THRIVE
Building a network of digital support services and civic community spaces for adults aging in place
IA Collaborative
AXD Lead / Interaction Design Principal
IA Collaborative
AXD Lead / Interaction Design Principal
CHALLENGE
Research shows that aging in place poses the greatest benefit for longevity and happiness. According to the CDC, aging in place is the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. As America's Baby Boomers enter retirement and beyond, traditional models for aging are being challenged by profound shifts in family structure, economic security, social norms, and technology that have emerged since they entered adulthood. By 2020, 117 million older adults are expected to need assistance of some kind, and represent a potential of over $13.5 trillion of economy activity each year by 2032.
Develop a new service for aging adults who chose to remain in their homes that helps them thrive as they get older and cope with lifestyle changes
Research shows that aging in place poses the greatest benefit for longevity and happiness. According to the CDC, aging in place is the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. As America's Baby Boomers enter retirement and beyond, traditional models for aging are being challenged by profound shifts in family structure, economic security, social norms, and technology that have emerged since they entered adulthood. By 2020, 117 million older adults are expected to need assistance of some kind, and represent a potential of over $13.5 trillion of economy activity each year by 2032.
OUTCOME
After extensive research and co-creation with aging adults, we developed Thrive: a coordinated, person-centered platform that disrupts the negative feedback loop between disengagement and decreased autonomy by focusing on two key needs: keeping aging adults in their homes, and maintaining their connections to community.
ThriveHome is an assessment-driven platform that connects aging adults to products and services that help them adapt their homes for aging in place. Outside the home, ThriveVillage is the "future of the community center"—center:” A shared, multi-purpose space that enables aging adults to stay an engaged member of the community and deepen their sense of belonging.
After extensive research and co-creation with aging adults, we developed Thrive: a coordinated, person-centered platform that disrupts the negative feedback loop between disengagement and decreased autonomy by focusing on two key needs: keeping aging adults in their homes, and maintaining their connections to community.
ThriveHome is an assessment-driven platform that connects aging adults to products and services that help them adapt their homes for aging in place. Outside the home, ThriveVillage is the "future of the community center"—center:” A shared, multi-purpose space that enables aging adults to stay an engaged member of the community and deepen their sense of belonging.
RESEARCH
Facing the “cliff of aging”
Spending time with 40 aging adults in their homes throughout metropolitan Chicago led to a striking finding.
Across race, gender, and income, aging adults perceive their sense of autonomy as basically stable until, at some point, they become "too old." When that day comes, they will have to find others to help them take on everyday life. Because of this dependence, the "cliff of aging" consequently also unravels their sense of self.
Across race, gender, and income, aging adults perceive their sense of autonomy as basically stable until, at some point, they become "too old." When that day comes, they will have to find others to help them take on everyday life. Because of this dependence, the "cliff of aging" consequently also unravels their sense of self.
CURRENT STATE
Actually, aging is highly dynamic
It’s not as simple as the cliff of aging—aging adults have lived through a lot, and are resilient to the intense change that comes with aging.
After becoming empty nesters, retiring from a distinguished career, losing a partner or a home, facing financial insecurity, or even overcoming multiple medical challenges, they still felt more satisfied with life—and optimistic about the future—than they ever had.
After becoming empty nesters, retiring from a distinguished career, losing a partner or a home, facing financial insecurity, or even overcoming multiple medical challenges, they still felt more satisfied with life—and optimistic about the future—than they ever had.
“To me, this spirit that I’m in is the best spirit of my whole life. I didn’t know aging could be so rich. I prefer this to when I was younger.”
BARBARA, 74
“I’m starting to realize that it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s easier that way!”
SAM, 71
“Even though I will be getting older, I'll be getting slower...but I still I think I should be in control.“
GERALDINE, 77
“I can’t walk fast. I used to race—forget that. I used to be a ballet dancer—not happening. But look at all that I’m doing; I have a warm circle of supportive friends, my children like me, and I’m comfortable.”
ANNA, 79
I can do everything in terms of what I call “survival living” by walking...I’ve been very comfortable here. I’ll never live anywhere as conveniently located again.”
MAX, 70
BARBARA, 74
“I’m starting to realize that it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s easier that way!”
SAM, 71
“Even though I will be getting older, I'll be getting slower...but I still I think I should be in control.“
GERALDINE, 77
“I can’t walk fast. I used to race—forget that. I used to be a ballet dancer—not happening. But look at all that I’m doing; I have a warm circle of supportive friends, my children like me, and I’m comfortable.”
