Tangible Topics: Designing Technology to Enrich the Social Interactions of Older Adults in Community-Based Programs

Abstract

Community-based social programs play a vital role in helping independently-living older adults to maintain social connectedness. To investigate how technology can support these programs, we co-designed Tangible Topics, a tangible technology aimed at enhancing older adults’ social interactions during program sessions. Through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach with a local community center, this research involved three PAR cycles: (1) a co-design workshop with staff and older adults, (2) iterative co-development of Tangible Topics; and (3) deployment in three program sessions to evaluate its impact. We found that Tangible Topics enriched group interactions by expanding conversatio..