Development and evaluation of an anti-ageism advisory group with older adults and gerontological experts: a qualitative descriptive study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In recent years, academics have increasingly acknowledged the importance of involving health service users and community stakeholders as active partners in health research. Yet, the involvement of older adults, the largest group of health service users, as research partners remains limited, possibly due to ageist attitudes that devalue older adults' contributions. During the three years of our Awakening Canadians to Ageism study, we convened an advisory group consisting of older adults and gerontological experts to discuss issues related to ageism, help interpret the study findings, and develop a range of knowledge mobilization strategies to dispel ageism. METHODS: To understand the experiences of members of the advisory group and solicit recommendations for improving future groups, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study and interviewed 8 older adults and 6 gerontological experts. Data were content analyzed. RESULTS: Four categories that were developed to explain participants' experiences and suggestions for future advisory groups included organization and management, group experience, suggestions for future advisory groups and moving forward. A key finding was the value that the older adults and gerontological experts ascribed to conversations about the prevalence of ageism and their desire to continue these types of conversations in their personal groups and professional networks. Numerous helpful strategies for future advisory groups were identified, such as enhancing social diversity, both in terms of racial/ethnic/cultural representation and gender. Older adults wanted more "getting to know you time" in meetings and gerontological experts wanted more details about the research process and their role. CONCLUSIONS: This study's partnership approach can guide researchers seeking to involve key health service users and community stakeholders in health research and help enact positive social change.

In 2022 we developed an advisory group consisting of older adults and gerontological experts to review the findings of the first stage of our study Awakening Canadians to Ageism and provide guidance on knowledge mobilization and next steps. We interviewed 12 older adults and 6 gerontological experts from our advisory group to learn about their experiences with the group and provide suggestions for future groups. Participants provided feedback on group organization, management and processes, in addition to their experiences and strategies for future advisory groups. Both groups suggested enhancing the social diversity of the group, both in terms of racial/ethnic/cultural representation and gender. Older adults wanted more meeting time dedicated to getting to know the other groups members and gerontological experts wanted more details about the research process and their role.