Philippa Aldrich runs The Future Perfect Company.  She had experience of trying to make life easier for friends and relatives who were facing the challenges of later life.  She found that the products that could help looked horribly dreary.  Good design had been completely overtaken by functionality.  Philippa was determined to champion the need for thoughtful design for useful products for people getting older.  In 2009, she set up The Future Perfect Company.

Changing demographics

The population of the UK is ageing.  People over 60 outnumber the under-16s for the first time and the number of over-85s has increased five-fold since 1951.  At the current rate, in 23 years, almost a quarter of the population will be over 65.

This demographic shift has huge implications for the population in these age groups and also for their families. Philippa explains: “People now want and need to stay active for longer; they want and need to stay independent and in their own homes for longer; and they want and need to work for longer. And they should be able to do all this in a way which is fun, positive and life enhancing.”

Well-designed, innovative and practical products

The Future Perfect Company offers all kinds of products that combine practicality with great design.

For the kitchen, there are Good Grips tools, cleverly-designed saucepans that are easier to lift, and bright, two-handled mugs and teapots.

Gardening and sport are made easier with gloves that provide wrist support and increase grip.  Healthy Back Bags take the strain if you have to carry a bag.

Skin-care products and super-soft pretty socks are there for comfort.  There are directional lamps to give some extra light for reading or working.  A great range of files and journals can help to get organised with anything from recipes and journeys to birthdays, family information, and important documents.

Driving awareness

Society is changing as people live longer.  Business models and products need to adapt to this change.  As well as offering products, Philippa works with business networks and universities about the importance of meeting the needs and requirements of older consumers.  For example, she works with the University of Brighton on a competition to encourage young designers to create a product that addresses a challenge associated with ageing.

Find out more

Take a look at what The Future Perfect Company does at www.thefutureperfectcompany.com or follow on Twitter as @thfutureperfect.

It’s a great place to find presents for yourself, or for a friend or relative.  It’s also a place that makes you think: a pause for thought about the challenges that come with later life – and about how you respond to older consumers in what you make, do, or sell.