Developing an ecosystem of advanced digital services for healthy ageing by a co-creation methodology: preliminary results of the AGAPE project.

Abstract

Background: Digital solutions can support healthier ageing and better functioning throughout life; the AGAPE project aimed to co-create and implement a digital ecosystem of services to promote Active and Healthy Ageing, with the involvement of Older adults (OAs) and their formal and informal caregivers. The project's co-creation methodology followed five phases: Pre-selection of devices; Focus groups and questionnaires; Workshops and Living Labs; Pre-Pilot; Pilot. Aim: The aim of this paper is to describe the first four phases of the project, including the results of the usability study (phases 3-4).

Design and methods: Co-creation followed the YOUSE Toolbox of Active and Assisted Living projects for user-centred design. Phases 1-4 of the study were conducted in parallel in Italy, Portugal, Romania, to integrate feedback from all sites. To assess the usability and the level of stress related to technology usage (phases 3 and 4), the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Technostress (TS) were administered, respectively.

Results: Two hundred and eighty-two participants (Italy n = 103; Portugal n = 86; Romania n = 93) were involved. Participants appreciated the solution, its services and the health self-monitoring opportunities. Feedback from phases 1 to 4 led wearables choice, interfaces design and coaching strategies. SUS scores showed a significant reduction during Living Lab and Pre-Pilot (p < 0.001); TS did not significantly change. Both scores differed between user groups and countries.

Conclusions: This paper presents a reproducible and measurable co-creation approach that has been successfully applied to develop different digital health services for AHA and rehabilitation.