Promoting Healthy Ageing: An Interview-Based Study to Explore Ageing Workers’ Interests and Perceived Barriers

The physiological ageing process brings several physical, perceptual and cognitive declines that become evident before the individual reaches the old age. Still, an active and healthy lifestyle can slow down and smooth the impact of those deficits. To help ageing individuals undertake and maintain correct habits, different technological solutions have been proposed and experimented. However, the actual knowledge and interest by ageing individuals have been understudied so far. In the present work, we contribute to filling this research gap by reporting a small-scale interview-based study (N = 14) with ageing workers. We have explored their awareness and interest regarding healthy lifestyles, and their habits. We found that respondents had a positive attitude toward technology, and a general interest in pursuing healthy nutrition and keeping physically active. Yet, they did so without following strict plans and without relying on external supports. Importantly, it emerged that the information to which they relied, is mainly outdated or comes from generalist sources, highlighting the need to provide them with easy access to solid information. Our findings draw initial indications for the design of mobile apps meant to foster healthy and active ageing.