New horizons in design for autonomous ageing.
The world is ageing rapidly. Between 2000 and 2050, the number of people aged ≥65 will double as a proportion of the global population, from 7% to 16%, respectively. By 2050, for the first time in human history, there will be more older people than children (aged 0–14 years) in the population. More distinctive is the tremendous increase in the oldest old aged ≥85. This challenges society to adapt, in order to maximise the health and functional capacity of older people as well as their social participation and security.

Ageing is a multidimensional process of change in the physical, mental and social domain, leading to functional decline.

Design thinking has embraced ageing as a topic where it can add to public health interventions. Applications of design and technology can contribute to ‘autonomous ageing’, for example, independent living and life style support, and can compensate for functional deficits associated with ageing. The focus is on supporting and reinforcing the reduced physical, mental, social and functional capacities of older people by applying groundbreaking, innovative design inclusive engineering methods, always starting with a human-centered integrated approach.

Examples of design for geriatric giants include design for falls prevention, dementia care and integrated care.

The establishment of collaborative networks between clinicians and designers, academia and industry is required to advance design for autonomous ageing.
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands.|Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tischa J M
TJ
van der Cammen
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands.
Armagan
A
Albayrak
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands.
Ena
E
Voûte
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands.
Johan F M
JF
Molenbroek
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000639:trends*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends*; D006304:Health Status; D000073656:Healthy Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D058992:Social Participation