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Metropolis Editors, Natural Habitat, sustainability, sustainable architecture

METROPOLIS Introduces Natural Habitat, a Sustainable Homes Video Series

The series debuts with a tour of a tranquil upstate New York retreat designed with Passive House principles.

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October 22, 2018

5 Products and Services Designed to Help the Elderly Maintain Their Autonomy

Offerings from companies like Flexsteel, Philips, Honor, and American Standard help meet the varied needs of seniors.

By: Avinash Rajagopal

design aging products
San Francisco–based Honor’s Family app connects older adults with caregivers who can help them at home, performing a range of services such as medication reminders, fitness support, transport, meal prep, personal care, and occasional check-in visits. Courtesy the manufacturer

In order to create products and services that stay relevant as people age, designers cannot fall into the trap of trying to control every aspect of people’s lives, or assuming that seniors are a monolithic group who share the same needs. As the solutions here show, there is plenty more work to be done to develop sensitive designs that support older adults while preserving their autonomy.

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