AgeWell - Virtual coaching to support a healthy and meaningful life of older adults and employees in their retirement process

Zusammenfassung In den nächsten Jahren gehen geburtenstarke Jahrgänge in Pension. Dadurch steigt der Bedarf an alters- und bedarfsgerechten digitalen Lösungen für diese mittlerweile technikvertrautere Zielgruppe. Soziale Roboter bieten hier eine Möglichkeit der digitalen Unterstützung. Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit einem Kriterienkatalog, der eine systematische Auswahl von sozialen Robotern ermöglicht.

Background: Retirement is recognized as a factor influencing the ageing process. Today, virtual health coaching systems can play a pivotal role in supporting older adults' active and healthy ageing. This study wants to answer two research questions: (1) What are the user requirements of a virtual coach (VC) based on an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) for motivating older adults in transition to retirement to adopt a healthy lifestyle? (2) How could a VC address the active and healthy ageing dimensions, even during COVID-19 times? Methods: Two-wave focus-groups with 60 end-users aged 55 and over and 27 follow-up telephone interviews were carried out in Austria, Italy and the Netherlands in 2019-2020. Qualitative data were analysed by way of framework analysis. Results: End-users suggest the VC should motivate older workers and retirees to practice physical activity, maintain social contacts and emotional well-being. The ECA should be reactive, customizable, expressive, sympathetic, not directive nor patronizing, with a pleasant and motivating language. The COVID-19 outbreak increased the users' need for functions boosting community relationships and promoting emotional well-being. Conclusions: the VC can address the active and healthy ageing paradigm by increasing the chances of doing low-cost healthy activities at any time and in any place.

Background: Based on socio-economic and medical improvements as well as healthier lifestyles, a majority of baby boomer pensioners still feel fit and active and thus may struggle with transitioning into retirement. They could benefit from an ICT system to ease their transition into retirement and support general well- being. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to gain insights into the requirements for a digital coach to support their transition into retirement. Methods: Two rounds of focus groups with older employees close to retirement, people just retired and relatives of retired were conducted. Outcomes were then identified through a framework analysis and integrated into the design of a digital coach. Results: Four functional groups (i) physical activity, (ii) cognitive support, (iii) emotional support and (iv) social support were identified.