How to develop a social technology for older adults in China to help them with MOBILITY and ADLs?

Harvard Move Lab- Supported by the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute in Nanjing
My role: Lead User Researcher
Date: April 2021- Jul 2022

Research Method

User interviews

Interviewed 33 users:

  • 18 caregivers

  • 10 older adults

  • 5 stakeholders Remote

interviews:

  • Video calls via WeChat

    Interviews in Chinese:

  • Having translator to help with communication

Workshop

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

Literature review

Reviewed more than 40 articles about aging, Fear of Falling, technologies for older adults, gamification in rehabilitation, and frailty evaluation.

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

Research Findings

EXERCISE & REHABILITATION

“Before taking care of my husband, I used to play basketball... …but after his death, I no longer play as I feel my body is not strong anymore.”

MOVING DISABLED ELDERS

8% of adults older >80 in China: NOT able to use the restroom INDEPENDENTLY*

FEAR OF FALLING

“After I broke my leg, my son accompanied me out for walking…
…I was afraid that I could not stand firmly; he held my waist to help me so that I can do it slowly.”

CLEANING DISABLED ELDERS

“He didn’t want anybody else, even his son to help him with bathroom things.”

CLIMBING STAIRS

In Shanghai, 220,000 residential buildings (+6 floors): Do NOT have elevators & 70% of their residents are older adults**

Ideation

Future Project 1:

(The storyboard for one of the concepts to help caregivers with moving older adults.)

Future Project 2:

(Muscle Health Evaluation)

Users can track their activities through the app.

Physical therapists can send recommendations to older adults based on the evaluation.

Physical therapists can track older adults’ activities and evaluate them.

Future Project 3:

(Strength Training App)

Here’s the app that they can track all of their clients. And elderly also have a similar app to track their exercise.

Physical therapists can track older adults’ activities and evaluate them.

WurQ
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