Opportunities for New Products andServices to Support Independent Living

Results of primary research into the needs of older people to allow them to remain independent in their own homes and community

Date: April 2010

Commissioned by Wellness and Health Innovation, Scotland’s national initiative designed to support Scottish companies developing innovative products or services for the wellness and health sector. www.wellnesshealthinnovation.org

A WHI White Paper

Discussionswith subject

matter experts

Online research

Older adultdiaries and

photographs

Researchmethod

Observations

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Opportunities for New Products and Services

to Support Independent Living

A WHI White Paper

RESEARCH DESIGN

Purpose of the researchThe aim of the project was to carry out a small primaryresearch study into the needs of older people living inScotland with a view to creating market and product development information for companies seeking to developnew products in this area.

The research question set is summarised in Figure 1.

• What is the environment for older/disabled people living in own homes:- Explore their environment, and how this

affects them in a positive and negative way.- Who do they interact with (friends/relatives/

care workers) and how is this managed?- What are their routines/activities they carry out

(e.g. dressing, washing, household tasks, shopping); what they can do and cannot do?

- What issues they encounter; the implications of these?

• Prioritise the current/future needs of older/disabled people living in own homes;

• Identify concept areas for new products or services according to prioritised needs.

INTRODUCTION

We are living in a period of immense change and opportunity. Life expectancy has been increasing dramaticallyover the past century, with the trend accelerating over thepast 20 years.(1) There is evidence that health promotionand acute medical care have helped to reduce levels of ill-health and disability in older people.(2) However,because the absolute number of older people is higher, the healthcare burden is set to rise exponentially. In particular, there is an increasing prevalence of chronicconditions such as stroke, dementia, heart disease, cancer, cataracts, and incontinence.

The cost of acute intervention and caring for elderly peoplein higher intensity or institutional care is prohibitive:according to a recent report by Saga, care home bills forthe elderly will double to more than £1,000 for a week’sstay per person over the next two decades.(3)

There is recognition from government and support services for the need to promote health, wellbeing andindependence among older people to allow them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.

Dr Kevin Doughty from the Centre for Usable HomeTechnology at the University of York outlined the range oftechnologies and integrated systems being developed tosupport independent living in his Wellness and HealthInnovation white paper Opportunities for Technology toSupport Independence and Assisted Living in OlderPeople and Other Vulnerable Groups.

This new white paper builds on that position, and presentsevidence and support for companies seeking to developnew products or services to assist people to live healthyand independent lives within their communities.

Figure 1 – Research questions

Figure 2 – Research methodology

Direct researcherobservations & photos

Interviews

Older adult ‘day in life’

Small little people/Guardian Angel

Independent Living/Primary

Research

Potential Methodologies

Mobility levels

Attitudes to technology/equipment

Everyday activities

DemographicsEmployed/previous employment

Age

Gender

Illness/disease issuesOther long term condition

Cognitive impairments

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

High blood pressure

Joint/bone/muscle disease

Diabetes

Chronic respitory disease

Dexterity issues

Depression/mood

Tactile functions

PurchasingWhere purchase?

Where look for information?

How much prepared to pay?

Who actually buys it for them?

Current assistive technology/equipment

Who do they live with?

Who do they interact with?

How do they interact with them?

How often do they do it?

When do they do it?

How do they do it?

What do they do?

HobbiesAdmin - eg banking, PO

InteractingIroning

WashingCleaningDressingCooking

CommunicatingMaking bed

Who helps them do it?

Where do they do it?

Take pictures of whatyou enjoy about your day

Take pictures of what makes youangry/frustrated about your day

Take pictures of things, people,environments etc that positive

and negative affect yourquality of life

Social networks

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The research methodology The methodology involved recruiting participants (total = 25),providing them with a disposable camera and asking themto record things, people and environments that had a positive and negative impact on their lives. This was followed by face-to-face interviews carried out in thehomes of the older or disabled persons.

