In collaboration with Taryn Wallace
AESTHETICS OF DISABILITY
This project looked beyond the purpose of designing a product for pure function by considering how the aesthetic properties of a product can hold just as much affordance to its user as its ability to complete a task. For instance, prosthetics often try to imitate what once was, rather than ask the question “what could be?” My professor, Rob Lederer at the University of Alberta, used the following examples to illustrate the potential of twisting what was once viewed as a disability into an advantage, or a form of expression.
This project looked beyond the purpose of designing a product for pure function by considering how the aesthetic properties of a product can hold just as much affordance to its user as its ability to complete a task. For instance, prosthetics often try to imitate what once was, rather than ask the question “what could be?” My professor, Rob Lederer at the University of Alberta, used the following examples to illustrate the potential of twisting what was once viewed as a disability into an advantage, or a form of expression.
pro-aesthetics, designed by Francesca Lanzavecchia
pro-aesthetics, designed by Francesca Lanzavecchia
Ornamental prosthetic leg carved from wood, designed by Alexander McQueen.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
We were encouraged to identify someone within our realm of contact who lives with a disability, or someone knowledgeable about a disability. I contacted my friend, Taryn Wallace, who was a 4th year Therapeutic Recreation student at the time, and who I knew had worked with people living with dementia for many years. Taryn provided both an empathic and professional perspective of her clients who live with dementia.
We were encouraged to identify someone within our realm of contact who lives with a disability, or someone knowledgeable about a disability. I contacted my friend, Taryn Wallace, who was a 4th year Therapeutic Recreation student at the time, and who I knew had worked with people living with dementia for many years. Taryn provided both an empathic and professional perspective of her clients who live with dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada,
“Dementia is an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. Symptoms may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.”
For this particular project we focused on the symptoms of memory loss and altered perception.
UNDRESSING GETTING DRESSED
Taryn shared her experiences in supporting people living with dementia through the highly personal task of getting dressed. She revealed...
"It is not uncommon to have a resident with dementia mix up their order of clothing and join breakfast with their underwear over top of their outerwear."
"It is not uncommon to have a resident with dementia mix up their order of clothing and join breakfast with their underwear over top of their outerwear."
— TARYN WALLACE | RECREATION THERAPIST
She explained these incidents are distressing, embarrassing, and confusing for her residents.
She explained these incidents are distressing, embarrassing, and confusing for her residents.
Taryn also described peripheral issues. One in particular involves the importance of maintaining independence. As cognition declines caregivers begin to complete these tasks on behalf of the resident which only propels dependence and furthers cognitive, behavioral, and physical decline.
CURRENT ASSISTIVE DEVICES
The present aids available to people living with dementia are limited, and those that do exist tend to look childish. Giving someone an assistive device that is not age appropriate on a physical or cognitive level can lead to embarrassment and can be degrading. Although these aids pictured provide value when used with the right people, they can’t be the only options.
The present aids available to people living with dementia are limited, and those that do exist tend to look childish. Giving someone an assistive device that is not age appropriate on a physical or cognitive level can lead to embarrassment and can be degrading. Although these aids pictured provide value when used with the right people, they can’t be the only options.
The assistive device must respect the dignity and abilities of the user.
IDEATING QUESTION
HOW MIGHT WE afford people who live with early stages of dementia to dress themselves independently and with dignity?
HOW MIGHT WE afford people who live with early stages of dementia to dress themselves independently and with dignity?
In response to the research insights, Ernest was created! Ernest is a closet system that divides the act of dressing into sequential simple tasks that are cued through lighting. Ernest lights up your mornings with independent dressing.
ESTABLISHING ORDER
TASK ANALYSIS
This idea stemmed from completing a task analysis exercise where I examined how we make decisions about getting dressed in the morning. The task analysis allowed me to establish order for the dressing process, which was the key identifier Taryn had noted as a problem for people living with dementia, and the reason for healthcare providers or caregivers having to help out with dressing.
This idea stemmed from completing a task analysis exercise where I examined how we make decisions about getting dressed in the morning. The task analysis allowed me to establish order for the dressing process, which was the key identifier Taryn had noted as a problem for people living with dementia, and the reason for healthcare providers or caregivers having to help out with dressing.
