Information Exploration
Profit, Research, and Equality in the Tech Bubble: Developing Inclusive Technologies for Ageing in Place in a Start-up View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Federica Previtali
In the Nordic countries, there is increasing investment in welfare technologies for the older population as a viable solution to ageing, welfare expenses and under-staffing of care services. The market for smart solutions for the health and safety of older persons, which supports ageing in place, is constantly growing and has already doubled its size from 2017 to 2021. Currently, the private marker of a digital solution for ageing in place is over-populated in the Nordics. However, there are very few companies that develop solutions with an inclusive design approach, and even fewer that involve social and psychological research to test their prototypes to avoid hyper-medicalisation, datafication, and exacerbation of inequalities. This paper details a research project to produce a marketable smart solution in an AI company that develops ambient assisted living for older persons. I describe through an auto-ethnographic perspective what it means to introduce to private tech companies an inclusive design proposal. Based on focus groups and interviews involving funders, developers, public primary care providers, forma caregivers, families and older persons, the analysis shows the challenges and opportunities to develop inclusive technologies in the living lab of a small city placed in South-East Finland. This research considers the role of commercial actors from an insider perspective and initiate a collaborative discussion between entrepreneurs and researchers.
Rethinking the Digital Divide: Finding Space for Non-Users
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Lucie Vidovićová
Debates inspired by the COVID-19 experience speak of accelerating the use of ICT in all spheres of society. At the same time, however, there are growing concerns about the widening divide between "users" and "non-users". Although many older people have a very good level of digital skills, others find themselves digital strangers in a strange land. In this paper, we present the conceptual background and first results of the international DIGOLD project, which aims at capturing the dynamics of digital technology adoption in the everyday lives of the older people. In particular, we focus on questions of how to describe the choices and strategies of non-users and open for debate their symbolic invisibility in current policy-making approaches.
Accessible Information and Flexibility are Key: Innovative Support for Families with Long Term Care (LTC) Needs in Germany View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nehle Penning, Georgia Casanova
In Germany, a large proportion of people in need of care are cared for at home by family members which is enhanced, among other things, by the fact that the construct of the German long-term care insurance is strongly targeted at families. However, although there is support available, affected families face various risks, e.g. the risk of socio-economic deprivation. Studies show that care is perceived as very exhausting and limiting for social contacts as well as a financial burden. It is therefore of interest what needs to be done in order to improve the situation of families with relatives in need of care and to reduce sources of stress. The analysis is based on eight expert interviews that have been conducted – online and in person – in 2022 as part of the research Project SEreDIPE (funded by Horizon 2020 MSCA-IF-2019 (g.a.n.888102)). The experts were selected based on their scientific and/or practical knowledge related to long-term care in Germany. The expert opinions agree that sufficient support in caring for relatives often fails due to a lack of information. Many of those affected do not know what they are entitled to and how they can claim it. For example, few people know that carers can take a three-week cure every four years and there are hardly any offers for it. In addition, a need was identified for greater flexibility in the services offered, so that, for example, working carers can reconcile them better and individual needs can be better taken into account.
