On September 20, McMaster buzzed with a new welcome-week style excitement as over 70 older adults and 50 students came together for Older Adult Open Campus Day (OAOCD), welcoming older adults from the Hamilton community and McMaster undergraduates in unlocking new on-campus experiences and opportunities across generations.
“Absolutely awesome day for older adults at university. I love being on campus in new and exciting ways and the offerings were pretty terrific.”
Therese, OAOCD attendee
Co-organized by the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) and the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program, the second annual OAOCD hosted small groups of older adults and students led by volunteer guides in exploring spaces like the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, W.J. McCallion Planetarium and more, including aging research-focused spaces such as Ivor Wynne Centre’s Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) and the new Gilbrea headquarters in Kenneth Taylor Hall. The event concluded with attendees—including McMaster alumni, former staff, and proud family members of current students—gathering from all corners of campus at The Hub for an illuminating lunchtime presentation on brain health by Dr. Anthony Levinson.
“There are lots of things that you don’t even know are here. It was well done and brought it to our level. It’s amazing to think of what we have here.”
Coral, OAOCD attendee
Local seniors’ residence Shalom Village—who connected with MIRA at the City of Hamilton Senior’s Fair in early summer—visited The Mills Library Archives and the brand-new Biology Greenhouse, travelling through campus on their residence bus.
“(The residents) want to get out, learn and be a part of the community. They like being a part of research, and love sharing their aging process too! There’s a lot of life left to live. (Coming to McMaster) affects the rest of their day, and the joy just spreads.”
Tracey Humphreys, Wellness Coordinator, Shalom Village
Why is a campus that welcomes learners of all ages so important?
“Community-engaged research is powerful because it connects academia with real-world experiences, fostering collaboration and trust. By involving community members, we ensure outcomes are both scientifically robust and socially relevant.” – Parminder Raina, Scientific Director of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging
Older Adult Open Campus day is a result of McMaster’s commitment to enhancing accessibility, inclusion, and the overall well-being of older adults through meaningful involvement in research and campus activities. This exciting day also fosters connections between older adults and students, building understanding and learning, improving intergenerational communication skills and providing valuable insights for students while engaging and empowering older adults to feel comfortable and welcomed at the University.
“I love it here. My kids went here, and I was here working for twenty years. My spirit is always here. When I come to McMaster, I feel at home. Find me a gerontology position!”
Anita, visitor from Shalom Village
McMaster University is a member of the Age-Friendly University Network, a global body made up of higher education institutions that are committed to becoming more universally accessible. Community engagement and intergenerational learning are central to both McMaster and MIRA’s mandate to optimize the health and longevity of Canada’s aging population through leading-edge research, and Gilbrea’s mission to improve all aspects of social health and wellbeing for older adults in the community. All emphasize implementing co-design principles; meaningfully involving the end-users of aging research with the research process from beginning to end.
“I’m thrilled by this, I didn’t know that such a thing existed! I drive by a lot and I can see all these beautiful things on campus, and then I heard about the greenhouse and I thought ‘that’s it!’”
Donna, OAOCD visitor from Shalom Village
Engaging the community is a key component of co-design, and forges the connections, comfort and insights that make research stronger, says recent McMaster research. But barriers to access, both perceived and genuine, may paint universities as less than welcoming spaces to older adults.
“It is a valuable chance to open our doors to the community and share in a special event with a community that gives their knowledge, experience and time with so many of our researchers. Everyone involved in the event, from our visit hosts to the students, benefits from sharing their perspectives while having fun together.” – Anthea Innes, Director, Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, Professor, Health, Aging and Society
“The students are very engaging. They are a testament to themselves and their families. I am very happy with the event and the level of student engagement”
Rosina, OAOCD attendee
The road to Older Adults Open Campus Day…
“I enjoy being on campus. I thought the students would look at me like I was out of touch, but they don’t! I found them quite open and welcoming. I didn’t feel out of place. It was fine. It was good. I like listening how they think and talking to them about the future. I like to hear how they think.”
Lynda, Bites and Insights attendee
With these goals in mind, the teams from MIRA and Gilbrea organized a series of community-targeted springtime events welcoming older adults to converse and connect on how McMaster can improve reaching older adults. Held at Hamilton Public Libraries from Dundas to Stoney Creek, the Bites and Insights series featured presentations on aging research topics followed by open discussion and a design-thinking exercise. Community members shared feedback on the barriers to engagement with McMaster, but also expressed overwhelming excitement about on-campus opportunities and pride about the research the University contributes to the community.
…and where do we go from here? (A community engagement journey)
Starting in Fall 2024, MIRA will be hosting a new series welcoming the community to spaces on-campus and off for exciting events and exclusive presentations. Sage Conversations invites older adults to a one-woman show featuring researcher Dawn Bowdish, a dueling cello concert in the McMaster LIVElab space and a presentation and talk at the fan-favourite planetarium. More events will be added through the spring, as always, co-created with the community based on feedback and insights.
MIRA also supports Voice, an online platform for community engagement in research. Connecting McMaster researchers with an engaged and enthusiastic community of participants strengthens the research process for everyone involved. Through all of these endeavors, the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging continues to create a community of accessibility and inclusion broadening the “McMaster community” to learners of all ages, strengthening the impact of research.
“Last year’s experience was so positive and beautiful that it drew me back in again this year. I was 14 days into my university experience, and I was so nervous of what the older adults would think about me. I sat next to a woman named Beth at the planetarium, and we both shared our histories. I felt so warm and connected to a person for the first time since beginning my university journey. This opportunity helped me to understand on an undeniable level that connection with older adults is deeply fulfilling to the heart and soul. Just go, talk to people, listen to them, and have fun!”
Second year Health, Aging and Society student
“This is wonderfully organized. Thank you for always opening the door.”
Theresa, OAOCD attendee
