In DigitalWell's case "More accessible welfare technology", the elderly have expressed their challenges and needs. In a digital workshop, the participants focused on how safety-creating digital technology should really be able to reach users.
How could a digital solution make welfare technology more accessible and thus create a safer life for our elderly? That was the main question when DigitalWell, led by Marika Martin, organized a digital workshop with Region Dalarna. The workshop attracted around 30 participants – including a class from Soltorgsgymnasiet in Borlänge.
Among other things, the participants had to test putting needs and measures together with different technologies, to see what new ideas it could create. They also had to collect the most important aspects to try to solve the basic question. Some keys that were raised were the need to create information channels for digital technology to feel safe for users, as well as places and contact surfaces where several users can gather.
Must be intuitive
Karl Ecström, from the technology consulting company tretton37, also believes that the technology needs to be intuitive:
- The technology that is easiest to use is the one that will work.
Previous surveys in DigitalWell's case "More accessible welfare technology" among the target group have shown that the elderly also like to have personal contact regarding technical solutions. Another wish is that the technology should be individually adapted and available when you want.
But the challenge is not just about digital solutions being designed for and reaching the elderly. Åsa Bergkvist, chairman of the health and care board in Ludvika, also believes that there is a political fear associated with the subject.
- There is sometimes a preconceived notion that welfare technology leads to us being able to save on employees, not on how the technology can increase freedom for the individual, she says.
National need
The insights from the workshop will now be processed to be put into practice.
- Now we will compile the ideas that have emerged. This is an important topic, not only for us in Dalarna, but also nationally and internationally. Safety-creating technology is necessary with a rapidly growing proportion of elderly people in the population, so now we have to boil this down to really concrete solutions that are useful, said Katarina Nordin Kajsblad, business developer in Region Dalarna.
