlation between trunk asymmetry and side preference in adults, particularly in relation to hand, foot, ear, and eye dominance. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 164 young adults aged 18-25 were screened using the Adam’s forward bend test. Data collection encompassed three phases: demographic and anthropometric data collection (Phase 1), a visual inspection for head tilt, shoulder and pelvic asymmetry, and spinal curvature deviation (Phase 2), and an assessment of side dominance using a 16-item lateral preference inventory questionnaire (Phase 3). Results: Hand dominance correlated significantly with head tilt (p < 0.01), shoulder asymmetry (p < 0.05), and ear asymmetry (83.5% concordance), while foot dominance was associated with pelvic tilt (57.3% concordance). Eye dominance showed a 65.9% concordance with ear asymmetry, and ear dominance was linked to head tilt and shoulder asymmetry (81.7% and 94.5% concordance, respectively). Spinal curve deviation displayed a chi-square value of 3.158 (p < 0.05) with hand dominance and 4.321 (p < 0.05) with foot dominance. Conclusion: The study establishes a significant association between trunk asymmetry and dominance preference. These findings advocate for the integration of laterality assessments in the clinical evaluation of trunk asymmetry to potentially enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform therapeutic approaches.

Interest in and barriers to online ESOL instruction for adults during and beyond COVID‐19: Exploring relationships with sociodemographics and English proficiency

AbstractDigital divides mean that marginalized groups such as adults who speak English as a second or other language (ESOL) are less likely to have access to online instruction. Higher levels of English proficiency are associated with better health and employment; therefore, access to ESOL classes is essential. We investigated how sociodemographics and English proficiency relate to adult learners' preferences for, and barriers to, online instruction of ESOL during and beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic. Sixty‐one adults completed a survey on their pandemic experiences, demographics, and ESOL classes. Analyses showed nonsignificant relationships between interest in online instruction and internet access, education, income, and age. Respondents reported expecting more nondigital than digital barriers to online instruction overall. Expecting to encounter digital barriers did not constrain respondents' interest in future online instruction; however, beginner‐proficiency individuals had higher interest than those with intermediate or no proficiency. Of the five specific types of remote instruction included in the survey, learning to use new technologies interested most respondents the most. Results will inform ESOL practitioners and administrations as they continue to develop online or digital literacies components for their classes.

Conserved temperature requirements but contrasting responses to humidity across oviposition preferences in temperate grasshoppers

The right choice of an oviposition site is a crucial task for oviparous species without maternal care. In contrast to well investigated biotic factors, e.g., larval food preferences, parasitism, predation, and competition avoiding, abiotic factors affecting oviposition preferences in insects have been rarely investigated in comparative studies. To improve our current understanding of oviposition site selection in Orthoptera, we investigated the influence of substrate temperature and moisture on the oviposition behaviour of 14 temperate grasshopper species. Conspecific groups of adults were kept in arenas with simultaneous temperature and moisture gradients. For each ootheca produced during the experiment (n = 1192) we recorded its depth and local microclimatic conditions. Our results indicate that microclimatic oviposition preferences significantly differ among species, however, correlations between adult habitat preferences and microclimatic oviposition preferences were surprisingly weak. Even oligothermic species preferred substrate temperatures around 30 °C and some xerothermic species preferred higher humidity. The hypothesized tendency to place oothecae closer to the ground within grass tussocks under hot and dry conditions was confirmed. It is possible that species evaluate microclimatic conditions for oviposition in the context of occupied habitat, i.e., in a relative rather than absolute manner.

Older adults'needs and preferences for a nutrition education digital health solution: A participatory design study.

The global population is ageing rapidly and there is a need for strategies to promote health and wellbeing among older adults. Nutrition knowledge is a key predictor of dietary intake; therefore, effective educational programmes are urgently required to rectify poor dietary patterns. Digital health technologies provide a viable option for delivering nutrition education that is cost-effective and widely accessible. However, few technologies have been developed to meet the unique needs and preferences of older adults. The aim of this study was to explore technology use among older adults and qualitatively determine the content needs and design preferences for an online nutrition education resource tailored to older adult consumers in Australia. Twenty adult participants aged 55 years and older (95% female) participated in one of four 2-h participatory design workshops. In each workshop, prompted discussion questions were used to explore participants' technology use and preferencesand to explore content needs and design preferences for an online nutrition education resource specific to older adults. All participants were regularly using a range of different devices (e.g., smartphones, tabletsand computers) and reported being comfortable doing so. Participants wanted a website that provided general nutrition information, practical adviceand recipes. To enhance engagement, they sought a personalised resource that could be adjusted to suit their needs, included up-to-date informationand allowed for easy sharing with others by exporting information as a PDF. Participatory design methods generate new knowledge for designing and tailoring digital health technologies to be appropriate and useful for the target audience. Specifically, older adults seek an online resource that has large and simple fonts with clear categories, providing them with practical advice and general nutrition information that can be personalised to suit their own needs and health concerns, with the option to export and print information into a paper-based format. Older adults actively participated in the development and evaluation process to generate ideas about potential features, functionalities, uses and practicalities of an online nutrition education resource.

