The population of the developed world is ageing. In Scotland in 1960 the over -60's constituted 15% of the population; by 2025 this will increase to 29%. Even at present, those over 60 outnumber those under 16. This situation is compounded by changes in living arrangements, with fewer older people living with their children than in the past and more living alone or with similarly-aged spouses. There is enormous need to enable older people to live independently for longer.

Technology holds great potential in addressing this need. Household and kitchen appliances make household chores possible for the less able; telephones and personal alarm systems allow them to reach help in difficulties and emergencies; "Smart" systems turn off devices when they reach dangerous levels; and computers allow older people access to information from all over the world. In addition, technology holds many opportunities and much potential that has as yet hardly been explored for example, in the fields of entertainment, mobility and the support of memory.

Yet the take-up of technology by older people is lower than in the population as a whole. Better design to ensure that technology addresses the needs of older people may help to solve this problem. The challenge for designers is substantial; devices must be developed that are not just helpful, but useable, appropriate for older people and inclusive as well.

The UTOPIA project (Useable Technology for Older People: Inclusive and Appropriate) has been set up to address these issues. Based in the Computing Science departments at Glasgow, Dundee, Abertay and Napier Universities, it has now been running for 16 months. The teams have been investigating how technology can address the needs, desires and abilities of older people and how these factors can be taken into account in the design process.

The team in the University of Glasgow is especially interested in how technology can help older people outside their home environments, an important aspect in the ability to stay independent. Such technology presents particular challenges when designing for the older population because of the size and limitations of portable and handheld devices. It is particularly important to consider and integrate older people's needs, abilities and desires in this area.

Further Information is available from Dr Joy Goodman, Department of Computing Science, email: joy@dcs.gla.ac.uk

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First published: 27 May 2003