The Art of Partnership: Perspectives from Older Adults in Research

The Art of Partnership: Perspectives from Older Adults in Research

We are excited to share a new video highlighting the unique perspectives of older adult and caregiver partners at the McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging on what ideal partnership in research means to them.  

“The Art of Partnership: Through Our Lens,” created by Collaborative trainee, Karina Tavernese, evolved from a participatory multi-methods project designed to evaluate and strengthen partnership at the Collaborative. Led by MIRA Undergraduate Summer Research Fellow, Marfy Abousifein, the project was co-designed with older adult and caregiver partners, demonstrating the Collaborative’s commitment to working in partnership in all that we do. 

Reflecting on the process, Abousifein shared, “Leading this project taught me how to utilize inclusive research practices to amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities, such as older adults and those with disabilities, in research.” 

The video was inspired by contributions from Collaborative partners using PhotoVoice—a qualitative research method combining photography and reflective discussions —to explore the question, “What is ideal partnership?“. Emerging themes emphasized the importance of diversity, the value of lived experience, celebrating contributions, and fostering a supportive environment. By visually capturing these diverse perspectives, the video demonstrates the profound value of partnership in research, encouraging reflection on how researchers, trainees, and community members can collaborate more meaningfully. 

“We collectively share our unique lived experiences and skills to generate new ideas and new solutions.” – Tina, Older Adult Partner  

Sharing Our Insights 

In addition to capturing their perspectives through PhotoVoice, the partners completed the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool (PPEET) survey and participated in a focus group that will be used to enhance partnership with older adults at the Collaborative.  

In June 2024, the team published the paper, “Co-designing a Participatory Evaluation of Older Adult Partner Engagement in the McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging”, in the journal Research Involvement and Engagement, outlining their process and experiences using each of the methods. Abousifein also presented the results from the broader study and insights from using a participatory approach to evaluate engagement at the Canadian Association on Gerontology Conference in Edmonton, AB, on October 26, 2024. 

We invite you to watch the video and consider how partnerships like these can inspire more inclusive, impactful research in the work you do. 

We would like to acknowledge the effort, dedication, and creativity of the Collaborative’s older adult and caregiver partners. Your work, ideas, and insights have been instrumental in all the work we collectively do. 

Funding for the McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging is provided by the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit, which is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Province of Ontario and partner Ontario hospital foundations and institutes.