Transforming the Transition to Retirement for Women
Research project and app development
July 2023 - October 2023
Task: To identify the socialization and informational needs of retirees and design an app that facilitates activity planning, social connections and access to relevant information.
Research Team: Me and 2 other colleagues
Background
Current case study documents a research project undertaken as part of Introduction to Human Centered Design course, held by Acumen Academy, focusing on supporting women during their transition to retirement. The research identified significant challenges faced by women. This study inspired me to get further and create a prototype of the informational application named "RetireRight" to help retiring people find and participate in activities, stay updated on health news and connect with others.
My Role
In this project I conducted research with two colleagues to understand challenges faced by women transitioning to retirement. And led the design and development of the "RetireRight" application.
Research Background
Research indicates that retirement can trigger a decline in health and well-being, particularly among women. With the growing aging population, there is an increasing number of women experiencing multiple health issues, posing significant public health challenges. Retirement offers a pivotal opportunity for primary prevention interventions aimed at enhancing health outcomes and promoting healthier behaviors among women, who are particularly receptive to health messages during significant life transitions.
Purpose
- To gain a deeper understanding of women’s experiences during the transition to retirement.
- To define and achieve a vision of what well-being in retirement should encompass for women.
Methodology
- Semi-structured interviews conducted with women in pre-retirement, peri-retirement, and post-retirement stages to gather narratives about their retirement experiences.
- Collaborations with local councils, healthcare professionals, and voluntary agencies to understand the resources available and needed
Key Research Questions
- How have you planned for retirement?
- What surprises have you encountered since retiring?
- How have your health and physical activity levels changed post-retirement?
- What services or support do you believe could assist women during their transition to retirement?
Insights from data gathered
- Desire for more accessible and targeted information to help manage the transition more effectively.
- Not enough information about retirement, particularly regarding finance and health services.
- Social isolation and the loss of identity post-retirement are significant concerns.
- Our research revealed insights into the challenges confronting women in transition to retirement. For instance, many expressed concerns about the lack of accessible information regarding retirement planning and available resources. One participant emphasized, "It's all these things you need to know that must be so stressful if you don't know where to find that information."
- Financial concerns also loomed large, with participants highlighting the need for consistent and accessible financial advice. As one interviewee mentioned, "There's nothing! It's not as if it's advertised anywhere, particularly for support for finance."
- Furthermore, social isolation emerged as a big issue, with women expressing fear about making new connections and finding activities post-retirement. "Many women feel socially isolated once retired. They find it difficult to make new friends and feel confident attending things solo." remarked an interviewee.
Core themes identifed
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Proposed Solutions ("How Might We" Questions):
- How might we create a centralized, easily accessible resource to support women with the information needed for a successful and fulfilling retirement?
- How might we enhance the visibility and accessibility of retirement information to ensure it reaches those in need effectively?
Based on the research findings, we came up with several solutions to address the challenges faced by women approaching or experiencing retirement. These solutions aim to provide comprehensive support, enhance socialization, and ensure access to essential information.
- Retirement Fair
A fair where local and national agencies provide information and services like financial advice, health and exercise demos, social clubs and IT training workshops.
- Community Initiatives
Create a supportive environment where retired women can engage with their peers, participate in activities, and receive emotional and social support on a regular basis.
- Mental Health Support Programs
To promote mental well-being among retiring women by providing access to mental health resources and support networks.
Reflections & Takeaways
Research has highlighted a critical gap in the support available for women transitioning to retirement. Studies indicate that retirement can trigger a decline in health and well-being, especially among women who face unique challenges due to societal roles and expectations. A significant issue identified is the lack of accessible, relevant information and social support.
Retire Right: Design and Development
Based on the current research I decided to go further and create a prototype of a platform called Retire Right that will create a solution for all retirees by bridge the gap between excisting problems identified earlier and combine solutions we came up to.
Aim of the app is to help people stay active, informed, and connected, addressing their needs for socialization and reliable information.
The app’s design and features are guided by direct insights from the target users, making sure it meets their specific needs and preferences by introducing following features:
Activity Selection
Users can choose from a variety of activities, including sports, hobbies, financial planning workshops, health oriented seminars and volunteering opportunities. This helps them stay engaged and active.
Messaging Section
This feature allows users to connect with other app users, fostering new friendships and enabling easy communication.
Local News
A section dedicated to health-related news and updates relevant to retirees. This feature ensures users stay informed about important topics affecting their well-being.
Calendar Integrations
A user-friendly calendar to keep track of events, classes, and meetups. Users can add activities to the calendar, which will then provide reminders and show a daily, weekly, or monthly overview of planned activities.
Future Steps
As the app's development continues, there is significant potential for growth - expanding apps functionalities to offer even more value to its users. Future features could include:
- Event Recommendations: Personalized suggestions based on user interests and past activities.
- Virtual Meetups: Options for joining virtual events and meetings
- Health Tracking: Integration with health tracking devices to monitor physical activity and wellness.
- Community Forums: Spaces for users to discuss topics of interest and share experiences.
Final Thoughts
This research underscores the need for targeted interventions to support women transitioning into retirement, focusing on distribution of relevant information and community support services.
This mobile application aims to address the key needs identified through our research, providing retirees with the tool for staying active, informed and connected. With further development, the app will continue to evolve, offering even more features and improvements to enhance the retirement experience.
Retire Right App Prototype
