Understanding the critical needs of older people : an aging perspective

Abstract

Much of the existing research on older people’s needs is based upon a popular understanding that older people are defined by age strata. However, from the perspective of the multidimensional meaning of aging, people’s age is a state that represents a process of change. It cannot be simply defined in years. This concept motivates us to explore the needs of older people from the perspective of aging. This study aims first, to provide a literature review on different aspects of aging in order to better understand the aging process. Second, having considered aging, a critical needs model was proposed. As a result, a design suggestion was made in order for designers to focus their attention on helping people find the meaning of life as a first principle.