The Needs and Behaviors of the Elderly in Existing and Future Restaurants

현재와 미래 외식공간에 대한 노인의 이용행태와 요구에 관한 연구

The world is changing drastically by digital information technology and ubiquitous networking. Meanwhile, with the demographic avalanche, South Korea officially became an 'ultra-aging society' in 2026. Simultaneously, this demographic change will also stimulate a cultural climate which facilitates the formation and dissemination of 'slow culture' from the existent urban 'fast culture' which has been weakening the retirement living. One of the fundamental connections with the slow movement appears in the cooking and dining area. With this point of view, this study aims to identify the needs and behaviors of the elderly in current restaurants and a digitally planned multi-purpose one for the future. Small group workshop was employed for this study. In order to elicit detailed information from the elderly group members, scenarios were developed. A group facilitator kept the discussion on track by asking a series of open-ended questions meant to stimulate discussion. As the results, it was revealed that the elderly were interested in digitally planned restaurant which provides one-stop service including entertainment activities, health related contents and socializing with family. Even though this study took restaurant scenarios, the ideas in them also provide holistic perspectives on the direction of marketing and planning strategies on various future environments and services.