PRODUCT-ENHANCED SERVICE APPROACH FOR SENIORS

THIS PRODUCT IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE UTILITY OF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE TO OLDER PERSONS, EXTENDING THEIR SELF-CARE CAPABILITY. IT ACHIEVES THIS BY AUGMENTING THE METHODS OF AGING-SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ADDING PRODUCT INFORMATION SERVICES TO THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL. ULTIMATELY, IT WILL RESULT IN (1) THE REFINEMENT OF THIS APPROACH AND ITS ADOPTION BY AGING PROFESSIONALS ANDPROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; (2) A DATABASE OF MATURE MARKET PRODUCTS;AND (3) INFORMATION ABOUT HOW USE OF PRODUCTS COMPENSATES FOR FUNCTIONAL DECLINE. PHASE I TESTS THE FEASIBILITYU OF THIS APPROACH. WORKING THROUGH AGING NETWORK SERVICES, INC., NINE PRIVATE AGING PRACTITIONERS SUPPLY RELEVANT PRODUCT INFORMATION AND MAINTAIN A LOGBOOD OF CLIENT RESPONSES, TRACKING PURCHASE AND USE PATTERNS AND EXPLORING PERFORMANCE IMPACT. PHASE I ALSO EXPLORES WITH MANUFACTURERS THE DEGREE TO WHICH THEY WILL: PURCHASE PRODUCT-TESTING SERVICES, PAY MARKETING FEES FOR INCLUSION IN THE DATABASE, FACILITATE PRODUCT PURCHASE SERVICES (SUCH AS HOME DEMONSTRATIONS OR FREE TRIALS), EMPLOY METHODS TO ASSURE QUALITY, AND PROVIDE VOLUME BUYING DISCOUNTS. PHASE I EXPLORES POTENTIAL MARKET FEASIBILITY, WHETHER PRODUCTS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND PROFESSIONAL ACCEPTANCE. PHASE II WILL TRANSLATE THESE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS INTO A FULL-SCALE TEST OF THE APPROACH.