How much influence do the elderly really have over their housing - and can digital tools increase their self-determination? That was the main question in a digital 5 day design sprint that was carried out last week.
The social challenge surrounding housing for the elderly is great. Currently, around 237,000 people over 65 have home care, and more and more elderly people are staying at home in their old age. Although many older people want to stay at home, they often lack the information to be involved in important decisions concerning their own lives.
– When it comes to older people's opportunity to participate in their own care, Sweden has worse results than other comparable countries. There is a risk that decisions are made by other people, or at a late stage when the health is already very impaired. We are looking to capture needs early, long before one is faced with having to move, says Susanna Nordin, senior lecturer in nursing at the University of Dalarna, and one of the researchers who were with the sprint.
Part of a research project
The main question for the sprint was: How can a digital solution be designed to optimize self-determination and decision-making regarding the housing situation of older people? The question and the sprint are part of the international research project Coordinates.
During an intensive week, Marika Martin, process manager in DigitalWell Arena, led 20 participants divided into four different groups. Among the participants were both companies, active in home care, interest organizations - and of course also pensioners.
- They were incredibly committed and we saw early on how the groups built a good cohesion with different perspectives, where they learned from each other, says Marika Martin.
Initially, there was a discussion about what opportunities the elderly really have to make independent decisions about their housing. It is rooted, for example, in the fact that many municipalities lack places in nursing homes.
- I think it opened up the question of whether you can really decide for yourself. The focus on the obstacles dropped during the process, and there was also less focus on the technology and more on the needs, says Marika Martin.
A rapid design process then took place. From the initial needs phase to idea generation, development and prototype building. Independent work was interspersed with joint activities, where the participants were helped to move forward via tasks, interim goals and question sessions. During the sprint there was also the opportunity to test digital tools, such as Miro and Figma.
Four prototypes were tested
At the end of the week, four prototypes were ready to be tested by a user group. From a social platform where the elderly can meet to a service that provides everyday support to stay longer at home. Several of the ideas also connected to the need to provide a more integrated picture of alternatives and opportunities in housing matters.
Marika Martin is impressed by both the initiative and the result. In summary, she thinks that the experience of the sprint was extremely positive:
- The sprint created the conditions to be able to dive deep into a challenge on Monday, to test concepts with users on Friday. There are many valuable lessons and insights in only five days, which will surely contribute a lot to the continued work.
5 day design sprint is a collaboration between DigitalWell, Högskolan Dalarna, Region Dalarna and Dalarna Science Park. It is also part of the research project Coordinates, which will follow up how the participants experienced the working method.
