The Casa Farnese Symposium on Healthy Aging, Technology & Hope, hosted at Drexel University, brought together a diverse group of designers, researchers, healthcare professionals, technologists, policy makers, and older adult residents to reimagine aging in urban environments. Focused on the intersection of innovation, empathy, and equity, the symposium explored how thoughtful design and emerging technologies can support healthy, connected, and dignified aging especially within underserved communities.
A key feature of the symposium was the Design Sprint, in collaboration with the Drexel Design Research for Health Lab. This participatory, human-centered workshop invited students, professionals, and residents of Casa Farnese to co-design solutions that address the spatial and social challenges of aging in place. Guided by lived experiences and evidence-based methods, the sprint generated actionable strategies centered on autonomy, intergenerational connectivity, digital inclusion, and the overall enhancement of daily life for older adults.
The collaborative process underscored the importance of community-driven innovation placing the voices of older adults at the forefront of design thinking. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and elevating resident insights, the symposium served as both a reflective and generative space for creating more equitable aging environments.
Through its emphasis on participatory design, health research, and urban empathy, the Casa Farnese Symposium stands as a vital step toward shaping a hopeful and inclusive future for aging in cities.
Design Sprint
The Design Sprint brought together designers, researchers, technologists, and older adult residents for an immersive co-design session.
The sprint focused on envisioning intergenerational urban spaces that promote dignity, independence, and connectivity Through participatory activities like empathy mapping, and scenario building, we explored how design and technology could intersect to improve everyday life for aging populations
Themes such as accessibility, community engagement, safety, and humancentered AI emerged strongly in each team’s concept.
The energy was collaborative and forward-thinking, and the experience reaffirmed the value of including lived experience in the design process It also laid the groundwork for future research and design interventions rooted in real-world needs and aspirations.
THEFARNESE SYMPOSIUMON AGING
Joseph H. Jacovini Chairman, Casa Farnese Board of Directors
Keynote Addresse
George Demiris, PhD, FACMI
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, New Courtland Center for Transitions, Office of Nursing Research
Honorable Annette M. Rizzo (Ret.), President, Casa Farnese Board of Directors
Moderator
D. S. Nicholas, PhD, NCIDQ, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, ASID, Associate Professor Drexel University, Westphal College; Director MS Design Research, MsDes, Drexel Design Research for Health Lab
Panelists
Nora Dowd Eisenhower, JD Volunteer State President for AARP Pennsylvania, Assistant Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Older Americans; Vice President for Economic Security at the National Council on Aging; Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Michael G. Wagner, PhD Department Head, Digital Media; Program Director, Graduate Digital Media, URBN Center, Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
June He, MA, BE, Assistant Professor of Product Design, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Jill Michal, Founder and CEO, Kith + Kin, 2020; former Business Transformation Leader at Independence Blue Cross; CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Healthcare Sector Leader at Arthur Andersen