(See Figure 2)

As well as collecting general demographic information, the interviewer identified the range of typical diseases orconditions experienced, how well they managed witheveryday activities, (with particular reference to mobility,self-care and pain/discomfort), what hobbies and intereststhey enjoyed and what form their social networks took.

(See Figure 3)

The interviewer and the participant then reviewed theresults of the photo diaries compiled by the participants. A final question was if they could have a guardian angel,what might make their life better. This was designed tostretch the imagination beyond the immediate situation.

Figure 3 – Detailed question set topic

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Many household tasks were becoming more difficult orimpossible – activities such as cleaning windows and baths,and vacuuming. Gardening was cited as an enjoyable activity,but one that was becoming increasingly harder to do.

(See Figure 5)

Things that delightBeing outside – sunny days and taking holidays were universal pleasures. Relaxing in comfortable places, suchas a favourite chair could be equally enjoyable. Social networks – they have long been cited as beingimportant to reduce the sense of loneliness and isolation,particularly for those who live alone. Our groups had awide range of networks, including family and friends,neighbours, church, evening classes and charity work.Pets, too, were a great source of companionship.Active mind/active body – those who took part in theresearch participated in activities from dancing and tabletennis to Sudoku and audio books, both for pleasure andalso in recognition of the importance of an active mind aswell as an active body.

When asked about a guardian angel and what would make life easier, some of the responses fell into two maincategories – those who were looking for companionshipand something to banish loneliness and those who wantedsomething or someone to carry out chores for them.

(See Figure 6)

Assistive products Assistive products used ranged from new products thatmade their lives easier, e.g. pendant alarms and seats fortoilets to ergonomic or lightweight versions of existingproducts, e.g. lever taps and lightweight ladders. Ofteneveryday products were purchased due to their potentialfor being assistive, e.g. easy to fit clothes pegs.

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RESULTS

The results of the research confirmed that people are keento remain independent in their own homes and communitiesfor as long as possible. Those interviewed were able tocarry out a wide range of activities, and whenever somethingbecame more difficult, they looked for a means to maketheir life easier and keep control of their independence.

(See Figure 4)

Even within our small sample, there was a wide range ofmobility, ability and desire to operate technical equipmentand the uptake of assistive products to help them carry outeveryday tasks. A number of issues were clustered, resultingin potential gaps for new products and services.

Daily activitiesThe research covered a number of different activities:

Clothing and dressing – one area that proved to be difficult for some people. Rheumatic fingers and lack ofmobility made fasteners, bras and jewellery difficult to puton and take off.Security – this was a big issue. Risks, whether real or perceived, could limit a person’s feeling of safety anddesire to leave the house for fear of being burgled.Washing – a particular area of concern, both because ofthe risk of falling in a wet bathroom, and also because lackof mobility again made it difficult to carry out tasks such asbrushing the hair on the back of their head. Preparing food – brought a host of new issues related tocutting food, lifting heavy dishes and pots, standing at thecooker and the awkward height of the work surfaces.Shopping – featured highly in the diaries. The main problems were carrying heavy bags, steering the trolleys,and reaching high items on the shelves. Not surprisingly,services that brought services to the individual, such ashairdressers and fishmongers, were well received.

Hostess trolley

Accessibility

Automatic doors into shopsWheelchair ramps into houseLiftsSpace in shop aisles

CompanyEyesight poorer for reading

Radio

Drawer drivers to make iteasier to lift out plates etc

Church

Classes

Family and friends

Neighbours

Charity work

Links to community

Companionships

make me cheerful/stop feeling sorry for myself

Transport

Do my housework

Knitting

Table tennis

Sewing

Internet

Suduko

Audio books

Classes

Holidays

Gardening

Radio

Concern about inadvertent operation

Easier

Saves standing for too long at cooker

Better height

Shopping

Communication

Hobbies

Assistive products

Cutting food

Lakeland

Kleeneze/Betterware

Specialist shops

Social work

Lifting heavy pans

Standing at cooker

Height of worktops, cooker, oven etc

Fishmonger

Hairdresser

Meals on wheels

Dial a bus

Cleaning baths

Painting and decorating

Hoovering

Cleaning out and lighting fires

Cleaning windows

Ironing

Carrying heavy items

Steering the trolley

Reaching high items on shelves

Independent Living Photos and Diaries

Daily activities

Things that delight

Sunny weather

Fresh air

Holidays e.g. cruising

Relaxing in comfortable and familiar places e.g. favourite chair in favourite room

What would your guardianangel do to make your lifeeasier?

