Chengyu Wang, Hanyu Zeng & Yidi Xu
Delivery Accessibility Improvement for Older Adults in Tompkins County
Emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic block citizens' access to daily necessities, but technology makes many services accessible via smartphones and the internet. There is a large older adults population in Tompkins County who live separately from their children and don't use these services. This project is aimed to analyze and address the challenges they're facing regarding online delivery ordering.
There is a gap between older adults and delivery services accessibility
• Many of them believe they don't need online delivery services, think ing it’s not impo rtant because they can do everything by themselves. However, t h ere are always emergencies wh ere they can't do i t themselves.
•
• They often mistakenly think ordering online delivery services is co mplicated or exp ensive, so they are reluctant to learn about and use these services. They are interested in using online delivery services but don't know which stores offer delivery services and whether they are within the delivery range.
• M any can’t take advantage of technology because they don’t know how to use delivery apps.
Challenges or concerns while using delivery apps
Difficulty navigating apps or websites
Security and privacy concerns
Difficulty in understanding product descriptions
Concerns about hidden fees
" People crave connection and convenience, and a tech-linked world serves both well"
Help older adults overcome challenges in accessing delivery service
Data Collection
• Collect delivery information for each grocery store and pharmacy in the county, including whether they provide store delivery and third party deliver y, as well as the delivery range, and charges.
• Online survey and interview with local older adults and delivery drivers.
Data Analysis and Visualization
• Synthesize the data and feedback, make them into Table Chart, Pie Chart and Buffer Zone Maps.
Charges of the Delivery Services
Through the interviews with older adults and delivery drivers, we understood seniors’ usage patterns, preferences, and obstacles in ordering delivery sevices. By collecting data, we integrated the delivery methods and ranges of grocery stores and pharmacies. Based on the data, we processed integration and visualization to make the delivery information of each store easier to check. We believe our fndings will help to create an educational program to enhance seniors' skills in using online delivery services.
Delivery Information Chart (Pharmacies)
Kinney Drugs
Kinney Drugs
(have
free, 10 miles (everyday delivery in the moring)
free, 10 miles (have morning delivery service only on Mon/Wed/Fri) Kinney
free, 6 miles (Mon,Tue,Wed,Thur in the morning)
Pharmacy
Nature's Apothecary
Delivery Range (Areas covered in the county)
Pharmacy Delivery e
• Most p harmacies who cooperate with third p ar ties generally provide 8-10 miles deliver y, and more businesses involved with third parties. In articular, the Wegman s pharmacy's delivery range covers the whole county by Instacart. n comparison to its store delivery, the range of thirdparty delivery is i er
Grocery Store Delivery e
• The average delivery range of both store and third p arty is 8 miles, except Wegman s wh i h serves anywhere within 60 min tes driving distance (which covers the whole county) from the store (+$5 for every 30 mins additional driving distance).
Recommendations
• Deli very Accessibilit y Enhancement : Di stribu te delivery accessibility maps, delivery information charts and tutorial brochures to every older adult in the county.
• Training Provision: Brochure of everything you need to know about online delivery services, Tutorial video, Faceto-face workshop. Collect feedback, and continually adjust educational materials to align with users' needs.
• Community Involvement: Establish a network of volunteers, older adults, and community members to achieve pair help for problem-solving. Collaborate with third parties and Stores in the county to share in r ati n