CHALLENGE
Many elderly people feel lonely and many do not get out for a walk every day. This reduces their quality of life and state of health.

Elderly people’s motivation to go for a walk every day is often connected with the need to shop for groceries. How – with the aid of technology – can we improve shopping trips and turn them into a better experience for the elderly who use a walker?

FINDINGS
Seniors will happily adapt to new technology if it makes sense and is user-friendly.

The basket on a walker has limitations, e.g. there is no room for large items such as rolls of kitchen paper or cereal packets, and everyone can see if the purchases include dental plate cleaner or nappies.

Shopping schemes generate and support social relationships – when people shop together, they also drink coffee together or cook together.

SOLUTION
By involving users, the project examines how technology used for interaction affects a shopping trip involving a walker. A new shopping bag walker – a walker with a basket, optimised for shopping – was designed and equipped with positioning technology, so one walker knows where another walker is.
Using communication technology, the elderly can communicate with each other regardless of whether they are out walking or sitting in their room. This means that a user who, e.g., is sitting at home and realises that she needs milk can contact another user who is out shopping.
This has resulted in greater interaction among the elderly. For example, drinking a cup of coffee together while on a joint shopping trip has become a regular activity.

Design AKP Design
Project partners Municipality of Copenhagen, IT University, Danish School of Design and others
Project support Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority