MIT Researchers Talk Aging and A.G.N.E.S. in Wayland

The Age Lab at the Massachusetts Insititute of Technology has made quite the discovery: Young adults complain more than senior adults.

That may not sound like much, but it is a key reason for the success of A.G.N.E.S., the Age Lab's unique suit designed to allow the wearer to experience common physical ailments and limitations experienced by older adults. 

A.G.N.E.S. stands for "Age Gain Now Empathy System," and it's allowing researchers at the MIT Age Lab to learn more about how senior adults experience everything from a trip to the supermarket, to riding public transit to simply walking up and down stairs.

During a Wayland Council on Aging Brown Bag Series talk this week, Dick Myrick, a research fellow at the Age Lab, talked with guests about the work of the Age Lab and Research Assistant Angelina Gennis, clad in A.G.N.E.S., joined him to talk specifically about that "device of torture."

Gennis explained that, among other things, A.G.N.E.S. uses bungee cords to compress the spine, foam-covered shoes to impact balance, bands that reduce the range of motion in the arms and legs, and goggles that mimic loss of eyesight.

“Not everyone ends up as A.G.N.E.S," Gennis said. "A.G.N.E.S. is definitely on the less mobile end of the spectrum … something that people can avoid through exercise and flexibility.”

Even if extreme, Gennis said, A.G.N.E.S is helping researchers better understand what older adults experience and, more importantly, how to improve their quality of life.

Myrick explained that the purpose of the MIT Age Lab is to conduct research that isn't restricted to academic papers, but that "has an impact" on quality of life.

The importance of driving safely and aging in place are two topics on which Myrick is currently working. He said the issues of aging within the American population are coming "with the speed of a hurricane" as Baby Boomers are reaching senior adulthood.

The work of the Age Lab requires help from Boston-area volunteers who are willing to participate in a variety of ways including operating the Age Lab driving simulator, participating in surveys or preparing a meal at home, among other things.

More information about volunteering is available on the MIT Age Lab website.