Findings

Trend analysis

The first deliverable for the ‘Built and technological environment’ research field is an innovation prospect report (PDF, 1.8MB) which identifies and analyses innovative information and communication technologies, mobility and housing trends in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, to understand the needs of the elderly.

Research regarding built and technological environments has gained impact on the European level. The research field combines multiple approaches, topics and concepts. This report focuses on three of them: information and communication technologies (ICT), housing and mobility. Each of these areas can be seen as equally important within ageing societies as each contributes to the concept of active and healthy ageing in its own way: older persons want to stay connected, spend life in their own homes as long as possible and participate in society.

This report aims at developing a foundation for the next steps of work package 7. For each of the three areas (ICT, housing, mobility) trends and recent developments were identified. Furthermore, it is the goal to define the baseline for each of the five focus-countries (Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom).

The five focus-countries perform very differently in terms of innovation ‘readiness’, implementation and diffusion. The same is true with respect to the needs of the elderly. While ICT, housing and mobility play an important role in the context of active and healthy ageing, holistic approaches are rare.

Age-appropriate cars

The second deliverable this research field is a report on elderly drivers (PDF, 1MB) which explores the construction and design of age-appropriated cars and driving assistant-systems.

The car is the main mode of transport even in old age. So the desire to preserve the mobility by car is very high. Maintaining mobility increases the quality of life and allows an autonomous way of life.

Two topics are examined from the point of view of elderly drivers. First, the requirements and needs of drivers in the age of 70–90 years concerning the construction of cars and a comfortable and safe driving. Second, to find out which driving assistant-systems are useful for elderly drivers to make driving in old age safer and more comfortable.

A cross-sectional online questionnaire study with N=1161 was conducted. It is necessary to compensate for the age-related functional limitations through modifications of the vehicle and the use of driving assistant-systems. For example, the seating position is the biggest obstacle when getting in and out of the car and the peripheral and rear vision is limited primarily by the pillars. As most important for improving security named by the participants were an ’emergency braking system’ (67.6%), a ‘parking assistant’ (50.9%) and a ‘navigation system’ (44,4%).

You can watch a short television feature on this research into age-appropriate cars (German language).

Good practice examples

The third deliverable is a set of case studies of good practice examples (PDF, 2.7MB) from the perspective of five European countries – Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. Good practice cases show possibilities to overcome challenges and tackle barriers. Moreover, examples from other projects and initiatives can help to avoid mistakes, provide vivid inputs for the design of new projects and offer learning opportunities.

The diffusion of innovative and promising approaches is very low compared to the political and social demands and the efforts that have been put into R&D. The reasons for this are versatile and have been highlighted in the previous deliverable. Case studies of good practice examples offer a practical perspective on prevailing challenges. The studies were identified using templates which have been developed on basis of the innovation prospect report (the first deliverable).

This deliverable focuses on analysing good practice examples to provide insights into successful projects in different European member states. The focus is on overcoming barriers that affect the adoption, implementation and diffusion of products and services in the areas of ICT, housing and mobility. The case studies reflect the results of the previous tasks. Moreover, they show approaches that can be implemented in existing or future projects and initiatives.

In total we analysed 13 good practice examples. The results provide feedback on the Innovation Prospect Report and were integrated into the next activities of the research field. The case studies indicate that the dominant barriers and challenges are comparable in each of the five countries.

Trend reports / Policy and business recommendations

This report (PDF, 1.2MB) is the final deliverable of this research field (work package 7). Based on the previous findings (literature analysis, good practice analysis and a Delphi-survey), current trends in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) for older persons are summarised and policy recommendations provided.

This deliverable gives an analysis of solutions to the lack of diffusion of innovative products and services for older persons in the area of ICT. Barriers to the adoption, implementation and diffusion of ICT-based products and services were identified, discussed and rated with the overall aim of providing recommendations for practitioners.

Final analysis based on the Delphi-survey identifies barriers to the adoption, implementation and diffusion of ICT-based products and services for older persons.

Trend analysis

MoPAct Policy Brief 6 – The built and technological environment (PDF, 1MB)