In the City of Copenhagen, a private consulting company, Copenhagen Living Lab saw the potential for improving the quality of life for elderly people in a nursing home. Copenhagen Living Lab acted as a mediator between the nursing home and companies that were interested in participating in finding ways to improve life in the nursing home.

The private consulting company, Copenhagen Living Lab, approached the City of Copenhagen with the suggestion of starting a process to uncover how the quality of elderly people in nursing homes can be improved.

The project was divided into two phases. First, factors that influence the quality of life for elderly people would be uncovered by using ethnographic methods. Secondly, private companies were invited to collaborate on developing new products and services which could improve the elderly people’s quality of life. The first phase is completed, and the findings were presented at a conference where 36 private companies and organisations participated. Eight areas related to improving everyday life for the elderly were identified.

The City of Copenhagen has recognised that there is an actual interest from the private sector to take part in solving social needs.

Presently five companies are developing new aids for elderly people. It is expected that several new products and services will be presented during 2009.

Source: Copenhagen Living Lab, 2009.

For more details on this case, contact FORA at FORA@newnatureofinnovation.org.