Human scale development : conception, application and further reflections

What are the care needs of the relevant older adult population?  Many of the needs of older people could be addressed, or partly addressed through technological solutions. We have to understand their needs and incorporate them into the design of  the training of the carers.  Max-Neef classifies the fundamental human needs as: subsistence, protection, affection, understanding, participation, recreation (in the sense of leisure, time to reflect, or idleness), creation, identity and freedom. Needs are also defined according to the existential categories of being, having, doing and interacting, and from these dimensions, a 36 cell matrix is developed which can be filled with examples of satisfiers for those needs..

Max-Neef classifies the fundamental human needs as: subsistence, protection, affection, understanding, participation, recreation (in the sense of leisure, time to reflect, or idleness), creation, identity and freedom. Needs are also defined according to the existential categories of being, having, doing and interacting, and from these dimensions, a 36 cell matrix is developed which can be filled with examples of satisfiers for those needs..

The matrix represents a complex, non-hierarchic system with 36 cells defining a set of the so-called “satisfiers” assigned to the needs-category pair. The matrix can help pinpoint how needs are best satisfied. Questionnaire surveys will be conducted in every partner country with standardised samples for unbiased comparison (e.g. matched on type of location, standard of living, education, age, and gender) to complete the matrix to this effect. A deeper understanding of the target group (e.g. motivations, attitudes, emotions etc.) will be achieved using focus groups to record user stories, life-situations, and how the intended software can improve their quality of life.

Max-Neef, M.A., Elizalde, A., Hopenhayn, M.: Human scale development : conception, application and further reflections, New York: The Apex Press, 1991.