User Requirements Analysis of an Embodied Conversational Agent for Coaching Older Adults to Choose Active and Healthy Ageing Behaviors during the Transition to Retirement: A Cross-National User Centered Design Study

Sara Santini, Vera Stara, Flavia Galassi, Alessandra Merizzi, Cornelia Schneider, Sabine Schwammer, Elske Stolte and Johannes Kropf
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Sara Santini: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Vera Stara: Model of Care and New Technologies, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Flavia Galassi: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Alessandra Merizzi: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Cornelia Schneider: Institute of Computer Science, University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Sabine Schwammer: Nursing Programme, University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Elske Stolte: Gouden Dagen, 3721 Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Johannes Kropf: Austrian Institute of Technology, 1210 Wiener Neustadt, Austria

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-24

Abstract: Background: Retirement is recognized as a factor influencing the ageing process. Today, virtual health coaching systems can play a pivotal role in supporting older adults’ active and healthy ageing. This study wants to answer two research questions: (1) What are the user requirements of a virtual coach (VC) based on an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) for motivating older adults in transition to retirement to adopt a healthy lifestyle? (2) How could a VC address the active and healthy ageing dimensions, even during COVID-19 times? Methods: Two-wave focus-groups with 60 end-users aged 55 and over and 27 follow-up telephone interviews were carried out in Austria, Italy and the Netherlands in 2019–2020. Qualitative data were analysed by way of framework analysis. Results: End-users suggest the VC should motivate older workers and retirees to practice physical activity, maintain social contacts and emotional well-being. The ECA should be reactive, customizable, expressive, sympathetic, not directive nor patronizing, with a pleasant and motivating language. The COVID-19 outbreak increased the users’ need for functions boosting community relationships and promoting emotional well-being. Conclusions: the VC can address the active and healthy ageing paradigm by increasing the chances of doing low-cost healthy activities at any time and in any place.

Keywords: embodied conversational agents; healthy aging; older workers; retirees; transition to retirement; users’ requirements; user centered design; virtual coach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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