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Exploring the Social Value of Age-Friendly Museum Design: Promoting an Elderly-Friendly Society Through Digital Technology and Community Collaboration



Author(s)

ZHANG Mengdi

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2177/2025.06.008

Nanjing Normal University of Special Education, Nanjing, China

As global populations age rapidly, cultural institutions face growing demands to become inclusive, therapeutic, and intellectually stimulating spaces for older adults. Museums, traditionally perceived as passive repositories of knowledge, are increasingly reimagined as active agents of social inclusion, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning for elderly visitors. This study explores the social value of age-friendly museum design, with a particular emphasis on digital technology and community collaboration as transformative tools. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from social gerontology, design theory, and museum studies, the research critically examines how digital tools such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive touchscreens can mitigate age-related cognitive and physical barriers. The case of the Nanjing Museum’s “Silver Age” program offers an empirical model, demonstrating how inclusive design—ranging from accessible transportation to quiet zones and community-driven events—can foster dignity, autonomy, and social connectivity among elderly participants. Furthermore, partnerships with senior organizations, adult education platforms, and health professionals show the potential of museums as hybrid spaces that merge culture with care. However, challenges remain: budget constraints, digital literacy gaps, and inconsistent implementation across institutions. The essay argues that age-friendly museums are not mere architectural adaptations but signify a broader ethical shift toward recognizing the elderly as active cultural agents. By centering older adults in design and programming, museums not only combat isolation and cognitive decline but also contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society. Ultimately, this research advocates for a paradigm where aging is not marginalization, but engagement—where museums become both mirrors and makers of an age-inclusive future.

age-friendly.museum, technology, community