Social networks

Hobbies

Pets for company

Things that make lifeeasier and more pleasant

Door alarms, key fobs, video entry systems

Seat belt adjuster

Walker

Seating hoist

Heated items

Where to look for them?

Pillows

Hearing loop amplifier

Ergonomic cutlery

Remote controls

Lever taps

Microwave

Internet

Mobile and home phones

Bath chair

Lightweight step ladders

Easy to fit clothes pegs

High seat for toilet

Can openers

Pendant alarms

BP monitor

Like heated car seats

Wheat bags

Hot Water bottles

Blankets/throws

Uncomfortable

Modified by thick cloth for cushioning

Walking/hiking

Hanging out washing

V shaped

Various for between knees when sleeping

Lap cushion

Washing

Security

Clothing & Dressing

Preparing food

Shopping

Housework

Enjoy garden butbecomes harder to do

Services thatcome to door

Easy things such as joggersand cosyfeet shoes

Stroke/hot water bottles– link to clothing

Sore feet walking from poolto changing rooms

Difficult such as support pants,buttons, jewellery, tights, bras

and position of fasteners

Perceived risks

Leave doors open for carers

Difficult to open/close doors

Key fobs, video door entry, alarms

Baths/showers

Reaching to back of headto brush or dry hair

Stroke/hot water bottles – link to clothing

Easy things such as joggersand cosyfeet shoes

Sore feet walking from pool to changing rooms

Difficult such as support pants,buttons, jewellery, tights, bras

and position of fasteners

The challengesof daily activities

Clothing and dressing

Washing

Preparing food

Cutting food

Lifting heavy pans

Standing at cooker

Height of worktops, cooker, oven etc

ShoppingSteering the trolley

Reaching high items on shelves

Carrying heavy items

Services that come to door

Housework

Cleaning windows

Cleaning baths

Painting and decorating

Vacuuming

Ironing

Cleaning out and lighting fires

Baths/showers

FishmongerHairdresserMeals on wheelsDial a bus

Reaching to back to head to brush or dry hair

SecurityLeave doors open for carers

Perceived risks

Difficult to open/close doors

Key fob, video door entry, alarms

Enjoy garden but becomes harder to do

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Figure 4 – Feedback from photos and diaries

Figure 5 – Daily activities

Before it gets critical

Free trials

Rating schemes

Opening windows for fresh air

Accessibility

Controlling temperature

Ability to get out of chairs and beds

Ability to access transport

Issues

Control of environment

Height

Shop counters

Cookers and ovens

Fridges

Shelves

Cupboards

Pain management

Access to information aboutproducts and services

Part of preparing to go out

Audio books to distract

Medication

Heat pads, hot water bottles,acupuncture, massage,various shaped pillows

Stairs

FallingFear coming home at nightSad

Depressed

Lack of confidenceNot used to doing things

Not cope with change and new things

Pill packetsComplianceReminders

Heating concerns

Psychological

Watching electricity usage

Turning down heating

Concern for environment

Isolation and loneliness

Fears

Need for communication

Aesthetics – now, white and clinical like ipod

Confidence

Personalisation of products to fitwith needs, likes and surroundings

Need to be able to do creative things

Some very happy

Things thatdelight

Relaxing in comfortable andfamiliar places e.g. favouritechair in favourite room

Holidays e.g. cruising

Hobbies

Sewing

Knitting

Table tennis

Internet

Sudoku

Audio books

Classes

Holidays

Gardening

Radio

Pets for company

Sunny weather

Fresh airWalking/hiking

Hanging out washing

Things that make life easierand more pleasant

Hostess trolley

Accessibility

Radio

Drawer drivers to make iteasier to lift out plates etc

Links to communityAutomatic doors into shopsWheelchair ramps into houseLiftsSpace in shop aisles

CompanyEyesight poor for reading

Make me cheerful/stopfeeling sorry for myself

Transport

Do my housework

Social networksClasses

Church

Family and friends

Neighbours

Charity work

What would your guardian angeldo to make your life easier?

