Ageing by Design:
A set of insights focus on 50+ community
frog design and AARP have collaborated to introduce an Innovation Action Map to guide the broader community to create meaningful user-focused products and services for the 50-plus market in US, 2014. In 2015, frog Shanghai started ethnographic researches of the life experiences and care ecosystems of seniors and caregivers, so as to understand China 50-plus community.
My role in this project
My role as design researcher in this project involved the ethnographic research. I worked in a 3-people research team. We interviewed seniors, their caregivers and three experts from related service providers. After data synthesis, I worked alongside with another strategist to generate insights and design opportunities.
Research process and methodology
To improve for seniors and their caregivers' life, we need to have a deeper understanding of their daily routines. As follow are four types of research methodologies we have used.
1. Hypothesis
We started our research with a simple hypothesis, governed by a traditional concept; seniors expect their children to be their primary caregiver.
2. But the supported network we found from the research is ...
In many cases, the senior is supported by a network of people and places and children are only a part of it.
3. Then we envolved the framework into this...
At a closer look we uncovered that in many cases, family members are managing aspects of daily life such as money matters and other decisions.
Insights and opportunities
Taking the western model east...
From the research in US, there are 4 core needs were identified. We want to see how these needs are translated in China.
Help me stay
Identity
With regard to IDENTITY, we found that both caregivers and Seniors readily accept their new roles, but still need support for the transition.
Social
Help me stay engaged
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS within and outside the family contribute to wellbeing. The challenge is to facilitate relationships in increasingly distributed families.
Routine
Help me stay in control
We discovered hidden obstacles for effective communication during DAILY LIVES AND ROUTINES. Seniors were often hesitant to share their struggles in fear of burdening caregivers.
Vitality
Help me stay in mentally & physically fit
We chose to reframe this need to VITALITY RATHER THAN ACTIVITY, as we found the Chinese perspective of wellness takes a more holistic approach to protect and maintain health.