Definition and classification criteria of logistics services for elderly

An ageing population is a natural and inevitable phenomenon that constitutes an opportunity for the development of the logistics services industry. This is related to the fact that a new demographic profile of the world is determined by a growing number of customers — seniors – with special needs that generate the demand for services such as carriage and home delivery of food and medicines. Therefore, considering the growing demand for logistics services intended for older adults, there is a justified need to develop theoretical knowledge in this area. The paper aims to define a logistics service dedicated to an elderly person as the ultimate recipient as well as to identify the classification criteria of such services. The first part of the article is based on a literature review and presents definitions of a service and a logistics service according to various researchers. It also identifies different classifications of logistics services. These theoretical aspects provided a basis for authors to propose the notion of a logistics service and a catalogue of criteria for systemising logistics services dedicated to older adults. Logistics services for the elderly may be grouped according to classification criteria applicable to what is widely understood as logistics services in source literature. The classification criteria are the type of service, the immateriality of service, the frequency of contacting the customer, the type of purchaser market, the degree of service customisation, the type of a relationship between the service enterprise and the customer, and the place of service provision. Nonetheless, due to the customer-oriented approach in logistics, the authors proposed the classification criteria of these services with regard to age, financial situation, needs, health, expectations, hobby, skills and problems of older adults. Such an approach to classification is determined by considerable inherent diversification of the discussed group of customers as well as a specialised catalogue of logistics services. The classification of logistics services may contribute to the improved design of such services.