I'm working as a designer in bringing back memories (in people with dementia) using objects and sensory stimulation and I wonder if I will get people confused If I deconstruct and object into their parts (i.e. Using black plastic with the visual texture of rounded buttons like the phone of the Image)
Thank you!
All the new objects; rearrangement of things (e.g. in the living room) confuses almost all people. So - I see nothing strange in phenomenon you've described.
Also I do not exactly understand - what sort of experiments are you conducting ?
As well as what are the conclusions by choosing such an experiments you arrive at ?
Leonid
This is an interesting question, and the answer may be different for different people, like Leonid, I'm interested in finding out more about the experiments you are conducting.
Hello Leonid and Kay, thank you very much for the interest and answers.
What I want to do is to help with the reminiscence and sensory stimulation therapies in order to make the more accesible and effective. What I have been found is that sometimes therapist just prove something or experiment with different materials in order to obtain something about the people with dementia, so I want to create some wall decoration or some objects that combine textures, materials, colors, shapes and colors to detonate autobiographical memories in a more specific way...more structured therapy.
Interesting, you might find this site is somewhat relevant
http://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/en/
There is a bit of work around about familiar environments and people who have dementia.
As Kay pointed out, I think you will discover the answers to be different for different people, different stages of dementia, or even the same person depending on their own situation at any given moment. You may also want to consider how you are appealing to several different senses to access a positive experience. For example, a glass of water on the table may not trigger a reaction in someone with dementia, even f they are thirsty. However, if you help them grasp the glass and initially help them guide it to their mouth, they may then start to drink of their own accord. The following link is a good reminder of some of the many things that may be important to consider during your work with and observations of people with dementia.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/alzheimers-needs/expert-blog/bgp-20055906
Pauline Hasse, thank you very much for the link and point o view. I really appreciate the answers of all.
I know the Hogeweyk village project and also I have knowledge about dementia (but I think I need more and more information and field research) .With mexican people I know for example that they like tortilla and some kind o musical groups and also that some products (industrial design products ) are for them a significant ones (Im into this right now) so here in Mexico the geriatric centers don't have the money sources in order to make a "second Howeyk Village" and even they don't have the therapist needed so I want to make this accesible using just the colors or forms or materials of these objects (i.e. sound of the musical groups, tortilla smell or taste, etc etc....) but what I wonder is: Could this mix of materials, shapes and forms get into the minds of dementia people??
As to whether the mix of shapes and forms will trigger a response in someone living with dementia, your fieldwork and research will give you the best answers. Since dementia may involve agnosia, with the loss of ability to recognise and interpret objects and sensations, it will be important for you to evaluate this in your further research. To consider your work within a social setting, these video interviews may be helpful - especially as much of what is highlighted does not dedend on costly interventions. Good luck with your research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQDyFyxazHc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3aY37zqFZE
Pauline Hasse thank you so much!! I am watching the videos, thank you again!
Buenos dias Annika,
You may be interested in the work of this particular researcher: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Rodgers3. He is a designer working on dementia. For example, I have seen this work, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291945232_Designing_the_Perfect_Day_Service_Around_People_Living_with_Dementia.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Lydie
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Rodgers3
Chapter Designing the " Perfect Day " Service Around People Living w...
Thanks for the reference Lydie.
I have just completed a one year Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC, UK) Design Research Fellowship with Alzheimer Scotland.
I am now starting to disseminate my work so if you need any more information then just get in touch.
Best,
Paul
Hi Lydie, All,
Perhaps you might be interested in a couple of blogs I have kept during my Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC, UK) Design Research Fellowship with Alzheimer Scotland? Here are the URLs:
https://disruptingdementia.wordpress.com/
https://alzheimerscotlandtartan.wordpress.com/
https://designdisruptiongroup.wordpress.com/
Hello Lydie Griffiths (Thanks for the spanish!) thank you so much for the information and thank you Paul Rodgers for the accessibility to your work, I am very glad to read them all, here in Mexico there are not such information and well I am reading all that you share, I am really happy and I hope that this will help in my phD research.
Thanks to all!
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