EasierSaves standing fortoo long at cookerBetter height

Shopping

Communications

Hobbies

Microwave

Remote control

Internet

Can openers

Lakeland

Kleeneze/Betterware

Specialist shops

Social work

Mobile and home help

Where do peoplelook for them?

Products that are typically in all homes

Ergonomic cutlery

Heated car seatsWheat bagsHot water bottlesBlankets/pillows

UncomfortableModified by thick

cloth for cushioning

Concern aboutinadvertent operation

V shapedVarious for betweenknees when sleepingLap cushion

Lever taps

Walker

Seating hoist

Door alarms, key fobs, video entry systems

High seat for toilet

Hearing loop amplifier

BP monitor

Pendant alarms

Bath chair

Seat belt adjuster

Lightweight step ladders

Easy to fit clothes pegs

Pillows

Heated items

Specifically designed assistive products

General products purchased to be assistive

Assistiveproducts

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Figure 6 – Things that delight

Figure 7 – Assistive products

Figure 8 – Issues

As to where they would look to purchase such products,the response varied from social services to specialistshops and magazines delivered to the door.

(See Figure 7)

ISSUES

Issues raised were clustered into 5 groups:• psychological• pain management• control of their environment (inc. heating)• ergonomics and • access to information

There is no question that psychological wellbeing is asimportant as physical wellbeing. Issues raised by the participants included lack of confidence, fears – particularlyof falling and security – loneliness and the need to bedoing something creative.

All the participants expressed a need to continue to beable to control their environment, including temperature,being able to open windows for fresh air and being able to access all areas in the house, including upstairs.

(See Figure 8)

Pain management was central to the lives of many of theparticipants. Solutions ranged from products to remindusers to take medication to products to ease pain andeven ways to distract from pain.

Products for the older population need to take into accountthat they are often of smaller size, have less strength (e.g. to open jars) and less dexterous.

Finally, there was a need to access information and education about new products and services, especiallybefore their situation becomes critical.

PERSONAS

As a result of the research, the Wellness and HealthInnovation team have developed personas to assist withthe development of new products and services. These personas are fictitious characters, representing typical situations as identified during the course of the research.Full details of the personas can be found in Appendix A, B and C. For more information on how to use personas fordeveloping new products and services, see Wellness andHealth Innovation Tools.

Figure 9 shows the detailed findings of the gaps for newproducts to assist with both physical and emotional wellbeing for each persona. It also identifies potential solutions for their needs.

(See Figure 9)

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPANIES TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS, APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES

This research has identified five main areas where there areneeds for new products, applications and services:• products that make older adults comfortable and

safe in their immediate environment• products that make them safe in the wider

environment• products that enable them to communicate and

interact with others• products that allow them to access information

about new products and services and • a means to access products and services that delight

Across all these areas, the message is that new products,applications and services need to be designed to suit andadapt to older people, rather than relying on them tochange. There is an opportunity for products designed tobe used by people with low strength, arthritic fingers, poorvisibility or poor balance. The next generation of productsand services will have customer-centred design as a focus.

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Product that help relax and copeSort physical things and some

emotional ones may resolveAccess to respite care

Cards, products that convey emotionalneeds, Press buttons to set phrases

OWL, heated furniture, heating control sensor

Communication while she is outAccess to information

Heated pads and furnitureMonitor BP at home

Key finder and subtle reminders

Fear of falling and being leftUsed to being active – less now

Doesn’t feel as needed as she used toDegree of loneliness and isolation

Tights/fastenings are difficultOpening/closing/cutting

Height of equipmentCarrying heavy weights

BathingPain when sleeping

Protection for fallsAlarms and falls detector

InformationProducts for connectedness

What products already exist for her?Design processes e.g. B&Q kitchen oven height

