Training Older Adult Simulated Participants for Role Portrayal

This chapter builds on established practices of SP (simulated participant) training, suggesting specific considerations when training older adult SPs for role portrayal. As SPs age, physical, sensory, and cognitive changes, as well as changes in health history and life transitions, may affect their involvement in simulation. Older adult SPs are valuable members of the simulation team, and it is important for SP educators to incorporate inclusive, collaborative, and supportive training practices to help them succeed. Universal Design provides an important lens for creating an inclusive approach to training that may benefit SPs with different physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities—by considering how and when to provide training materials and how to schedule and organize training, ensuring frequent breaks, debriefing post-simulation, and evaluating SPs’ experiences. These efforts may enable and empower older adult SPs to contribute to and find value in this work and provide safe, effective, and authentic role-play for learners.