Ergonomics and Inclusive Design: Innovative Medical Devices for Home Care

This paper discusses: Ergonomics in Design and design-oriented strategies for innovation, like Design Thinking and Human Centered Design, to orient the design of new products in order to satisfy the needs of the plurality of user profiles involved in home care. Social innovation and appropriate intervention strategies, to guarantee the adequacy of care and to increase the independence and participation of the frail in an active life, are some of the themes of social policy and research in the international context. The role of design is essential as a strategic instrument of innovation able to respond to the needs of man and, in this specific case, of persons with reduced independence. Design helps to orientate the planning of home care products by taking safety and ease of use into special consideration. This paper presents part of the research performed by the Florence University Laboratory of Ergonomics in Design (LED).