Buur goed
A service design to stimulate elderly to become more socially active
Information
Author: Bruil, S.C.W.
Contributor: Vermeeren, A.P.O.S., Anderiesen, H.
Faculty: Industrial Design Engineering
Department: Industrial Design
Programme: Master of Science Design for Interaction
Type: Master thesis
Date: 20-7-2012
Keywords: Social design | Interaction | Loneliness | Elderly | Service | Active | Platform
Abstract
This thesis describes the graduation process of the graduation project ‘Lonely Elderly’ executed for the master Design for Interaction at the Delft University of Technology.
The goal of this graduation assignment is to design a service which stimulates elderly in becoming more socially active. These elderly are in the age of 65 to 80 and are living independently in one of the bigger cities in the Netherlands. An analysis-, design- and evaluation phase have been completed which resulted in the design of ‘Buur Goed’.
‘Buur Goed’ is a platform which stimulates social cohesion by making people aware of their neighbours and by stimulating elderly to enjoy activities face to face together. Elderly can post activities and subscribe for activities of their neighbours. The service spot is situated in the entrance of the flat, a cosy space is created where people can access the platform by making use of the tablet computers provided. On the platform there are three main interface menus: Profiles, people can create their own profile and they can look at profiles of neighbours.
Activities, people can find an overview of activities going on in the flat, they are able to post new activities and to subscribe for neighbours’ activities. Messages, people can send and receive messages from each other.