SEQUENCING
First, the person will begin their dressing journey at the top left corner of the dresser. They will be cued by the light and open the component, put on the garment, and then close the compartment. Once the first door is closed the next dresser component will light up and the user will continue the process until fully dressed.
First, the person will begin their dressing journey at the top left corner of the dresser. They will be cued by the light and open the component, put on the garment, and then close the compartment. Once the first door is closed the next dresser component will light up and the user will continue the process until fully dressed.
PRODUCT FEATURES
KEY FEATURE
CONTRAST
Since visual perception barriers exist for some people living with dementia it was important to create areas of high contrast. Using light was a great way of achieving this as it not only creates contrast, but it also acts as a communication tool, directing the user on which drawer to open next.
CONTRAST
Since visual perception barriers exist for some people living with dementia it was important to create areas of high contrast. Using light was a great way of achieving this as it not only creates contrast, but it also acts as a communication tool, directing the user on which drawer to open next.
CONCEPT TO REALITY
Ernest is a concept, which is what was asked of us for the project. However, after receiving positive and encouraging feedback from Taryn, my professors, and classmates, I decided to prototype Ernest. So, with my furniture class coming up in the winter term of 2019 I chose to build a to-scale prototype.
Ernest is a concept, which is what was asked of us for the project. However, after receiving positive and encouraging feedback from Taryn, my professors, and classmates, I decided to prototype Ernest. So, with my furniture class coming up in the winter term of 2019 I chose to build a to-scale prototype.
Bringing an idea from concept to reality brought on a whole new set of challenges. It required a degree of redesign, learning new skills like mill-work, lathing, and wiring/coding electronics, and knowing when to ask for help when needed. Through hard work and the support of my peers I would like to introduce you to...
Cabinet Building
Adding Finishing Touches
Wiring and coding the lights. Big thanks to Dalton Ronan here!
ERNIE
Ernie, the mini version of Ernest! Ernie essentially functions identically to Ernest, but is more ideal for small living spaces in care homes, and contains fewer clothing compartments. I reduced the compartments to only the essentials; socks, underwear, shirts, and pants. There is enough space in the dresser to offer a couple options of each garment providing its owner with manageable choice.
Ernie, the mini version of Ernest! Ernie essentially functions identically to Ernest, but is more ideal for small living spaces in care homes, and contains fewer clothing compartments. I reduced the compartments to only the essentials; socks, underwear, shirts, and pants. There is enough space in the dresser to offer a couple options of each garment providing its owner with manageable choice.
Upon first glance, Ernie does not appear to be an assistive device, but presents as a beautiful piece of furniture appropriate for any home and any age.
ERNIE'S FEATURES
ERGONOMICS The height of the dresser is taller than a typical wardrobe reducing the need to bend down. This adds value from a physical ergonomic perspective for anyone who may experience mobility issues.
PERSONALIZATION The lighting is programmable and can be set to timers or switches. Additionally, the order of the lights can be customized to fit the preferences of who is using it. Perhaps someone’s natural order doesn’t flow left to right, but right to left.
AESTHETICS Ernie reflects a mid-century style, calling upon design aesthetics that create a sense of nostalgia and familiarity for an older adult demographic. This is achieved with natural wood finishes and classic tapered legs.
PRODUCT POTENTIAL
After showing Ernie to Taryn, we discussed the different applications Ernie could bring value to. Taryn thought of using Ernie in a recreation program to sort and fold clothes, which provides a teaching opportunity to become more familiar with the dresser and sequencing. We acknowledge a degree of training with users would likely be required before use.
Although Ernie may not afford complete independence for someone living with dementia to dress themselves, it can provide a major step in the direction of maintaining independence through an engaging product.
OTHER APPLICATIONS
We also received suggestions that Ernie would be beneficial for people living with autism, for sorting toys, sensory stimulation, and routine training. Additionally, there is potential for something like Ernie to benefit people living with a visual impairment because of the lighting and contrast features, or maybe adding more tangible communication, such as vibration.
THE FUTURE OF ERNIE
In October of 2019, Taryn and I presented Ernest & Ernie at the 2019 ARPA Conference and Energize Workshop & ATRA Symposium - Growing Recreation Together in hopes of finding connections to test Ernie. Additionally, I had the opportunity to share the design process with an audience of people working in healthcare. This inspired a larger conversation on creativity and designing in the field of healthcare, which was super fun to experience as a designer.
