Transcript Gerontechnology (GT) Impact Matrix

Basics of Gerontechnology
Herman Bouma
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Overview GT Basics
Definition
Interdisciplinary: Gerontology & Technology
Demography: spread, not average
Inclusive design; normalisation
Learning; situated learning; motivation
Generations; technology generation
Succesful ageing; 3rd age & 4th age; restrictions
GT Impact Matrix: Impacts & domains of life
Matrix cells; recent technology
GT History; Literature
Conclusions for phd research
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Gerontechnology: definition
the study of technology and aging
for ensuring an optimal technological
environment
of all aging and old people
up to a high age
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GT: Interdiscipline
Gerontechnology is interdisciplinary between
gerontology disciplines and technology
disciplines
Methods are often discipline-specific
Few professionals are knowledgeable in both
fields: collaboration
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Gerontechnology Interdiscipline Matrix
Technology Disciplines
Gerontology
Disciplines
Architecture Information &
Communication
& Building
Mechatronics
& Robotics
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Industrial
Design
Biology
Physiology
Psychology
Social Psychology
Sociology
Demography
Medicine
Rehabilitation
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Why GT?
Gerontechnology has emerged because of the
combination of:
demographic increase of aging people
rapid evolution of technological environments
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GT: Demography
• Above 65 yrs rising to 25% of population
• Balance women and men (age dependent)
• Diversity of people increases with age:
health (level, restrictions, depression,..)
family (single, spouse, children,..)
finances (rich, moderate pension, poor)
housing (suitability, neighbours,…)
skills (working experience, computer,.)
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Average Fallacy (ergonomics)
If one designs for ‘the average person’
characterized by averages of different
variables, one designs for nobody.
(‘the average person does not exist’)
Rather, spread (s.d.) should guide the design.
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Inclusive design
Design of products or services that
includes as many users as possible:
directed at the weaker users.
User participation essential.
(design for all, universal design)
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Normalisation/Standardisation
Normalisation: products of different brands
and products of different functionality share
certain relevant properties (e.g. user interface);
standardisation makes this mandatory within
defined limits (international standardization
committees)
This is of great value for all users and for all
ageing users in particular, because of
generalisation of usage.
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Learning
Learning is life-long (unless disease)
types of learning are age-dependent
Situated learning is learning while doing
aided by suitable on-line instruction
requires ‘smart’ instruction.
suitable for ageing people
Unlearning is impossible (unlike forgetting)
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Motivation for using/not-using technology
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Insight in functionality (impact matrix)
Balance of benefits and costs
Following friends and relatives (mimicry)
External persuasion (media)
For unfamiliar technology:
– Inclination for exploration
– Restrain and uncertainty of control
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Generation (sociology)
Birth cohorts of consecutive years that have
lived through the same important life
experiences in society (e.g. economic
depression, presence of computers,…
……….)
In particular the years until the age of 30
are decisive (formative years)
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Technology generation
Generation that has grown up in a certain
important technological environment (unable
to forget)
(best example: 3 types of user interface:
mechanical up to 1950, electro-mechanical up
to 1985, layered menu now)
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Successful aging
• Maintain physical, cognitive, and social
activities
• Live an independent life of one’s own
choice
• Quality of Life (QoL): healthy, daily joy,
dignity, autonomy, participation in family
and in society
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Third age and Fourth age
Third age of ageing people is defined as
period with only minor physical and
psychological restrictions and living an
independent life
Fourth age of ageing people is defined as
period of frailty and largely dependent on care
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Physical and Psychological restrictions
Mobility: walking; equilibrium
Sensory: vision (acuity, field of view)
hearing (noisy environments, speech;
directional hearing)
Motor: trembling (writing; fine motor skills)
declining force
Memory: short term-, working-, prospective- ,
long term-)
Multiple tasks: changing more difficult
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GT: Five domains of daily life
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Health and Self-esteem
Housing and Daily living
Mobility and Transport
Communication and Information
Work and Leisure
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GT: Four goals
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Enhancement and Satisfaction
Prevention and Engagement
Compensation and Assistance
Care Support and Organisation
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Gerontechnology (GT) Impact
Matrix
Taxonomy of what goals to be served
by technology for the main life
domains of aging people
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Gerontechnology Impact matrix
Life Domain
Health &
Housing &
Self-esteem Daily living
Mobility &
Transport
Communication
& Governance
Work &
Leisure
Enhancement
& Satisfaction
Telemedicine
Internet
GPS navigation
Info publ.transp
Mobile phone
Internet
Digital.
camera
Internet
Prevention &
Engagement
Healthy diet Smart ventil.
Home trainer Safety illumin.
Car automation
Traffic info
Video Links
Focussed
lighting
Compensation
& Assistance
Passive
alarms
Rollator/walker
Battery
wheelchair
Hearing Aids
Power
tools
Robot pet
Powered lifting
Care Networks
Video links
Robots
Goal
Wireless/remote
(e.g.phone)
Smart IADL
Care support& Smart intake Electronic keys
Control-PDA
Organisation
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Recent Technology
and its infrastructure
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Internet: e.g. e-mail; search machines; weblogs
Mobile phone; sms
Digital camera, digital photography
Navigation tools (GSM)
Games
Robots
Smart products and systems (adaptive)
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Brief history of Gerontechnology
Before 1990: Technology and ageing (ergonomics;
aids for the handicapped)
International congresses 1991 Eindhoven; 1996
Helsinki;1999 Munich; 2002 Miami; 2005 Nagoya;
2008 Pisa
International Society for Gerontechnology 1997+
Gerontechnology quarterly journal 2001+
ISG discussion site 2004+
Masterclasses 2006 Eindhoven, 2007?, 2008 Pisa
Regional chapters 2006+ Japan; 2007+ Netherlands
/Flandres
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GT Community and its literature
• International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG)
www.gerontechnology.info
• Discussion site: [email protected] from Lawrence
Normie
[[email protected]]
• Its literature:
• Bouma, Graafmans (eds). Gerontechnology (1992)
• Graafmans, Taipale, Charness (eds): Gerontechnology: A sustainable
Investment in the Future (1998)
• Harrington, Harrington (eds) Gerontechnology: Why and How (2000)
• Pieper, Vaarama, Fozard(eds)Gerontechnology:3rd Millennium(2002)
• GERONTECHNOLOGY Quarterly Journal (Since 2001/2002)
Presently: volume 6 (2007) Website www.gerontechjournal.net
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Conclusion for phd research
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Check GT Basics regularly
Make GT goals explicit
Collaborate with other disciplines
Situate results in real environment
Become fluent in English
Keep digesting relevant literature
Be part of GT community
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