A more accurate assessment of circadian typology is achieved by asking persons to indicate their preferred times rather than comparing themselves with most people

ABSTRACT The aim of the present work was to compare two circadian questionnaires: the Preference Scale (PS) and the reduced version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ). A sample of 849 (35.10% men) university students, 421 of whom were Spanish (27.55% men; mean age 21.07 + 2.31) and 428 Italian (42.52% men; mean age 23.26 + 3.01), were administered both questionnaires. Gender (higher morningness in women) and nationality (higher eveningness in Spaniards) differences were replicated with rMEQ but not with PS, in which an inverse association between nationality and circadian preference was observed (i.e. higher morningness in Spaniards). Taking into account that the formulation of the rMEQ items, with its specific times, makes the answers less influenced by socio-cultural bias, we conclude that rMEQ is preferable to PS when evaluating circadian preference in young adults.

A multimethods randomized trial found that plain language versions improved adults understanding of health recommendations

ObjectivesTo make informed decisions, the general population should have access to accessible and understandable health recommendations. To compare understanding, accessibility, usability, satisfaction, intention to implement, and preference of adults provided with a digital “Plain Language Recommendation” (PLR) format vs. the original “Standard Language Version” (SLV). Study Design and SettingAn allocation-concealed, blinded, controlled superiority trial and a qualitative study to understand participant preferences. An international on-line survey. 488 adults with some English proficiency. 67.8% of participants identified as female, 62.3% were from the Americas, 70.1% identified as white, 32.2% had a bachelor's degree as their highest completed education, and 42% said they were very comfortable reading health information. In collaboration with patient partners, advisors, and the Cochrane Consumer Network, we developed a plain language format of guideline recommendations (PLRs) to compare their effectiveness vs. the original standard language versions (SLVs) as published in the source guideline. We selected two recommendations about COVID-19 vaccine, similar in their content, to compare our versions, one from the World Health Organization (WHO) and one from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The primary outcome was understanding, measured as the proportion of correct responses to seven comprehension questions. Secondary outcomes were accessibility, usability, satisfaction, preference, and intended behavior, measured on a 1-7 scale. ResultsParticipants randomized to the PLR group had a higher proportion of correct responses to the understanding questions for the WHO recommendation (mean difference [MD] of 19.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.7–24.9%; P < 0.001) but this difference was smaller and not statistically significant for the CDC recommendation (MD of 3.9%, 95% CI −0.7% to 8.3%; P = 0.096). However, regardless of the recommendation, participants found the PLRs more accessible, (MD of 1.2 on the seven-point scale, 95% CI 0.9–1.4%; P < 0.001) and more satisfying (MD of 1.2, 95% CI 0.9–1.4%; P < 0.001). They were also more likely to follow the recommendation if they had not already followed it (MD of 1.2, 95% CI 0.7–1.8%; P < 0.001) and share it with other people they know (MD of 1.9, 95% CI 0.5–1.2%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the preference between the two formats (MD of −0.3, 95% CI −0.5% to 0.03%; P = 0.078). The qualitative interviews supported and contextualized these findings. ConclusionHealth information provided in a PLR format improved understanding, accessibility, usability, and satisfaction and thereby has the potential to shape public decision-making behavior.

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.

Older adults’ heterogeneous preferences for climate-proof urban blue-green spaces: A case of Chengdu, China

Both global warming and population aging are key issues currently facing society. Urban blue-green space (UBGS) can effectively improve older adults’ health by providing cooling and opportunities to experience nature, both of which are important factors affecting their health. A better understanding of the landscape preferences of older adults and the importance they assign to different landscape elements is key for the appropriate planning and design of climate-proof UBGS. Such UBGS may increase the visiting frequency and outdoor activities of older adults. Therefore, it is important to understand the climate-proof design of UBGS from an older adults’ perspectives. However, the existing literature is insufficient, and only few studies have addressed climate-proof landscapes for older adults. To fill this gap, this study analyzed older adults’ perceptions and preferences for climate-proof landscapes provided by UBGS in the city of Chengdu, China, using face-to-face questionnaires (n = 332) and interviews. The participants were asked to share their preferences for climate-proof facilities among photos of 13 landscape elements and 44 landscape features and indicate the importance of each one. The data were subsequently imported into SPSS22 and analyzed using chi-square tests, the analytic hierarchy process, and correlational analyses. The results showed that older adults attach almost equal importance to landscape features related to comfort and safety, while large differences were observed in their preferences for landscape elements related to aesthetics and sensory stimulation. These results can guide the scientific improvement of climate-proof landscape planning and design and provide new ideas for actively responding to aging issues.