Floating traysBath seating and aids

Pad for between kneesSelf assessment softwareNo access to online

Alarms and warnings e.g. shut door, take coat– personalised

Access to services e.g. window cleaning

IndependentLiving Gaps

Margaret and Tom

General

Rosie and Arthur

Opening PVC 5 bolt opening doorat the press of a button

Medication compliance

Emotional

Emotional

SunshineContact with distant friends and familyEarly pain management

Physical

Don’t know about assistive productsPutting on jeweleryReaching behind head

Remembering to take medication

Having to try to change diet due to diabetes,check blood – need support

Solutions

4 wheel buggy drivesWhat leisure facilities in area – sign post to opportunitiesSoftware – fitness, brain training, diet, motivation – holistic approaches

How to find information – touchpoints and signpostsHow to evaluate value for money of assistive productsImprove fastening and clips for clothing and jewellery

Pain management – head pads, exo2 products, acupuncture, audio books and things that directattention, TENS machines

Contact – skype, video, emails, phone and travel

Medication reminders e.g. environmental changes such as table changing colour

LonelinessTension

StressLack of confidence

Worry

FrustrationPride

Physical

Solutions

Emotional

Physical

Solutions

MobilityAches, pains

High blood pressureEarly dementia

Speech

Leaving him aloneCost of heating

Anna

Avoid the need for older adults toadapt products to fit their needs

Physical needs

Emotional and psychological needs

Access to transport

Security

Communication

Hobbies

Clubs

Sports

Independent Living Needs:Product and service

solutions that…

Make older adults comfortable,safe and independent in the

wider environment

Do not rely on older adultsmodifying their behaviour tofit their abilities

Make older adults comfortable,safe and independent in theirimmediate environment

Family

Friends

Services

Enable easy communicationand interaction with others

Facilitate access to productsand services that delight

Fit the need of older adults

Pain and medication management

Relaxation

Clothing

Control of environment

Security and safety

Psychological support

Design of environment

Enable access to information,products and services

Figure 9 – Personas and Independent Living Gaps

Figure 10 – Independent Living Needs

Products that make older adults comfortableand safe in their immediate environmentProducts designed to be used within the home environmentto make older adults safe and comfortable include productsfor security and safety, clothing designed specifically forolder adults, products to help relaxation, products that helpmaintain control of the environment, and products for painand medication management.

Products that make older adults safe in thewider environmentSuch products include security again, assistance withtransport and communication.

(See Figure 10)

Products that enable older adults to communicate and interact with others The need for interaction and communication with otherscame out as a strong requirement in the research. Therewas a range of ability when it came to using technology,but there are undoubtedly many opportunities to facilitatecommunication in this sector.

Products that allow older adults to accessinformation about new products and services Related to the need for communication is the need to findout about services and new products, ideally before theneed becomes critical. This might mean new channels ornew methods of delivering existing information.

Products and services that delightProducts that delight are necessary for psychological wellbeing, and today’s older population has more disposable income than it had in the past to spend onproducts that are designed for enjoyment.

DISCUSSION

The Independent Living market represents an excitingopportunity for companies who have technologies or capabilities to meet the unmet needs identified in this paper.

The information can be used in a number of ways:• To explore unmet needs for new products

or services• To help in identifying new concepts for

new products or services• To provide evidence when developing a

business case prior to developing new products or services

• Use the personas to assist in creating customer-centric product development.

REFERENCES

(1) National Statisticswww.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=881accessed 8th April 2010(3) Times onlinewww.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article580784.ece accessed 8th April 2010(3) Saga www.saga.co.uk/money/managingyourmoney/postcode-lottery-of-long-term-care-home-fees.aspaccessed 7th April 2010

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APPENDIX A INDEPENDENT LIVING CASE STUDY –OLDER SINGLE FEMALE WITH HEALTHISSUES – ANNA GREEN

Name: Anna GreenAge: 84Situation: Lives alone, has never marriedConditions: Hip replacement, osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis, some memory loss, somehearing lossGuardian Angel request: I would like to be ableto get out and about to meet my friends moreoften

Anna was born in 1925, third of eight children and the eldestdaughter. Like many women of her generation, she nevermarried after her fiancé died in WWII. Instead she settledinto a life on her own with a busy career in nursing. Sheretired early to care for her father after her mother died ofbowel cancer and for the past 20 years she has been living on her own after the death of her father from a heart attack.

