As the population ages, the European Union (EU) seeks technological solutions that will be able to assist older adults in leading healthy, active, joyful and dignified lives. In its call to action the EU has also, namely through the Active Assisted Living Programme (AALP)1, encouraged the groups engaged in the development of these new solutions to involve end-users in the design process. Literature is profuse in examples of the application of human-centred design (HCD) principles, participatory design or co-creation with different types of end-users. On the other hand, it might be difficult for researchers and developers to find concentrated examples of, and reflexions on, the application of these methods and techniques with older adults.

Chapter Contents:

• 20.1 Introduction
• 20.2 Practicalities
• 20.2.1 Characteristics of old age
• 20.2.2 Recruitment and logistics
• 20.3 User research
• 20.4 Ideation
• 20.5 Testing
• 20.5.1 Short evaluation tests
• 20.5.2 Long-term trials and in-home testing
• 20.6 The design and research team
• 20.7 Summary of human-centred design methods and tools
• Acknowledgements
• References

Inspec keywords: recommender systems; handicapped aids

Other keywords: human centred design; older adults; recommendations; EU; European Union; HCD principles; active assisted living programme; AALP

Subjects: Information networks; Computer assistance for persons with handicaps