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1. Managing mental pressure
for Working Seniors
in UK
Design Futures
EE SHEN 1125916

2. Outline
1. Motivation (Context and Background)
2. Subject
3. KRQ / Aim / Objective / Methodology
4. Research:
4-1. Context/demographic (inline with point 1)
4-2. UK seniors’ mental pressure
4-3. Leisure time, existing organisations &
expert interviews
5. Key findings & Problems projected future
6. Prediction of the future design
7. Future Scenario
8. Reference/Appendix

3. Need for research
Why?

4. Research 1: Context and Background
1. Increase of ageing population in the UK
By 2025 1 in 5 People
in UK population will be
agedover 65.
-(www.beyondcurrenthorizons.org.uk)
-(ONS, 2011)
2. Extended working years for 65+ in the UK
In the UK, 77%
of
55s + plan to continue
working after retirement
age A proportion
-(Mintel, 2011)
of entire
labour force
-(ONS, 2011)

5. +65’s Future Working Life Trend
Business Political Economical Social
Competition with DRA (the Default Vital assets group Vital labors
young generation Retirement Age, (half rate of the force group
1st October 2011) nation's spending) (1,742,000)
Digital network/ Increased SPA (the
High technology State Pension Age
62  66 in 2025)
(Nominettrust, 2011) (ESDS Longitudinal, (ONS, 2006)
2012)
UK workers working more than 48 hours a week, over half of respondents reported ‘mental
exhaustion’ as a health problem, and around 40% reported feeling unable to cope at work. Around
20% said they were anxious, depressed or had ‘bad nerves.’
-(The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, 2001)

6. Working +65’s future needs (PIES analysis)
Physical needs I ntellectual needs Emotional needs Social needs
Learning Be treated as
Relaxation same as other Communication
desire
generation
BUT,
Age
Less free time Fatigue with discrimination,
technology Isolation
anxiety of
post-retirement
Cause
Mental stress at work “
“The workplace is one of the key environments that affect our mental well being and health
-World Health Organization (2000)

7. KRQ, Aim & Objectives
How can design help UK seniors spend their leisure time
Key Question effectively to reduce mental pressure from workplaces?
To Create a design strategy for UK’s working seniors
Aim to reduce mental pressure
Objectives
1.To investigate current
mental pressure of UK
seniors
2.To describe current
leisure types regarding
to relieve stress in
personal & social levels
3.To identify future
problem and gap
with target needs
4.To propose design
solution for future
working UK seniors
Methodology

8. Research 2: UK senior’s mental pressure
The mental pressures for working Seniors and the reasons…

9. Research 3: UK senior’s leisure time…
How UK seniors spend leisure time for mental relaxation?
aged 65 and over spend on
average 3h 45min a day
watching TV (or DVD/VIDEO)
Over 65s are *Later Life in the United Kingdom
estimated to spend www.ageuk.org.uk
an average of
73% of 65+
80% of their time
at home 48% of 65+ are
were involved
in leisure active in social
activities and activities in
hobbies in the their local area
last 2 weeks
Tourism Relaxation Exercise

10. … & existing organisations Key findings & Problems
Research 1 Research 2 Research 3
In 2025?
• Greater proportion of working seniors
• Insufficient program to relieve stress
in
"The ICT will make •leisure time
Greater proportion of working seniors
things easier for the
aging community
and motivate them Key finding
to do things"
-Dr. Hua Dong
”The challenge: Higher Demands & Low Supply
how can work be
leisure for older
people"
Design Opportunity!
-Ms. Farnaz N.

11. Future Design Solution
Assistive network service system supporting UK 65+
Sustainability
Offline
Local
Community
Center
Communication
Network
enjoying leisure time and
relieving stress
Bridge + Online
Door to Door gaining information Devices
Service
Usability Accessibility

12. Future Design Solution
Mentally Relaxing Service Design & Value
Stress relieving + extra info. Support Vital groups’ needs
> Individual value >Social value

13. Prediction of design futures
In the future, Design will be..
‘Communication Key’ for working
seniors
ons
make two-way communicati
Design helps UK seniors ress
rld to relive working st
with real and virtual wo

14. Prediction of design futures
Future Scenario

15. Future Scenario
ssionals
65+ working profe
in UK
longer
family working tim
e
declin responsibil
ing ph i
ysical ties
functi
ons
‘Per son a’

16. Persona & Scenario
At work: 1 h
Technology waiting for
& Age grandchild
Ann Wong (65) isolation at Café to
North London Stress pick him up
Ceramic appraiser
Working 5 days a week,
in a trade company
Caring for grandchild (6) Needs:
Relieve working stress of
technology assigned by
young manager Connect to
‘Virtual
Communication
Center’
Advisor of
dealer role Entertainment
suggests service,
learning card game
program with friends

17. Reference
Henderson, K. & Bialeschki, M. (2007). Leisure and Active Lifestyle, Leisure Sciences: An interdisciplinary Journal
Lucy Ward (2005). Later Life in the United Kingdom.
Guardian May 10, 2005. Young rely on parents for longer.
ESRC (2004). Quality of life in older age: Messages from the Growing Older Programme. UK: Help the Aged
Publishing Services. Available at www.ageuk.org.uk/documents/en-gb/for-professionals/communities-and-
inclusion/id4132_quality_of_life_in_older_age_messages_from_the_growing_older_programme_2004_pro.pdf
Accessed 6/2/12 .
Department of Trade and Industry, UK (2000).
das Dores Guerreiro, M., Barroso, M. & Rodrigues, E.A. (2008). Foresight Ageing Population Panel: LABOUR,
LEISURE AND LEARNING TASKFORCE. Available at www.foresight.gov.uk Accessed 6/2/12.
Sue Yeandle (2009). Future Trends for Quality of Life in Europe: Scenario Analysis. Deliverable of EU-project
Quality, Utrecht: Utrecht University.
Sheffield Hallam University. “Older workers and work–life balance”. UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available at
www.shu.ac.uk/research/csi Accessed 6/2/12
Loretto, W., Vickerstaff, S. & White, P. (2005). Universities of Edinburgh and Kent. “Older workers and options for
flexible work”. Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Working Paper Series No. 31. UK: EOC

18. Reference
Grundy, E. (2007). Population Ageing: Causes and Consequences. London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine, UK.
Cracknell, R. (2010). The ageing population: The UK’s ageing population has considerable consequences for public
services. Key Issues for the New Parliament 2010, House of Commons Library Research.Available at
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/value-for-money-in-
public-services/the-ageing-population/ Accessed 5/2/12
http://www.beyondcurrenthorizons.org.uk/review-of-longevity-trends-to-2025-and-beyond/
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2003/hsl03-02.pdf
Mintel (2011). A leading market research company. Available at http://www.mintel.com/press-centre/press-
releases/617/mintel-reveals-consumer-trends-for-2011 Accessed 28/2/12.
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/pubs/summary.php?id=errs16

19. Appendix
List of Interviewees (Experts)
Dr. Hua Dong
BEng (Industrial Design), Tongji University, China.
MA (Architecture Design and Theory), Tongji University, China.
PhD, University of Cambridge, UK.
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education,
Brunel University, UK.
Ms. Farnaz Nickpour
PhD Design, Brunel University.
MA (Distinction) Design Strategy & Innovation, Brunel University.
MA (Distinction) Industrial Design, University of Art, Tehran.
BA Industrial Design, University of Tehran.

20. Thank you