ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses social engagement and communication challenges that are frequently confronted by older adults. It describes the impact of design on social engagement and communication and how design strategies can help remediate problems with isolation and loneliness among older people. Social engagement generally refers to the extent to which a person participates in the community, society, and relationships. Communication is a key to social engagement, relationships, and daily living activities. Communication takes many forms such as spoken and written language, gestures, facial expressions, and body language. In addition, age-related declines in inhibitory control and working memory can contribute to communication difficulties for an older adult listener, especially if they have a hearing impairment. One network of universities, the Age-Friendly University network, consists of institutions of higher education around the world that have endorsed age-friendly principles and are committed to becoming more age-friendly in their programs and policies.
