EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 1 of 12 Older Users Perspectives on Mobility-Related Assistive Technology Research an exploratory study undertaken at Age Concern Institute of Gerontology, Anthea Tinker & Claudine McCreadie and Centre of Rehabilitation Engineering Alan Turner-Smith & Philip Blake Kings College London EQUAL

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 2 of 12 Summary l The Background l The Challenge l Study design l Presenting the Problem l Emerging Themes – Problems & Solutions l Next stages in this research

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 3 of 12 l Mobility-related problems increase with age l Engineering help is at hand l New technology needs to be wanted l Older people have significant views. The Background

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 4 of 12 The Challenge: To produce Assistive Technology that is attractive to older people, that will be used by them, and that will promote their mobility.

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 5 of 12 NOW Future Study design l Test if older people can identify and describe mobility-related problems they encounter. ÔReview previous research ÔConduct focus group discussions l Involve postgraduate engineering students Ôto take users views into account Ôto understand needs of older people. l Test if older people can suggest ideas to be addressed by assistive technology research. l Use these views to plan potential R & D. l Obtain older peoples responses to these plans.

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 6 of 12 Presenting the Problem Scenarios for focus group discussion were created by merging coded themes from ÔThe International Classification of Functioning and Disability: WHO ICIDH-2. u Codes for mobility-related activities u ÔScales for disability used by the Office for Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) ÔEASYcare Elderly Assessment System u Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing u

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 7 of 12 Scenarios l Scenario and pictures presented that show: l Each member selected 3 most critical pictures l Open discussion on problems and solutions

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 8 of 12 Focus Groups l Research Team: ÔSocial Scientist: facilitator ÔEngineers: resource; note taker; reflection(student) l Focus groups: ÔPILOT: Age Concern, Islington u mobility problems ÔUniversity of the Third Age (U3A), Design Group u mobile and actively thinking about design ÔAge Concern, Bexley Heath u severe mobility problems ÔHertfordshire Health Promotion Group and Lister Day Hospital, Stevenage. u severe mobility problems

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 9 of 12 Emerging Themes – Problems & Solutions l Activity ÔStairs ÔReaching & Bending ÔOthers u Getting in and out of bed, chairs, and cars u Uneven surfaces u Carrying things u Opening doors l Participation ÔInformation issues ÔAttitudes & Fears ÔService issues

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 10 of 12 Activities l Stairs ÔGrip rails to be small enough to hold and non-slip ÔSteps to be uniform, shallow, and well-lit l Reaching & Bending ÔNo kneeling after hip operation ÔCannot reach high or into deep cupboards ÔFrightened or unsteady on steps without rail ÔKitchens have shelves, cupboards, and oven at wrong height l Others ÔGetting in and out of bed, chairs, and cars ÔUneven surfaces ÔCarrying things ÔOpening doors

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 11 of 12 Participation l Information issues ÔWe cannot get out to see and buy these things ÔWeve seen some catalogues, but everything is expensive ÔWe need to talk to each other about tricks and gadgets. l Attitudes & Fears ÔThe key thing is to keep our independence ÔIm scared of falling, hurting myself ÔStores aimed at the disabled – we dont want to go in there! ÔI really appreciate … taking me out. l Service issues ÔSome get want they need immediately, some wait for months or years ÔWhy should I pay £3,000 when I might not live long?

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 12 of 12 Next stages in this research l Use these views to plan potential R & D ÔAnalyse records of group discussions ÔCollate ideas from students ÔCompare existing solutions from literature ÔCreate models of potential solutions that might be possible given further engineering research. l Obtain older peoples responses to these plans. ÔPresent the models in follow-up focus groups ÔAnalyse records of group discussions

EPSRC Equal 00 CoRE Page 13 of 12 Thanks for watching! We would be very glad to receive your comments. Please contact