Interview: 'Creative method research activates older adults during corona'
21-06-2021
Enough exercise in the various lockdowns during the corona pandemic. A challenge for many. Especially for the vulnerable and the elderly. Researchers from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences analyzed the exercise needs of the elderly during the corona pandemic. The focus of the projects from the Centers of Expertise Creative innovation, and Urban Vitality – was not only on exercise, but also on the application of smart technology and mental well-being.
'Our research started in February 2020', says Berber Nauta, lecturer-researcher at the AUAS Exercise Therapy course. 'To stay fit, the elderly need physical activity. How do you support them in this with (smart) technology? What do they need? And how can therapists connect with this?'
'On the day the first lockdown started, we had just prepared our first creative session,' adds Marije Kanis. Kanis is a senior researcher at Digital Life and a graduate teacher at the AUAS Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD) course. ‘Normally you sit down with the elderly. You demonstrate technology to them. Elderly people try things out and inspire each other. Because this was not possible, we needed a new research method. Our research question changed: how do older people move during corona and what do they need in terms of digital support?
One week in the life of....
Marije Kanis: 'Because we weren't allowed to meet, we started with an online questionnaire. For example, we discovered that the elderly found it difficult to form an idea of the possibilities of technology. Completely remote. They had too few starting points.' Nauta adds: 'When asked which technology they can use for customized exercise, we often received no answer or the feedback that they did not need it. Then they wrote enthusiastically about their pedometer.'
Kanis: 'In order to develop a new research method, we sought out collaboration with students from the AUAS minor Designing User Research. Together we developed a toolkit. A package called 'One week in the life of…'. It consisted of an activity diary, activity cards and a fitness band. In addition, the package contained a folder with tips and tricks about exercise in combination with (smart) technology and about exercise with the fitness band. We sent the toolkit to 20 elderly people and received the completed diary and activity cards of 15 participants back.'
Salsa after the dishes
'The elderly were allowed to fill in the diary for a week,' Nauta continues. For example, we asked about their mood rating and their plans for the day. At the end of each day, people could indicate what worked and what did not. There was an assignment on each spread. For example, to make a collage about the place where participants like to move. In addition, they were allowed to show how they felt physically with a drawing. For example, we saw that the elderly like to visit nature and, much more than we thought, are concerned with their mental state.'
The activity cards were intended to discover which activities older people undertake. ‘On the front, participants entered the type of activity and the time. On the back they answered questions such as: how happy did it make you? For example, on one of the cards we read that a couple danced the salsa in the kitchen in the evening after washing the dishes and enjoyed it immensely.'
From 'The Netherlands In Motion' to YouTube
The research method used turned out to be an inspiring one for the elderly. Kanis: 'We stimulated the elderly much more to get to work themselves and to think about ways in which they exercise. And what are their needs in terms of (smart) technology and support? We saw, for example, that many elderly people went outside. Cycling and walking.'
Nauta: 'Thanks to our tips, our participants made extensive use of the opportunities to exercise online or in front of the television. For example, through a TV program such as Nederland in Beweging!. There was also a lady who searched YouTube for videos about her hobby: line dancing. She was dancing in her living room for a day.' Kanis: 'The elderly became very aware of their own exercise behavior and digital options. Some were surprised at their activity. Others saw that they could focus a little more on it. Many participants wanted to continue using the fitness band.'
Student projects
Kanis and Nauta also find added value of the research that various students participated. From the minor Designing User Research, the minor Healthcare Technology and the Enterprise Web Application course. Kanis: 'Together with students from the Minor in Healthcare Technology, we evaluated the toolkit among professionals, for example. We discovered that healthcare professionals especially see added value in the self-reflection of a client and the ability to respond to daily, personal needs.'
In addition to their research materials, both researchers published articles about their findings. What did they find most special about the whole process? Nauta: 'I thought it was a pleasure to be able to open all personal diaries.' Kanis found creative innovation at a distance very valuable. "In times of lockdown you are cut off from everything and everyone. If you can activate participants like this, that's great.'
NB. This interview has also appeared on the website of Urban Vitality of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.