Gerontology

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SPIE customizes solutions to meet client requirements where the aging population is concerned. The population of this country is graying. In fact, the American population now is older than it has ever been! In 1998, persons over the age of 65 numbered 34.3 million and older adults comprised 12.7% of the US population. By 2030, the population of older adults will increase to 70 million, comprising about 20% of the total population (Administration on Aging, 1999).

Furthermore, from 2000 to 2050, the population age 65 to 70 is projected to increase 95 percent, while the population 80 and older could increase as much as 244 percent (Adler, 2002; Friedland & Summer, 2005; Morrell, Dailey, Stoltz-Loike, Mayhorn, Echt, & Podany 2005). Moreover, the oldest Baby Boomers are now in their 60s and this group is expected to have a major impact on product development, the healthcare system, and how aging is generally perceived in the U.S.
SPIE offers services directed toward the aging population, the aging workforce, and organizations whose services are directed toward older adults. SPIE is also strategically networked to align consultants on a variety of aging issues to supplement an organization's existing and proposed projects.
We offer expertise in:
  • gerontology,
  • cognitive aging research,
  • health-related issues on aging, and
  • the use of information technology (computers and the Internet) by older adults.
With a background of working with Federal government agencies, commercial and non-profit organizations, SPIE can align an organization's goals to meet the growing needs of its maturing workforce.  Job task analyses,organizational needs analyses, and training needs analyses are used to target training to the specific needs and strategic goals of the organization to maintain mature workers' skills. In addition, SPIE works with organizations to build internal evaluation capacity to evaluate human capital programs on concerns ranging from program satisfaction to return on investment (ROI).
SPIE staff members have expertise in database design and development whether the methodology requires paper-based data collection or online tools and techniques. Common methods used to collect data include:
  • heuristic evaluation,
  • target audience usability testing with older adults utilizing the National Guidelines for Elder Accessibility,
  • observations,
  • interviews,
  • focus groups,
  • surveys, and
  • qualitative and quantitative systematic research
References:
• Adler, R. P. (2002). The Age Wave Meets the Technology Wave: Broadband and Older Americans. Paper presented at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C., June, 26. (http://www.seniornet.org).
• Administration on Aging. (1999). Profile of Older Americans. (http://www.aoa.gov/prof/statistics/profile/profiles.asp).
• Friedland, R. B., & Summer, L. (2005). Demography is Not Destiny, Revisited. (http://www.cmwf.org).
• Morrell, R. W., Dailey, S. R., Stoltz-Loike, M. Feldman, C., Mayhorn, C. B., Echt,, K. V., & Podany, K. (2005).Information Technology and Older Adults: The Evolution of Scientific Research and Web Site Accessibility Guidelines. Gaithersburg, MD: Practical Memory Institute LTD.
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