ShopCommThe United Kingdom has an ageing population whose members experience significant life transitions as they grow older, for example, losing mobility due to deteriorating health. For these adults, digital technology has the potential to sustain their independence and improve their quality of life.
Research type:
My role:
Team: Garreth Tigwell, University of Dundee Christopher Norrie, University of Dundee Miriam Waite, University of Dundee Daniel Hwrron, University of Dundee |
Problem
Older adults are a growing segment of the population. Ageing contributes to life transitions accosted with lower mobility, which can contribute to difficulty shopping. Older adults have been seen to adopt technology in the pursuit of maintaining their independence and autonomy. |
Opportunity
Food Train is a service that helps older adults shop locally by ordering and delivering food. It is very limited in that it collects a paper list of groceries from customers requiring them to remember the brands and types of items they would like to purchase. The service can be modernised through technology to give greater control to customers. |
Research aims
We aimed to create a solution that would allow older adults to shop more freely and widely, gaining greater 'perceived control' over the experience. |
Lessons learned
Scenarios and personas can help older adults take a more active role in co-design sessions by displacing the design activity from designing for themselves to designing for those in need. |