Health, Wealth & Well Being

During challenging times we see the most impactful periods of change.

This is particularly applicable today when we look at the issue of health and wellbeing. Our population is aging, by 2031 in the UK over 22% of the population will be aged 65 and over - compared to 18% aged 16 or younger. Although we are living longer, we are not living healthier and the picture is of an aging population that needs a different approach to support our everyday lifestyle needs.

Staying well and enjoying life in our older lives, means having access to products that enable us to remain independent for longer, staying in our homes, in communities, rather than isolated in care homes. At Triteq we understand that intelligent product design that encompasses future living needs has never been so vital.

Triteq are an innovative team with a proven ability in successful product design. With extensive experience across many industry sectors that sit at the heart of health and wellbeing. Our range of case studies illustrates our expertise and understanding and our commitment to product excellence.

Although we are living longer, we are not necessarily living healthier. Our future needs will be for products that helps us to manage our changing requirements and our everyday lifestyles needs. Staying well and enjoying independent living in our older lives, means having access to products that enable us to remain in our homes, and in our communities.

The term Assisted Living emerged in the 1990s and described a way of introducing care for people, normally seniors, for whom complete independent living is no longer possible but who do not need the 24-hour medical care provided by a nursing home. Assisted living is a philosophy that promotes independence and dignity.

It is about understanding the needs and wants of the individual, it calls for a people centred design approach, focusing on product design that gives people greater choice and sustained independence in their daily lives.

So who is buying assisted living products- and who has the most influence?

Recognising the need is the most important, if people don’t see the product as useful and relevant then how can they imagine themselves using it? If we can design products that the older generation really enjoy, we are creating a significant marketing opportunity with those aged 50 and over making up 34% of the population, 51% of food & grocery spend, and 80% of disposable income. In the food sector key demands from this group are for clearer labelling, smaller pack sizes and healthy product formulations. They also prioritise customer service and ease of shopping.*

Looking ahead- the fastest population increase has been in the number of those aged 85 and over, the ’oldest old‘. In 1983, there were just over 600,000 people in the UK aged 85 and over. Since then, the numbers have more than doubled, reaching 1.3 million in 2008. By 2033 the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to more than double again to 3.2 million, and to account for 5% of the total population. Success in this market begins with understanding users, what are the barriers and what are the enablers? How easy is it to find the right products for specific groups?

At Triteq we know that what our designs can make an enormous difference to many lives. We appreciate that successful product design in this market is about the opportunity to improve lives; good design adds value to business even in a recession. Truly effective product design emerges from experiencing people’s worlds, capturing emotions as they use a product or struggle to do something that could be made more inclusive and create a more enjoyable experience.

Design means asking the right questions and making observations – something that is a fundamental part of the way our design team work to ensure that we deliver.

Talk to us today on 01488 684554, visit our website, or contact angela.hobbs@triteq.com

*Source: IGD website on National Statistics for the Food & Grocery Industry.