11.K. Workshop: Involvement of Older People in Co-creation or Co-production of Health Promoting Community Services
Authors:   Organised by: University of Southern Denmark, Aalborg University (Denmark),   Chair persons: Charlotte Overgaard (Denmark), Kirsten Schultz Petersen (Denmark)
Published: October 2023

Reasons for the workshop

Involvement of older people in health promoting community services is widely used to promote healthy aging and mobilize citizens’ resources and resources from civil society to address the changes and complex challenges faced by municipalities in societies with aging populations. Co-creation and co-production of services are significant concepts in releasing this potential by involving core stakeholders as equal partners acknowledging their substantial contribution in the development and delivery of community services. The literature on involvement of older people is however sparse and it is thus important to explore the values but also possible drawbacks of such initiatives and adapt these to contextual logics embedded in the empirical field. The objective of the workshop is A) to share knowledge, raise questions and discuss the conceptualisation and application of the concepts of user involvement, co-production and co-creation targeting older people within health promoting community services. Also, it is to B) encourage critical reflection and a discussion about the values, challenges, the potential unintended negative consequences of involvement of older people, including those that live with frailty or vulnerabilities.

Added value

This workshop will present an overview of a large field of literature on involvement, co-production and co-creation and illustrate how researchers within health promotion among older people may interpret and use these concepts empirically. The joint presentations and discussion will combine theoretical concepts and practical examples and stimulate improved practices regarding involvement of older citizens in health promoting community services. Coherence between presentations and the workshop format: The presentations all revolve around the concepts of involvement, co-creation, and co-production in relation to health promoting community services targeting older people and offer empirical examples on how the concept has been applied in practice and the challenges that may emerge. The workshop will start with a short introduction and invitation of the participants to share their thoughts on its topic from the chair (5 min) followed by four 10-minute presentations. First, Egilstrød will clarify and discuss the theoretical concepts of co-creation and co-production of health promoting community services. This will be followed by Terkelsen who will share empirical insights and learning from co-crating of social activities with older people in senior village followed by Langersgaard who will share challenges and highlights from co-creation of community services targeting frail older people. Finally, Petersen will discuss on the current knowledge about the values but also potential unintended, negative consequences of involvement in community health services. In the final part of the workshop (15 min), the chair will introduce and moderate a general discussion of aim B with the audience.

Key messages

• User involvement, co-creation and co-production are often used without a clear definition or description of how it has been carried out and what has been obtained.

• Recruitment and involvement of older citizens are challenging and stronger awareness about how to improve the value and eliminate potential negative consequences is needed.