Cross-National User Priorities for Housing Provision and Accessibility — Findings from the European innovAge Project

Maria Haak, Björn Slaug, Frank Oswald, Steven M. Schmidt, Joseph M. Rimland, Signe Tomsone, Thomas Ladö, Torbjörn Svensson and Susanne Iwarsson
Additional contact information
Maria Haak: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
Björn Slaug: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
Frank Oswald: Interdisciplinary Ageing Research, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt 60323, Germany
Steven M. Schmidt: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
Joseph M. Rimland: Italian National Research Center on Ageing (INRCA), Via Santa Margherita, 5-60124 Ancona, Italy
Signe Tomsone: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
Thomas Ladö: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
Torbjörn Svensson: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
Susanne Iwarsson: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: To develop an innovative information and communication technology (ICT) tool intended to help older people in their search for optimal housing solutions, a first step in the development process is to gain knowledge from the intended users. Thus the aim of this study was to deepen the knowledge about needs and expectations about housing options as expressed and prioritized by older people, people ageing with disabilities and professionals. A participatory design focus was adopted; 26 people with a range of functional limitations representing the user perspective and 15 professionals with a variety of backgrounds, participated in research circles that were conducted in four European countries. An additional 20 experts were invited as guests to the different research circle meetings. Three themes illustrating cross-national user priorities for housing provision and accessibility were identified: “Information barrier: accessible housing”, “Information barrier: housing adaptation benefits”, and “Cost barrier: housing adaptations”. In conclusion, early user involvement and identification of cross-national differences in priorities and housing options will strengthen the development of a user-friendly ICT tool that can empower older people and people with disabilities to be more active consumers regarding housing provision.

Keywords: ageing; environment; innovation; housing; accessibility; functional capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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