ANNA, 79
I can do everything in terms of what I call “survival living” by walking...I’ve been very comfortable here. I’ll never live anywhere as conveniently located again.”
MAX, 70
Before
A mix of approaches and emotions![]()
A mix of approaches and emotions
INSIGHTS
A better model for aging
Just like the rest of life, aging is an evolution. Instead of a cliff, it’s is an opportunity to grow a sense of self independent of autonomy. Even while accepting help, aging adults can flourish by strengthening connections to home and community. To take on this evolution deliberately, aging adults need help to—
1. Optimize their daily life
2. Deepen their sense of belonging
3. Activate a path forward.
Whether they planned extensively or just want to take it as it comes, older adults should feel confident about aging, not anxious.
1. Optimize their daily life
2. Deepen their sense of belonging
3. Activate a path forward.
Whether they planned extensively or just want to take it as it comes, older adults should feel confident about aging, not anxious.
After
Confidence, no matter how you plan for aging.![]()
Confidence, no matter how you plan for aging.
DESIGN
Concept platforms for the future of aging
After extensive ideation around insights synthesized from research, we developed four service concepts to explore further. Each service approached a different set of challenges to aging in place and was designed to meet aging adults where they are, respond to their specific needs, and change over time.
ReNester / Trusted products and services for adapting the home
Aging Advisor / Collaborative post-retirement advising service
Gather / A third-place and community hub for aging adults
Living, Assisted / A hub for coordinating a team of caregivers
Aging Advisor / Collaborative post-retirement advising service
Gather / A third-place and community hub for aging adults
Living, Assisted / A hub for coordinating a team of caregivers
UX wireframing and prototype validation
During co-creation with aging adults, our team used low-fidelity stimulus such as card sorts, wireframes, and paper examples of different components of each service experience to prioritize features and ideal level of interactivity. We used this method for validating our prototypes in order to understand how to build greater relevancy for a user group that participates less in digital services.
Gather Prototype
The prototype for Gather showed a completely new kind of service.
Co-creation focused on what might drive adoption of Gather, the relevancy, quality, and accessibility of offerings, and what social behaviors reinforce or pose a challenge to this service.
ReNester Prototype
Since everybody’s home, and sense of home, is different the ReNester prototype focused on whether older adults would use or even trust an online assessment to identify needs and make a plan, and then take on periodic follow-up assessments to adjust.
A service platform for the aging journey
ThriveHome
ThriveVillage
THRIVE
Scalable, Actionable, Flexible
Thrive takes a deep look at your situation and responds to changes as they occur. Big or small, Thrive meets you where you are. Simple or complex, it’s a guide and a doer. And Thrive stays with you as long as you need, whether you need a companion or just a pinch hitter.
It’s always tailored to your house and community, life and lifestyle, and sense of self.
It’s always tailored to your house and community, life and lifestyle, and sense of self.
Flexibility with your aging advisor,
or without one
As your situation changes, your Thrive aging advisor checks in with you to update your plan. Or, you can reassess whenever it makes sense.
Getting ready to have that knee replacement? ThriveHome updates your Action Plan and helps you select the right grab bar for your bathroom and a trusted servicer to install it. Thrive always knows when to follow up, and can even coordinate social visits through ThriveVillage so that you stay connected during recovery.
Getting ready to have that knee replacement? ThriveHome updates your Action Plan and helps you select the right grab bar for your bathroom and a trusted servicer to install it. Thrive always knows when to follow up, and can even coordinate social visits through ThriveVillage so that you stay connected during recovery.
ThriveVillage House—
the "senior center" for everybody
We already know that being connected to community, and maintaining a strong sense of place, is a critical part of enabling aging adults to stay in their homes. Having spaces outside the house that reinforce that belonging is not that common.
That’s why we created ThriveVillage House: a shared, multi-purpose space that helps aging adults stay engaged in the community and deepen their sense of place. It’s an alternative to the senior centers and assisted living facilities that currently define what architecture and building types look like for older adults. A semi-public network of locations with mixed programming and amenities for multiple generations, ThriveVillage House envisions an architecture of dignity and interaction both for aging adults and the communities that support them.
That’s why we created ThriveVillage House: a shared, multi-purpose space that helps aging adults stay engaged in the community and deepen their sense of place. It’s an alternative to the senior centers and assisted living facilities that currently define what architecture and building types look like for older adults. A semi-public network of locations with mixed programming and amenities for multiple generations, ThriveVillage House envisions an architecture of dignity and interaction both for aging adults and the communities that support them.