We received a lot of interest and excitement about Ernie from an array of healthcare professionals, plus gained some connections which we are currently pursuing in hopes of testing Ernie. This project is ongoing, if you or someone you know is interested in this project get in touch with us here!
Photo of Taryn (left) and I presenting Ernest & Ernie at the 2019 ARPA Conference and Energize Workshop & ATRA Symposium - Growing Recreation Together
REFLECTION
One of the greatest outcomes of this project was the opportunity to work with Taryn and exchange our perspectives. Through our collaboration we discovered many similarities between the recreational therapy and design profession. For example, we were able to find common ground through terminology such as human-centered design and person-centered care, approaches that both influence our work when designing or care planning for people. As a result, we were able to develop a meaningful and hopeful design outcome that we continue to pursue together.
Additionally, this process taught me a lot about the importance of pursuing co-design or participatory design methods whenever possible. Not only did working with Taryn help to shape the design in a much more appropriate way, but also talking with Taryn and other professionals who work with people living with dementia helped me to use the best language when describing experiences or people. This was learned through trial and error and I found really impactful as a part of the process.
ACKKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project was completed during a design course at the University of Alberta in 2018 and 2019. I would like to extend a thank you to the Taryn Wallace, course instructors (Rob Lederer, Tim Antoniuk, and Kenny Horne), Dalton Ronan for saving me with coding and wiring, Dan Damer for encouraging me to submit this project to the conference, and my colleagues who volunteered their time to share their experiences, expertise, and insights. These not only helped to shape the design outcome, but also contribute to extended conversations in hopes of increasing awareness and resources to support people living with dementia.
REFERENCES
Allen, K. (2018, October 29). Making Your Home Dementia Friendly. Retrieved April 4, 2019, from https://www.brightfocus.org/ alzheimers/article/making-your-home-dementia-friendly.
Allen, K. (2018, October 29). Making Your Home Dementia Friendly. Retrieved April 4, 2019, from https://www.brightfocus.org/ alzheimers/article/making-your-home-dementia-friendly.
Alzheimer Society Canada. (2019). Living with dementia. Retrieved from https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/Living-with-dementia/Day- to-day-living Personal-care/Dressing
Bowlby, C.(1993). Therapeutic activities with persons disabled by alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Austin, TX: Pro-ed Inc
Corr, K. (n.d.). Ultimate guide to the best dementia furniture products. Retrieved April 4, 2019, from https://dementia.livebetterwith. com/blogs/advice/ultimate-guide-to-the-best-dementia-furniture-products?rdrt=uf.
Decision-making capacity in dementia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 4, 2019, from https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/supporting-people- with-dementia/decisions/capacity.asp.
Dementia Furniture. (n.d.). Retrieved April 4, 2019, from https://www.renrayhealthcare.com/sectors/dementia-furniture.
IDEO Design Thinking. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2019, from https://designthinking.ideo.com/.
IMAGES
aesthetics of disability
http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/images/McQ.840a%E2%80%93f_mcq.840a%E2%80%93f_Prez_accessory.AV0.EL.JPG
https://designabilities.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/proaesthetics-by-francescalanzavecchia/
https://www.we-find-wildness.com/2009/09/francesca-lanzavecchia/
aesthetics of disability
http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/images/McQ.840a%E2%80%93f_mcq.840a%E2%80%93f_Prez_accessory.AV0.EL.JPG
https://designabilities.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/proaesthetics-by-francescalanzavecchia/
https://www.we-find-wildness.com/2009/09/francesca-lanzavecchia/
current assistive devices
https://www.alimed.com/alzheimers-and-dementia/ WW
https://www.unforgettable.org/shop
https://www.alimed.com/alzheimers-and-dementia/ WW
https://www.unforgettable.org/shop
2019 ARPA/ATRA Symposium - Growing Together Logo
https://sites.google.com/arpaonline.ca/arpaconferenceatrasymposium/home?authuser=0
https://sites.google.com/arpaonline.ca/arpaconferenceatrasymposium/home?authuser=0
