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DEVELOPING A USER-CENTRED APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE THE USE MOBILE PHONES AMONG OLDER PEOPLE
Published on 09 August 2018
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
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About this good practice
Since old age often implies ailing health and social isolation, societies could embrace the advances in ICTs to enhance social integration, health and active ageing. However, the complexity and novelty of ICTs threaten many older people with exclusion from their use. Older people could be offered e-services, which would improve their quality of life, if based on age friendly design.
This project developed an original iterative and mixed-methods methodological approach to design, develop and implement consumer technologies for older people, which is based on principles of user-centered design, participation and integration. This robust model was titled „three stages of user involvement “ and was involving end users – older adults and informal carers – in three stages of the research and innovation process: (1) eliciting user needs and generating design ideas; (2) evaluating selected mobile application in lab setting and real environment and generating redesign ideas; and (3) evaluating redesign ideas. The project was closely connected to the home care through studying the ATs (Assistive Technologies) integrated in smartphones that can improve the quality of life of older adults and enable them to live in their own homes as independent and as long as possible.
The project was funded by Slovenian Research Agency and Simobil, second largest telecommunication operator in Slovenia. The main target group of the project were older adults and informal carers.
This project developed an original iterative and mixed-methods methodological approach to design, develop and implement consumer technologies for older people, which is based on principles of user-centered design, participation and integration. This robust model was titled „three stages of user involvement “ and was involving end users – older adults and informal carers – in three stages of the research and innovation process: (1) eliciting user needs and generating design ideas; (2) evaluating selected mobile application in lab setting and real environment and generating redesign ideas; and (3) evaluating redesign ideas. The project was closely connected to the home care through studying the ATs (Assistive Technologies) integrated in smartphones that can improve the quality of life of older adults and enable them to live in their own homes as independent and as long as possible.
The project was funded by Slovenian Research Agency and Simobil, second largest telecommunication operator in Slovenia. The main target group of the project were older adults and informal carers.
Resources needed
The overall budget for the project was 200 000 EUR. Budget given by the Slovenian Research Agency was 150.000 €, whereas budget given by Si.mobil (now A1) was 50.000 €.
Evidence of success
Direct impact for co-funding organization was provided on the basis of results of segmentation of older (potential) users of mobile services, which industry erroneously treats as a homogenous group. Accordingly, it was able to respond to their needs by providing them with tailored mobile phone services. Mobile operator professionally tested 3 launchers.
Methodological approach could be used by businesses and public authorities when they like to test services designed for older people.
Methodological approach could be used by businesses and public authorities when they like to test services designed for older people.
Potential for learning or transfer
The project introduces an innovative methodical approach comprehensively explaining the relationship between the socio-psychological needs of older people and their technology design preferences. The model enables a holistic conceptual link between ageing well and acceptance of mobile applications among older people. Innovativeness of the project as a whole lies in an user-focused, participative, iterative, context-aware, mixed-methods and age-friendly methodological approach for studying the needs, use, usability and benefits related to mobile phones. This methodological approach is quite robust and could thus be applied by other companies (with research departments or outsourced research agencies) and researchers. It can be applied on various fields, in various projects, and used among designers, developers and/or ICT-based services providers. It can have a direct impact in terms of financial effect on the health and social security system by complementing their function.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
Contact
Project manager