Gathering the requirements for a fall monitor using drama and video with older people

A system providing fall detection and movement monitoring to support older people living at home using computer vision technology is being developed. Sensitive design with user involvement is important if such a system is to be experienced as supportive rather than invasive. Four scenarios, based on material from focus groups and anecdotal evidence, have been developed and performed by a theatre group. These feature older people falling at home with different outcomes and carers discussing an older person's needs. They were filmed and shown to three different groups of older people and a group of sheltered housing wardens to provoke discussion. This method of user requirements gathering provided a shared user context which enabled groups to focus very effectively on the details of a system at the pre-prototyping stages. The results of the discussions are described and the use of this methodology is discussed.