Senior-to-Senior Brochure
Younger AdultsOverview of the Human Factors and Aging Laboratory
Left to right, Front Row:Cory-Ann Smarr, Michael Morgan, Tracy Mitzner, Wendy Rogers, Akanksha Prakash, Sara McBride, Laura Barg-Walkow, Lorenza Tiberio
Back Row Jenay Beer, Katherine Olson
At Georgia Tech, human factors and aging is studied from the broad perspective representative of the field of human factors. The Human Factors and Aging Laboratory is specifically oriented toward developing a fundamental understanding of aging, cognition, and attention. The Human Factors and Aging Laboratory is also committed to bringing that fundamental basic knowledge to bear on design issues important to the quality and safety of activities of daily living encountered by older adults.
What is Successful Aging?
Embedded in the overarching philosophy of the Human Factors and Aging Laboratory at Georgia Tech is the belief in the importance of understanding successful aging. Our research activities are motivated by that goal. The concept of successful aging refers to factors that allow individuals to function effectively and successfully as they age. Our research does not emphasize loss of function associated with aging; rather, we wish to understand factors that are responsible for retaining, or even enhancing, a person's ability to function in later life. Our research efforts are conducted within the framework of human factors science and application. As such, our research continues to contribute to the fundamental, scientific knowledge concerning adults' (of all ages) capabilities and limitations. We are particularly interested in understanding perceptual, cognitive, and movement control capabilities and limitations. Because of the human factors focus, we strive to apply that scientific knowledge to better design products, environments, and training programs. Through application of our scientific data we hope to accomplish the goal of helping each other enjoy the added longevity that people experience in today's world.
