1. A living lab approach for studying
workplace innovation in elderly care
Ezra Dessers, Geert Van Hootegem, on behalf of KIO*
KU Leuven – Centre for Sociological Research, Leuven, Belgium
* KIO is an interuniversity consortium studying innovations in elderly care in Flanders
(Belgium). The consortium consists of Mark Leys (OPIH-VUB), Ellen Gorus (GERO-VUB),
Ezra Dessers & Geert Van Hootegem (CeSO-KUL), Marc Jegers (iCher), Patricia De
Vriendt (Arteveldehogeschool), Bart Jansen (ETRO-VUB), Bart Mistiaen & Bart
Grimonprez (HOWEST). The consortium is financed by the Agency for Innovation by
Science and Technology (IWT).
© 2013
6/17/2009 | 1

2. The challenge
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OECD:
– Cost for long term care will double by 2050
– Demand for long term care workers will double by 2050
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Vast majority of long term care recipients are over 65 years of age
Elderly care is important for developing a sustainable health care system
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4. An ageing population
(Source: Flanders Care)
 respond to challenges of ageing population: more chronic diseases and
increased dependence on care
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5. Various initiaves
•
•
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Strategic and Fundamental Research
Stimulating enterpreneurship and innovation
…
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6. What are living labs?
Knowledge Focus
Single and
Controlled Contexts
Multiple and
Emerging Contexts
High:
Observation
and Creation
Traditional Lab
Experimentation
Living Lab
Experimentation
Low:
Observation
Traditional
Empirical Social
Science Research
Ethnographical
Observation
Degree of
Participation
(Source: Eriksson, Niitamo & Kulkki, 2005)
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7. Living Labs in Elderly Care in Flanders
•
10 million EURO
– 8 million for 4 platforms, with each multiple projects
– 2 million for scientific support and evaluation
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Launched in September 2013
Duration: 3 years
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8. Home
delivery of
medication
Time2Care
Topshake
Case management
and guidance within
a local homecare
network
Suitable living for
elderly
Development of
informal community
care networks
PRO DOMO:
Types of
dwelling
Elderly impact
assessment
(screening by
elderly people)
Diabetes
management
for residents of
assisted living
centres
Therapy loyalty
and medication
safety
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10. Scientific consortium
Support
Scientific
analysis and
evaluation
Communication
of scientific
insights
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11. Workplace Innovation / STS
•
Support:
– Living lab projects (so far) are mainly focused on technological and / or product
innovations.
 suggesting how process and workplace innovation could be introduced in existing and
new projects
•
Analysis and evaluation:
– quality of labour for workers (job content, demands, control, stress…)
– quality of organisation (production structure, control structure, process fragmentation,
coordination …) within and between organisations
 Surveys, organisation scans, inter-organisational network scans
•
Communication
– Information on possible impacts of interventions on quality of work and organisation
– Information on opportunities of workplace innovation / STS for sustainable elderly care
systems
 Communication: academic and practice-oriented reporting of results
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12. Thank you
Ezra Dessers
Centre for Sociological Research
KU Leuven
ezra.dessers@soc.kuleuven.be
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