Shaping health together: practice from the project I-CARE-SMART

Issue In Austria 28% of the total population are over 60 years. In 2050 this number will increase up to 34%. Considering the growth of the elderly population, their needs should be include in the development of products and services from the beginning using co-creation methods. In the ongoing EU-funded project I-CARE-SMART the aim is an implementation of co-creation in product and service development for elderly people. Therefore a service should be built in the region to support start-ups, companies and service providers using co-creation. This service will be validated collecting patterns of seniors needs that are the basis of regional pilot actions. Description The project worked with a mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative methods. The results from a literature research were used as a basis for a co-creation approach with seniors discussing their needs for a self-determined life by using the Value Proposition Canvas. Additionally, journal entries were used describing their daily challenges in living self-determined at home. All results were resumed in a Design Thinking Workshop with experts to define 4 use cases/personas describing specific needs of seniors for the regional pilot actions. Results The 4 use cases were used in a regional and international call for proposals for businesses, start-ups and service providers. The winners of the call are offered a platform to work on social innovation for and with elderly people in a ongoing co-creation process for several months from 04/2021 to 09/2021 to develop customer-oriented solutions. Lessons Effects that can be achieved by means of co-creation in public health should not be underestimated. Not only the promotion of self-determination and satisfaction, but also cost savings for the health care system have already been demonstrated. Co-creation should be part of public health, the development of assistive technologies for patients and seniors as well as in the further development of health services. Key messages Co-Creation services should be part of research, design and development of solutions for elderly people. The idea of co-creation in health care is by no means new, but it is definitely forward-looking and has experienced a new upswing with the movements around co-creation of health.