Testing and Development of Computer Games for Older Adults
– Researchers from Malmö University in collaboration with the City of Malmö.
Service users and healthcare and social care staff have collaborated with researcher Jeanette Eriksson at Malmö University on proposed concepts for services for older adults. Both existing and new games and apps were tested together with older adults at a special housing facility and at three day care centers. This led to the development of new computer games adapted to be more accessible to the target group.
Tablets are also used more frequently today, especially in daily activities, such as listening to music and searching for information. “Computer Club representatives” have been introduced into the program, both in daily activities and in special housing. Tablets and computer games are a natural part of the program, and tablets will continue to be used by the elderly and their families.
Here you can watch a video about video games in healthcare and social services.
Testing of the Triage Handbook app and healthcare and social services links on a touchscreen
– Companies in partnership with the City of Malmö.
Nurses at Fosie Home Care in the Söder City District Administration have tested apps and links on touchscreen devices. Among other things, they tested the Triage app, which is used as a decision-making tool for assessments between different levels of care.
The Triage Manual is an assessment guide developed for licensed healthcare professionals by medical experts in Region Skåne. The manual is a tool designed to help nurses determine the most appropriate level of care for a patient, such as self-care, a health center, or emergency care. The system is based on the principle that all assessments are equivalent—regardless of who performs them—and the Triage App serves as an assessment tool.
The study showed that the Triage App helped patients become more involved in their own care, feel more secure, and spend more time with their nurse. For nurses, the result was reduced stress, faster and more reliable assessments, and improved skills.
The triage app and the collaboration won the 2015 Vitalis Grant. Home healthcare providers continue to use touchscreen devices in their daily work to improve quality for both patients and staff.
Here you can watch a short video about the testing of the Triage Handbook app.
Concept Proposal – Services for the Elderly
– Service design students from Malmö University in collaboration with the City of Malmö.
Service design students at Malmö University presented concept proposals for services for older adults at a workshop in April 2014. The proposals focused on services aimed at both clients and staff in home care, based on aspects such as safety, security, and social interaction. The students had developed the basis for the service proposals by observing healthcare and social care staff and meeting with home care service users, including at the Havsuttern and Lekatten assisted living facilities in Malmö.
Field studies were conducted in the urban areas of Norr, Söder, and Innerstaden. The university and the test bed project collaborated on the implementation of the course “Methods for Interaction Design: Service Design.” A total of 22 students participated, divided into four groups. The responsible section heads served as contact persons for each group and were available to provide advice and support to the students throughout the process. Concept proposals:
- Share-pad to strengthen family ties – Home care services lend out tablets to help seniors stay in touch with their loved ones, for example via Skype, with support from healthcare and care staff.
- Technology as a Resource – Accessible technology solutions that a team within the enhanced home care service in the City of Malmö can use to benefit both users and staff.
- Flexi-Service – This service provides flexibility in home care by allowing users to book on-demand assistance from home care providers, including for social activities.
- The AKTIV Service – a service that facilitates carpooling to activities of mutual interest.
Testing and Evaluation of Digital Locks – Keyless Home Care Services
– Companies in partnership with the City of Malmö.
The Balladen home care group tested Tunstall’s locking system, which features digital key fobs and electronic locks. The goal was to raise awareness of the benefits of digital locks and keys as part of an effort to further enhance safety for service users in the area and improve workplace safety in connection with keyless home care services.
Among other things, the test showed that users felt safer after the electronic lock was installed, staff felt more secure at work, and the system saved time.
The test bed has also participated in evaluations of digital locks as part of pilot projects featuring solutions from Tieto, Phoniro, Intraphone, and Bekey. A procurement process for digital keys is currently underway in the City of Malmö (2016).
Video robot test
– City of Malmö
The home care service in the Söder City District Administration tested a mobile video robot that was used in Malmö City’s demonstration environment—specifically, in a user’s home. The aim was to evaluate the benefits for both individuals and the service based on the experiences of the user, their family members, and the staff.
Video communication via a mobile robot was viewed positively, and there were areas for improvement in the existing model. The tests yielded suggestions for new applications for a mobile video robot. Future work will involve testing additional digital solutions designed to enhance safety in collaboration with companies, for users who have personal safety alarms.
Testing of an activity guide for seniors
– Companies in partnership with the SeniorNet association.
Members of the SeniorNet Malmö association tested the functionality of the website aktivitetsguiden.se (test site, Oct. 2013), which was designed to connect seniors with activities and volunteers in their local area, with the aim of promoting a more active and social life. The service was developed by the company and municipalities in Stockholm County as part of a feasibility study on new technology in collaboration with nonprofit organizations.
A number of workshops, meetings, seminars, as well as knowledge circles and study circles have also been held, both internally within the City of Malmö and in collaboration with Malmö University, the business community, the nonprofit sector, and citizens.