Making technology easier and safer for older adults
Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement - CREATE
This center develops and tests technology, AI tools, and training to make devices and services easier, safer, and more useful for older adults, including people with memory problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11397975 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
CREATE brings together a team of researchers who work with older adults to design, improve, and study technologies and AI tools for everyday life and healthcare. You may be invited to try new devices and interfaces, take part in usability and safety studies, and give feedback so products fit real needs. The center focuses on reaching people who often face barriers—such as those in rural areas, lower-income or minority communities, and older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia—and adapts solutions for them. Projects include hands-on user testing, surveys, remote monitoring, and training materials to help people learn and use technologies more comfortably.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults (typically aged 65+), including those with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's, caregivers, and people from rural, low-income, or minority communities who use or want to use technology.
Not a fit: People under 65, those with advanced dementia who cannot engage with technology testing, or individuals not interested in using tech are less likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make technology and AI supports more user-friendly and safer for older adults, helping them stay independent and connected.
How similar studies have performed: Prior efforts have improved device usability and caregiving supports, but applying AI and broadly reaching underserved older adults remains relatively new and needs more testing.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Czaja, Sara J — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Czaja, Sara J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.