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Background and objectives <p>Against the background of demographic change and the increasing number of older people in Germany, there is a&#xa0;growing need for professionals who have the skills to deal with age-related changes—far beyond the health and care sector. The present work addresses the research deficit regarding the effect of age simulations on the sensitization of cross-professional actors, especially from social services, housing industry, and skilled trades, who provide services for the most self-determined aging possible in the home environment.</p> Study design and methods <p>In the context of a&#xa0;quasi-experimental design, the training “experiencing aging” with the age simulation suit MAX (<i>Modular Age simulation suit eXtra</i>) was analyzed and compared with alternative intervention forms—passive simulation and pure knowledge transfer.</p> Results <p>The study included 543 participants and evaluated the effects of interventions on emotional, cognitive, and motivational components of sensitization. The results show that active age simulation with the MAX suit contributes significantly to the short-term increase in sensitization, especially in the areas of empathy and understanding of age-related limitations. Although the motivational effects were less sustainable, an effect above the control level was still detectable four weeks after the intervention. The effect was independent of the participants’ professional affiliation and, thus, underscores the cross-professional relevance of the approach. At the same time, the study provides practical recommendations for structuring further training and particularly highlights the importance of experience-oriented learning methods.</p> Discussion <p>Methodological limitations such as unequal group sizes and limited validation of the measuring instrument are named as limitations. The results confirm the effectiveness of age simulations in raising awareness of age-related changes and demonstrate their potential for competence development in the context of age-appropriate services.</p> Conclusion <p>Further research should particularly address the long-term effect and additional target groups, as well as the integration of digital simulation technologies, in order to unlock new potentials for shaping demographic change.</p>

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Sensibilisierung für altersbedingte Veränderungen durch Alterssimulation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月12日

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  • Danny Rüffert,
  • Tom Schaal,
  • Angelika C. Bullinger-Hoffmann

摘要

Background and objectives

Against the background of demographic change and the increasing number of older people in Germany, there is a growing need for professionals who have the skills to deal with age-related changes—far beyond the health and care sector. The present work addresses the research deficit regarding the effect of age simulations on the sensitization of cross-professional actors, especially from social services, housing industry, and skilled trades, who provide services for the most self-determined aging possible in the home environment.

Study design and methods

In the context of a quasi-experimental design, the training “experiencing aging” with the age simulation suit MAX (Modular Age simulation suit eXtra) was analyzed and compared with alternative intervention forms—passive simulation and pure knowledge transfer.

Results

The study included 543 participants and evaluated the effects of interventions on emotional, cognitive, and motivational components of sensitization. The results show that active age simulation with the MAX suit contributes significantly to the short-term increase in sensitization, especially in the areas of empathy and understanding of age-related limitations. Although the motivational effects were less sustainable, an effect above the control level was still detectable four weeks after the intervention. The effect was independent of the participants’ professional affiliation and, thus, underscores the cross-professional relevance of the approach. At the same time, the study provides practical recommendations for structuring further training and particularly highlights the importance of experience-oriented learning methods.

Discussion

Methodological limitations such as unequal group sizes and limited validation of the measuring instrument are named as limitations. The results confirm the effectiveness of age simulations in raising awareness of age-related changes and demonstrate their potential for competence development in the context of age-appropriate services.

Conclusion

Further research should particularly address the long-term effect and additional target groups, as well as the integration of digital simulation technologies, in order to unlock new potentials for shaping demographic change.