Short answer
Shift design focus from age-specific interventions to lifelong well-being strategies that are adaptable and person-centred.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- European Journal of Ageing (2023)
- Method
- Scoping Review
- Sample
- 79 experts
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Effective strategies for promoting healthy aging must encompass the entire lifespan and prioritize individual needs, rather than solely focusing on older age demographics. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in European Journal of Ageing. Using Scoping review with 79 experts, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Shift design focus from age-specific interventions to lifelong well-being strategies that are adaptable and person-centred.
Healthy Aging Strategies Require a Lifespan, Person-Centred Approach, Not Just Geriatric Focus
Effective strategies for promoting healthy aging must encompass the entire lifespan and prioritize individual needs, rather than solely focusing on older age demographics.
European Journal of Ageing · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Current literature disproportionately focuses on older age, neglecting younger population groups.
- 02Interprofessional approaches to healthy aging are promising but insufficiently described.
- 03A broad range of competences are needed, including person-centred communication, technology application, understanding of aging physiology and social/environmental factors, cultural diversity, ethics, and health promotion skills.
Application
Design takeaway
Shift design focus from age-specific interventions to lifelong well-being strategies that are adaptable and person-centred.
How to apply
When designing health apps, community programs, or assistive technologies, consider how they can support users at various life stages and encourage continuous healthy habits.
Project actions
- 01Consider the long-term impact of your design choices on user health and well-being.
- 02Incorporate elements that support users across different life stages.
- 03Focus on user needs and preferences rather than just age demographics.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive scoping review methodology.
- +Inclusion of expert stakeholder consultations.
Limitations
The research points out that interprofessional collaboration in healthy aging is not well-documented, which might mean there are fewer established models or best practices to draw upon for interdisciplinary design projects.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the scoping review is supported by the use of established guidelines (Arksey and O'Malley, JBI). Validity is enhanced by the inclusion of expert stakeholder consultations, providing real-world context and diverse perspectives.
Think critically
How might a design project that initially focuses on a specific age group be adapted or expanded to address the broader, lifelong aspects of healthy aging identified in this research?
Design Principles
"Design for the entire lifespan, prioritizing proactive health and individual needs."
This insight challenges traditional design approaches that often segment user needs by age group. It emphasizes the importance of designing products, services, and systems that support well-being from youth through old age, recognizing that healthy aging is a continuous process influenced by early life choices and experiences.
What This Means for Your Design
To help people age healthily, we need to think about their whole lives, not just when they are old. Designers should create things that help people stay healthy from when they are young all the way through to old age, and these things should be made for each person's specific needs.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify a design approach that considers the full user lifecycle, rather than a narrow age group.
- 2.Reference the need for person-centred communication and technology integration in your design process.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research emphasizes that effective strategies for promoting healthy aging must adopt a lifespan perspective, moving beyond a sole focus on older age demographics. The findings highlight the critical need for professional competences in person-centred communication, technology application, and understanding the multifaceted influences on health across life stages. This underscores the importance of designing products and services that support continuous well-being and are adaptable to individual needs throughout a person's life.
Source
European Journal of Ageing
Professional competences to promote healthy ageing across the lifespan: a scoping review
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about healthy aging strategies require a lifespan, person-centred approach, not just geriatric focus?
- Shift design focus from age-specific interventions to lifelong well-being strategies that are adaptable and person-centred. Evidence: European Journal of Ageing (2023).
- Why does "Healthy Aging Strategies Require a Lifespan, Person-Centred Approach, Not Just Geriatric Focus" matter for design?
- This insight challenges traditional design approaches that often segment user needs by age group. It emphasizes the importance of designing products, services, and systems that support well-being from youth through old age, recognizing that healthy aging is a continuous process influenced by early life choices and experiences.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Shift design focus from age-specific interventions to lifelong well-being strategies that are adaptable and person-centred.
- What were the main findings?
- Current literature disproportionately focuses on older age, neglecting younger population groups.. Interprofessional approaches to healthy aging are promising but insufficiently described.. A broad range of competences are needed, including person-centred communication, technology application, understanding of aging physiology and social/environmental factors, cultural diversity, ethics, and health promotion skills.
- What research method was used?
- Scoping Review with 79 experts.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from European Journal of Ageing.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing health apps, community programs, or assistive technologies, consider how they can support users at various life stages and encourage continuous healthy habits.
- What are the limitations?
- The review highlights that not all disciplines have equally reflected on their role in promoting healthy aging, and interprofessional approaches are not sufficiently described, suggesting potential gaps in current knowledge and practice.