EFI Focus Study "Innovations for and by Older People"

According to public opinion, demographic change is often considered obstructive for innovations. However, elderly people are not at all hostile to innovations and should thus be involved in the process of innovation. Additionally, participation of elderly people in society demands innovations.

The first part of this project analyses the relationship between demographic ageing and innovations. The focus is on elderly people as innovators and how their full potential can be tapped. We do not only consider innovations in products, processes, services or organisations, but also social innovations. We aim at identifying barriers to the inclusion of elderly people in the process of innovation. The focus is on employed persons aged 50 and above. We analyse innovations of older employees, business formation, self-employed persons and good-practise examples.

In the second part of the project, we focus on innovative tools and aids which help persons aged 65 and older to cope with their everyday life. In this context, both participation in innovations and facilitated by innovations play an important role. We thus address questions regarding technical or economic entry requirements. We do not only focus the first stage in the process of innovation, but also acceptance and diffusion of technical innovations, tools and aids. The main topics of our analysis are housing and neighbourhood and care and rehabilitation. We also address the potential of innovations regarding value added and welfare and their impact on the participation of elderly individuals in society.

Regarding the methods we applied, we analysed literature and data, conducted interviews with experts and organised a workshop. Based on the results of these modules, we derived recommendations for actions, especially regarding innovation policy.

Report (in German)