Design ahead

Design ahead: Design for an ageing population

We have an ageing population, but a reducing health and social care budget.  Increasingly individuals will be expected to self-purchase products and services that will allow them to live independently. This will provide a large ‘silver’ consumer market for products that are designed and priced appropriately.  Although there is some awareness amongst industry of this market opportunity, there is significant scope for more inclusive design of mainstream products that enhance independent livening or support specific living tasks and activities.

KT EQUAL is supporting this event hosted by ALAN (Assisted Living Action Network) to raise awareness of the scale of the market opportunity; explore the needs of this population; how they are translated into design requirements to drive product innovation; and what kinds of design tools and approaches can support design for an aging population. The event will bring together commercial partners, users and academics.

The programme can be found here.

Please find presentations below;

Professor Patrick Jordan - What is the scale of the change that is taking place, what are the drivers and what are the implications?

Craig Wightman - Working with a design agency

David Silver - Less state, more self-funding - the changing face of the AT market in tough economic times

Ian Rutter - Barriers and misconceptions - the corporate world and the 50+ consumer

Dr Pat Langdon - Making a difference with inclusive design

Tim Ellis - MALT – Mainstreaming Assisted Living Technology

Dr Hazel Boyd - Designing accessible technology for people living with dementia

Dr Praminda Caleb-Solly - Designing to support active ageing: Challenges and opportunities from the MOBISERV project