Collaborative Aging: Seniors’ Advisory Group Meeting
HLOs: 
Article by: Zaid Arif (LinkedIn) & Ilyas Abdi (LinkedIn)
Exploring Aging, Accessibility, and Innovation: What We Learned from Our Class Trip
Our Product Management class took a trip to Humber Valley United Church, and it wasn’t the kind of field experience we expected. Instead of visiting a company or a tech space, we spent the day with seniors from the community. Walking into
the church hall with Professor Hanadi and our classmates, the space felt warm and welcoming. It didn’t feel like a typical school trip and it felt like a genuine exchange across generations.
Our guest speaker, Sue Lantz, talked about aging and accessibility in a simple but powerful way. She shared a quote that stayed with both of us: “Often to accept help is what allows you to be independent.”
It made us rethink what independence really means. Needing support isn’t losing control, sometimes it’s the thing that keeps people living the way they want.
What Seniors Shared with Us
Talking directly with the seniors was honestly the most meaningful part. They opened up about the challenges they face, like wanting to stay in their own homes but struggling with designs that don’t consider aging. Some talked about feeling ignored by developers and policymakers. Others spoke about loneliness and the emotional weight of asking for help. Hearing these stories made us realize how often older adults are overlooked in everyday decisions.
Why This Matters For Product Management
Before this trip, we mostly thought about product management in terms of technology, features, and trends. But this experience shifted our mindset. It showed us that meaningful innovation starts with listening, not just to “users,” but to people who have lived through different stages of life. Designing for the future means thinking about everyone, including older adults who are rarely included in product
conversations.
This trip wasn’t just another assignment. It gave us a new way of looking at aging, accessibility, and the role of design. We left understanding that good products support dignity, connection, and independence. And as future product leaders, we want to build with empathy, not just efficiency.
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