Mind Book is a stimulating multimedia software application that facilitates positive interaction between people with dementia, their families and carers.
A software application in the form of a virtual scrapbook, Mind Book is a memory trigger that addresses issues of communicating and coping with dementia – helping those who live with it to increase confidence, maintain relationships and improve interaction in social situations.
The main features are the Life Book, the Games area and the Diary section. The Life Book enables users to store and retrieve images, words, music, and connect these items to a specific date relating to their own history. The Games area features cognitive, mathematical, word tests and puzzles and the Diary section keeps track of appointments and events, continually updating the user’s ‘home page’ with reminders of birthdays, anniversaries etc. Mind Book’s suite of tools offer an inclusive package that can be used by anyone, not just those suffering with memory loss or dementia.
A new footprint for a modular care home designed specifically for people with a dementia that would be appropriate for elderly people without the disorder.
The concept addresses key insights gained during the research:
JudgeGill’s design template is the basis of a new starting point in long-term dementia and general old age accommodation design - a home that delivers inspiration, positivity and a sense of community whilst encouraging gentle, natural, everyday exercise via a promenade within a secure an easily monitored environment.
Time2 is a product, an interface and a service which acts as an aide memoir with prompts and reminders; as a communications tool for text messaging; and as a ‘capsule for life’ with the user’s appointment history and personal photo store.
During initial research, London Associates became increasingly aware that routines and prompts were important not only for people with dementia but also for the elderly and also would help everyone.
They saw benefits in developing them as part of a product or service that could be integrated into a person’s life in an unobtrusive and friendly way. They used the familiarity of an analogue clock to aid with recognition and interpretation for later stage dementia sufferers.
London Associates wanted the product to stay inclusive over time, to grow and adapt with the person. Time2 is a product, an interface and a service, which acts as:
Tapestry is a software solution where memories, stories, photos, videos, audio, letters, recipes and ideas can be collected, stored and shared between the person with dementia and their loved ones and carers.
N1 Creative saw an opportunity to alleviate the problems that communication poses between those with dementia and those that love and care for them, by creating opportunities for a significant and enjoyable time together.
They did this by visualising each person as a rich mix of stories, experiences, passions, loves, hates, skills, secrets, etc. Capturing this whole tapestry of life, N1 Creative saw the chance to restore communication and retain an individual’s respect using technology.
As well as a consumer-facing tool, Tapestry holds potential for development in carer support, storing patient information to help with briefing, daily care handovers, and general care plan support.
A dementia-specific, portable navigational tool that works alongside more permanent wayfinding structures.
Fw.design have created a wayfinding system for Romford town centre and have taken this to another level, to address the needs of dementia sufferers, without compromising those of other users. They chose colours that are more memorable while retaining clear visual contrast.
More visual landmarks were added to break the journey down into smaller steps and landmarks were introduced that are easier for people with a dementia to recognise.
Fwdesign also created a set of landmark cards that work like stepping stones. Each journey is task-focused rather than destination-driven – ‘I’d like to post a letter’ rather than ‘where’s the post office?’
Memory Clinics is a walk-in proactive service on the high street that champions the maintenance of mental acuity and acts as a trustworthy monitoring facility.
Pearson Matthews aims to use design thinking to find ways to fundamentally change people’s attitudes to cognitive decline and thereby affect government policy. They believe that there is a need to encourage people to engage with cognitive decline earlier in order to delay the point where our powers decline so much that it triggers drastic change.
Pearson Matthews propose a new organisation under the banner of Memory Clinics, with a remit to drive a preventative approach to memory loss. Their idea is to treat memory the way we do with eyes or the body with regular checkups and exercise. Just like an optician thet propose Memory Clinics as walk-in high street services that encourages people to have regular visits. The service would provide tips and advice on how to keep the mind active and healthy and it would endorse memory aids, diets, games and puzzles.
