Spatial Aging and Navigation
This line of research investigates what changes in navigation behavior and related spatial abilities transpire across the lifespan and how this ‘spatial aging’ effects performance on common navigation tasks (e.g., driving, wayfinding, etc), independence, and quality of life for older adults. Our results have demonstrated less accurate spatial updating abilities after both visual and haptic learning of multi-target arrays in older adults compared to their younger peers, suggesting general age-related declines in spatial performance. In addition to studying spatial aging across modalities, instead of just visual learning, this research is novel as it aims to use the results to develop technological solutions. For instance, we are interested in spatial gerontechnologies and compensatory augmentations to assist older adults with environmental awareness and safe and independent navigation.
Relevant Citations:
1. Kalia, A., Legge, G.E., & Giudice, N.A. (2008). Learning building layouts with non-geometric visual information: The effects of visual impairment and age. Perception. 37(11), 1677-1699.
2. Giudice, N.A., Bennett, C.R., Klatzky, R.L., and Loomis, J.M. (in press). Updating of haptic arrays across the lifespan. Experimental Aging Research.
3. Bennett, C.R., Corey, R.R., Giudice, U., and Giudice, N.A. (2016). Immersive virtual reality simulation as a tool for aging and driving research. In J. Zhou & G. Salvendy (Eds.), Proceedings of the Second International Conference of Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population (ITAP), Part of HCI International 2016. Toronto, CA. July 17-22 (pp. 377-385). Springer International.
4. Bennett, C.R. and Giudice, N.A. (2016). Cognitive map decay in older adults: Evaluation using virtual reality driving simulation. Spatial Cognition 2016 conference. Aug 2-5, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Complete List of Published Work:
E-pubs at: https://umaine.edu/vemi/publications/
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jD95I7EAAAAJ