Toward improved co-designing home care solutions based on personas and design thinking with older users

The ability of human beings to live longer is an outstanding achievement of science in the 21st century. New technologies and innovations have an essential role in ensuring the well-being of the new generation. By adopting Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, it is possible to improve autonomy, security, and quality of life. However, designing IoT solutions for Home Care and older users brings new challenges to the Human–Computer Interaction field. Older users are heterogeneous and critical users of technology and interactive solutions. In this context, it is necessary to promote the participation of older users in the design process aiming at considering their specificities, intentions of use, and individual preferences and necessities. We propose a co-design method based on Design Thinking and Personas. Our research contributes to methods and a case study assessment regarding IoT-based Home Care solutions’ co-design. The proposed approach considers older users’ wishes and needs in an iterative, creative, and participatory way. We tested the proposed method in a case study with nine older adults. Results indicate the effectiveness and difficulties of involving older users in the design process. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how to carry out participatory activities with older adults in the context of Home Care.