This paper presents a case study that illustrates: (i) a simple, participatory approach to design tailored to work with older people that focuses on experiential aspects of day-to-day life and interactions with digital technologies which can be implemented by design teams with no prior experience of participatory design or engaging with older adults; (ii) an examination of some of the issues that arose applying this framework and; (iii) reflections on the issues that were encountered trying to advocate wider uptake of the approach and reflections on why this may be.