Staying Engaged at Older Age
Over 1.8 million people in Germany currently live in residential care, psychosomatic and psychiatric facilities (Destatis 2021; Destatis 2022). Many of these residents and patients would like to remain an active member of their community and be able to take part in events such as dance evenings, pub quizzes or carnival parades in their region and stay in contact with other local people. However, numerous mobility barriers (e.g. lack of disabled toilets, steps; lack of transport services or accompanying staff at the facilities) make it almost impossible for them to participate on-site.
What do we need?
The aim is to develop digital solutions that will enable residents of care facilities to take part in regional events and talk to local residents digitally without having to leave their facility. The solutions should help older citizens in care facilities stop waiting for visits and remain active members of their communities, attending events they used to attend before moving into care facilities.
The technical solution (e.g. mobile video call, etc.) should not only take into account the needs of residents and employees in elderly care facilities, but also the needs and framework conditions for the event industry. The costs for the prototype should not exceed 2000€.
