Future Now
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Artifact from the Future: Aging In Place Toolkit
This Artifact from the Future is an example of products, services, and experiences that may play out in the future based on the forecast perspective DESIGN: The Personalization of Health Design from our 2013 Reworking Health: New Authorities in a Well-Being Economy research.
AGING IN PLACE TOOLKIT
WHAT:
Visiting the hospital for a broken hip wasn’t exactly how you had planned to spend your 82nd birthday. After this setback, you come across this ad in a magazine and wonder if it’s worth a try—your space could use some retrofitting and “interaction design” sounds intriguing. And you’re determined to stay in your home as long as possible. You go to their site to learn more and the benefits they promise are compelling: safety, mobility, even increased social interaction! You haven’t played with pipe cleaners in 60 years, but you’re determined to stay independent, so you order one. It looks like a great activity for your son and grandkids to do with you when they visit next week!
SO WHAT:
As the demand grows for “aging in place” solutions over the next decade, families and caregivers will use design thinking methods to create spaces and interactions that support the needs and preferences of everyone involved. The process is particularly well-suited to help with all of the unfamiliar scenarios and challenges that come with growing older. It will be important to equip individuals with these tools so that they feel empowered to help themselves and family members manage this transition with ease.
This Artifact from the Future is a snapshot of what might emerge if forecasts about the future materialize. It was developed as part of our 2013 Reworking Health: New Authorities in a Well-Being Economy research, which explored the new tools and resources that are challenging traditional roles of patients, consumers and providers and empowering new authorities to emerge and engage people in their health.
Like all of IFTF’s Artifacts from the Future, this image offers insights into future everyday lives and is intended to give you an immersive look at a possible future change.