An “ultimate partnership”: Older persons’ perspectives on age-stereotypes and intergenerational interaction in co-designing digital technologies

• Published in: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics Vol. 113; p. 105050
• Main Authors: Mannheim, Ittay, Weiss, Dana, van Zaalen, Yvonne, Wouters, Eveline J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-10-2023
• Subjects: Ageism; Co-design; Digital technology; Focus group; Participatory design; Ageism; Co-design; Digital technology; Participatory design; Focus group
• ISSN: 0167-4943; 1872-6976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105050

•Ageism has a potential detrimental role in how digital technologies are designed.•Negative images of ageing were identified as potentially influencing design decisions.•The “ultimate partnership” in co-designing is defined as involvement from the beginning, iteratively, in a participatory approach.•Perception of partnership led to the perception of successful design outcomes, desirable for use.•Higher participation of older persons in co-designing may reduce intergenerational tension.
There is often a gap between the ideal of involving older persons iteratively throughout the design process of digital technology, and actual practice. Until now, the lens of ageism has not been applied to address this gap. The goals of this study were: to voice the perspectives and experiences of older persons who participated in co-designing regarding the design process; their perceived role in co-designing and intergenerational interaction with the designers; and apparent manifestations of ageism that potentially influence the design of digital technology.
Twenty-one older persons participated in three focus groups. Five themes were identified using thematic analysis which combined a critical ageism ‘lens’ deductive approach and an inductive approach.
Ageism was experienced by participants in their daily lives and interactions with the designers during the design process. Negative images of ageing were pointed out as a potential influencing factor on design decisions. Nevertheless, positive experiences of inclusive design pointed out the importance of “partnership” in the design process. Participants defined the “ultimate partnership” in co-designing as processes in which they were involved from the beginning, iteratively, in a participatory approach. Such processes were perceived as leading to successful design outcomes, which they would like to use, and reduced intergenerational tension.
This study highlights the potential role of ageism as a detrimental factor in how digital technologies are designed. Viewing older persons as partners in co-designing and aspiring to more inclusive design processes may promote designing technologies that are needed, wanted and used.