ABSTRACT
The primary objective of this book was to provide an in-depth, multi-disciplinary knowledge base for participatory approaches in ageing research. In this final chapter, we summarise the main lessons learned from the contributions in this book and encourage readers to think about the potential future(s) of participatory approaches in ageing research. Drawing on insights from over 25 projects from Australia, Canada, Europe, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA, these learnings arise from different disciplinary perspectives, a wide variety of applied methods and socio-geographical contexts of participatory approaches in ageing research. The findings drawn from them are highly relevant both for research and practice, ranging from the design of ageing policies to product and service development, urban and landscape planning, health, care and social work. From our perspective, the following aspects play a crucial role in this: heterogeneity of older adults; global transformations in modern societies; participation of older adults in policy-making and products/services’ designs; ageism; as well as the need for flexibility and adaptability in order to successfully co-create research. Instead of giving answers, we conclude with micro, meso and macro-level questions that ageing research may tackle in the future.