Many of her brothers and sisters have moved away – someeven emigrated to Canada and Australia – but she is veryclose to her sister Jessie, who lives in the same town.Jessie’s daughter Carol pops in regularly to keep an eye onher aunt. And she occasionally sees her brother, who livesnot far away in Glasgow. She particularly enjoys family parties when all the nieces and nephews and their familiesmeet up. Now that she can’t get out and about so muchshe keeps in touch by telephone.

Compared to her friends, Anna feels she is very lucky.Many of them are in care homes now, but she is still ableto manage in her own flat. She accepts the arthritis, pooreyesight and hearing loss. “Just part and parcel of gettingold,” she reminds herself. But when she thinks of the hobbiesshe used to have, but can’t manage any more such asneedlework or long walks in the country, she is sad.“You’re not as young as you used to be,” she sighs.However, a friend comes round every month to take her tothe local social club, where they play carpet bowls.

Nowadays though, she is content just to watch. And everySunday her neighbour takes her to church where she helpswith the flowers. Her favourite television show isCountdown; the loop amplifier on her hearing aid meansthat she can hear the television well. During the day shespends a lot of time watching the birds at the feeder in thelittle communal garden outside her flat. She is a member ofthe Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and they regularly send her magazines full of lovely bird pictures.Her favourite food is soup, and she makes a pot of vegetable soup or lentil soup once or twice a week, but shehas some difficulty in cutting up the vegetables now. Herarthritis means that it is difficult to open jars and tins, or evento hang out the washing, a task that she enjoys. “Gets meoutside, you know. And there is nothing better than seeingthe washing getting a good blow.” She uses big pegs thatare easy to manipulate with her arthritic fingers.

Her biggest problem these days is a fear of falling, particularlyof lying for a long time before she is found. This means thatshe is very cautious about moving around, which meansthat she really doesn’t get as much exercise as she wouldlike. She misses not having a bath; she would love to be ableto relax in the warm water, but her hip replacement and fearof falling means that baths are out of the question. Andputting on tights is another concern in case she loses herbalance. So more often than not she just wears pop socks.

She is not very technical, and has no knowledge of theinternet, so online shopping is not an option. Instead sheuses the Dial-A-Bus service in her area to do her weeklyshopping.

However, Anna is happy to be in her own home still, andshe is holding on fiercely to her independence.

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APPENDIX B INDEPENDENT LIVING CASE STUDY –OLDER COUPLE WITH HEALTH ISSUES– MARGARET AND TOM BAXTER

Name: Margaret and Tom BaxterAge: 70 and 72Situation: MarriedConditions: Tom had a stroke and has variousrelated physical impairments. Margaret hashigh blood pressure and some early signs ofdementia.Guardian Angel requests: Margaret would like tofeel more connected and Tom would like to beable to build and fix things.

Both Margaret and Tom were born in the 1930s inAberdeen and were married to other partners in their early20s. They met after their marriages ended and have nowbeen happily married for 25 years. Both have children from their previous marriages and between them six grandchildren: Tom has three sons all of whom wereunhappy with their father remarrying. Margaret has twosons who she is contact with but who spend more timewith their wives families. Neither side of their families are supportive.

Prior to their retirement Tom had his own building businessand Margaret was a housewife. The first few years of theirretirement were spent travelling within Scotland togethervisiting friends and enjoying spending time together. Three years ago Tom had a stroke which affected hisspeech, memory and mobility. Social services providesome support as he needs physical help getting dressed,in and out of the bath and bed. Margaret feels that she has a duty to look after Tom by herself and is stressed and has high blood pressure. She feels that she has losther confidence and is concerned that she is experiencingsome early signs of dementia.

