ABSTRACT
This paper shows an overview of how data about 80 characteristics of older people are collected in the period 1 993 - 1 998 in the Netherlands. These characteristics were physical, psychomotor, sensory and some cognitive iiom origin. The sample consists of 600 healthy 50-plus people and an additional sample of 1 50 people of age 20-30 to compare the results and to show an age eiIect, if existent. The first result was a book in 1 998 and several papers in joumals and conferences. Because the data are mainly used by designers, also a digital interface with an interactive tool was made. This tool is in ongoing development and is on a continuous basis improved with feedback from users . This tool is now used for more than ten years by thousands of students irom all over the world. Attention is given to the usefulness and limitations of this digital design tool.
