USING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
IN DEMENTIA CARE
MINI CHALLENGE 1 －
CONTEXTUAL DIAGRAM
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In this project we discussed about elderly people and their everyday lives together as a group and went through research about the effects of aging and Examining the Discourses of Ageing in HCI and Strategies for Future Research articles.
PROJECT INTERVIEW
VISIT TO NURSING HOME AND THE INTERVIEW
In this project we discussed about elderly people and their everyday lives together as a group and went through a research about psychology of aging and Examining the Discourses of Ageing in HCI and Strategies for Future Research articles. We came up with a device that could project an image to a wall using images of close relatives or friends. However, we wanted to know if there is a user centered need to this kind of social approach and we decided to have a visit the elderly house nearby the Monash University in Caulfield called Arcare Caulfield.
At the elderly home we asked people to participate to a discussion about their needs as well as things that they find hard to do during their daily lives. We interviewed a 80 years old woman who lived in an nursing home (See the video above).
MINI CHALLENGE 2 －
THE PROBLEM SPACE
Considering the needs of elderly people, it is most important to note that elderly people share the same needs that are common to all people, such as emotional security, social recognition and a strong sense of self-worth, and basic physical needs like health, clothing, nutrition, and shelter (Robert J. Havinghurst, 1952). There are, however, some additional needs brought about by the process of aging that need to be addressed, such as gradual or sudden memory loss. According to the World Health Organization (2016), 47.5 million people currently have dementia, a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities (World Health Organization, 2016). Symptoms range from forgetfulness to total near dependence and inactivity.
Commonly, people with dementia lose awareness of time and place, putting themselves at risk of physical danger, theft etc. Currently, there is no cure for dementia (World Health Organization, 2016) and very few technological solutions that aid in alleviating the risks, and helping people with dementia manage their daily lives better so as to live independently as long as possible. Though some assistive devices, such as buzzers, do exist, there are few manufacturers of assistive technology devices, and big companies have been reluctant to get involved. Our team shall propose a novel solution in assistive technology for people with dementia.
References:
World Health Organization. Dementia. Key Facts. 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs362/en/
Robert J. Havighurst. 1952. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Vol. 279. Social Contribution by the Aging, pp. 11-17
MINI CHALLENGE 3 －
SHORT VIDEO ABOUT HEALTHY AGING
PROJECT TEAM
Juho Kastemaa
Jianze Li
Chenchen Yang
Hello, My name is Jianze
Li who is from Monash Master of Interaction Design. I am fond of creative and challenging
thing. Anything sounds crazy I am willing to try it. Because I do believe “Today I will do what others won’t; Tomorrow
i can do what others can’t.”
Hi, My name is Chenchen and I am studying interaction design at Monash University. I love everything visual.
Hello! My name is Juho and I am studuing Human-Computer Interaction at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. I am currently taking calsses at Monash University in Melbourne!