As they were used to doing everything together there is asense of tension, sadness and loss in their home. They arequite proud and don’t like to ask for help and as they have

no technology in their home they don’t have access toinformation about products and services that could maketheir lives easier.

Tom doesn’t get out the house very often as Margaretstruggles getting him in and out of the house and car.Margaret goes out in the car herself during the day but isn’t happy doing this as Tom used to do all the driving and she doesn’t like leaving him alone at home – althoughhe uses a pendant alarm.

Margaret doesn’t like driving alone at night and feels guiltyleaving Tom so sometimes misses out on social gatheringswith her friends. She catches up with them on the phonebut still feels lonely and isolated and finds it hard to hearthe stories about her friends and their husbands enjoying a healthy and fulfilling retirement. Margaret keeps busysewing and knitting and enjoys watching the shoppingchannel. Tom likes to watch TV but likes sports channelsso they often sit in different rooms. Tom is frustrated bybeing unable to concentrate long enough to read and dopuzzles but has recently discovered audio books whichgive him the opportunity to relax his mind.

Tom has general aches and pain in his back, neck, shoulders and knees and often feels very cold and useshot water bottles regularly. The amount of time they spendin the house with the heating on is making them anxiousabout the cost of heating their home.

Tom and Margaret are keen to continue living in their hometogether for as long as they are able to.

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APPENDIX C INDEPENDENT LIVING CASE STUDY –OLDER COUPLE WITH MINOR HEALTHISSUES – ROSIE AND ARTHUR TAYLOR

Name: Rosie and Arthur TaylorAge: 68 and 71Situation: MarriedConditions: Rosie has mobility problems following a broken ankle and Arthur has a sore shoulder and diabetes.Guardian Angel request: Rosie would like to beable to go walking, see more of their grandchildren and host more dinner parties. Arthurwould like to be able to play more golf.

Rosie and Arthur were both born during WWII in England.They met at a ballroom dancing class and have been married for 47 years. They have two sons living in England,one aged 42 is in the army and has never married, and theother aged 45 is a banker in London and has two children.

Arthur’s job as a manager for a global electronics companyrequired them to move to Scotland 15 years ago. Rosieused to work in retail part time and they both retired several years ago with good pensions. Being retired hasgiven them the opportunity to spend time together doing allthe things they love. They both enjoy pottering around theirwell-stocked garden and share a love of ballroom dancing.To celebrate their ruby wedding they went on a cruisearound the world. However, during one of the cruise stopsRosie had a fall whilst hiking through forests to a coffeebean plantation. She broke her ankle and has since hadmobility problems which have affected her ability to ballroomdance and has restricted the amount of time she can spendon her favourite hobby of shopping. Rosie likes her houseto look clean and tidy but needs Arthur to help with thehovering and cleaning windows.

Arthur really enjoys playing golf and the socialising afterwardswith friends and ex-colleagues. However, he has recentlybeen having pain in his shoulder which means he can’tplay as much as he would like to. Arthur also has Type 2diabetes and is struggling to keep his blood glucose withintarget limits.

Arthur and Rosie love hosting parties in their house andArthur recently purchased a bar for their dining room. They share a love of gadgets and Rosie bought Tom anelectric corkscrew for his birthday which according toRosie “He enjoys demonstrating at parties”. They are comfortable with technology and both use the computer to send emails and communicate (via Skype) with theirfamily who all still live in the South of England. Rosie oftenshops for food online as she finds shopping difficult now.

Rosie and Arthur miss their sons and grandchildren andwish they could spend more time with them. Although theyhave made lots of new friends since moving to Scotlandthey do miss their old friends and neighbours and sometimes feel a bit isolated. They miss the good, warmweather they were used to having when they lived inEngland and so they will fly to visit family and friends asmuch as they can. They try to avoid driving long distancesand have been finding it difficult recently to get car insurance.

Despite a few minor problems Rosie and Arthur are happy,aging well and enjoying their retirement together.

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