Research method:

I interviewed 33 users — 18 caregivers, 10 older adults, and 5 stakeholders. The interviews were conducted remotely via WeChat in Chinese, with the help of a translator.

I also organized a workshop and invited 9 experts with different backgrounds including gerontology, biomechanics, rehabilitation, economics, demography, technology, and others.
The workshop included 2 activities:

1. Brainstorm and categorize the biggest challenges to healthy aging in China,

2. Discuss the root causes and effects of selected challenges

Moreover, I reviewed more than 40 articles about aging, fear of falling, technologies for older adults, gamification in rehabilitation, and frailty evaluation.

• We collaborated with Hefei University of Technology, Aging department of Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), and Minzu University of China.

Research findings:

We focused on five key areas of aging in China:

1. Exercise & Rehabilitation: “Before taking care of my husband, I used to play basketball… but after his death, I no longer play. I feel my body isn’t strong anymore.”

2. Fear of Falling: “After I broke my leg, my son accompanied me on walks. I was afraid I couldn’t stand firmly. He held my waist so I could move slowly.”

3. Climbing Stairs: In Shanghai, over 220,000 residential buildings with six or more floors have no elevators, and 70% of their residents are older adults.

4. Moving Disabled Elders: About 8% of adults over 80 in China cannot use the restroom independently.

5. Cleaning Disabled Elders: “He didn’t want anyone — not even his son — to help him with bathroom tasks.”

Ideation:

We started with brainstorming different ideas in each section and rated them based on their feasibility, desirability, and viability.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/6849df8a3dabe50908c16035/91d193e3-8e72-436b-8fb2-2d4f1fdd16ad/Image.png?">

Future project 1:

This is the storyboard for one of the concepts to help caregivers with moving older adults.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/6849df8a3dabe50908c16035/c1e2d4e9-f70d-4c4f-9472-61de77e50d0f/Image+2.png?">

Future project 2:

Muscle Health Evaluation: A system combining a wearable sensor worn on the shank, a mobile app for elderly, and a web platform for therapists to assess muscle health and provide personalized exercise recommendations.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/6849df8a3dabe50908c16035/61a13ece-3475-4f53-ab18-88a62f92bb28/Image+3.png?">

Future project 3:

Strength Training App: A connected system that includes two wearable sensors — one worn on the wrist and one on the chest — along with a mobile app designed for older adults and a web platform for therapists to monitor progress and adjust training plans.

<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/6849df8a3dabe50908c16035/6781f772-276d-4e5c-ba92-b5cb6aa4a979/Elderly+-+14.png?">

• A PhD student from the first Future project developed a wearable device to assist caregivers in safely moving elderly individuals.

• A startup emerged from the third Future project, creating sensor technology to detect and track exercise movements.