SWITCHWARE at baycrest centre
Description
Designing Assistive Devices
Working on a collaborative design team at OCAD, I undertook the Switchware project in partnership with Toronto’s Baycrest Centre, the Samuel Lunenfeld Mountainview Club. The goal of this project was to create assistive dining devices to make it easier for people living with dementia to eat, without the stigma that is associated with using such devices .
Our group designed a set of utensils based on the principles of optimizing independence for Baycrest clients while at the same time reducing caregiver workload. There were three components to our design: sense stimulation, improved ergonomics, and modularity.
The textures on the back of the spoon help to stimulate blood flow and create a new sensation for users whose sense of taste has been reduced by age.
We improved the shape of the handle to make it easier for users with a variety of hand sizes and grip strengths to hold onto the utensils.
We designed the utensils to be modular, thus enabling caregivers to easily switch cutlery in between meals for clients with severe dementia who refuse to let go of their spoon or fork.
Our team interacted directly with end-users, the Centre’s staff, and other stakeholders, making a final presentation to the Centre’s innovation staff and receiving their critique.
Group members included Shu Jun Zhang, Terra Pham, and Aryeh Bookbinder.
Process
Initial Concepts
Prototypes
Our group focused on creating a set of utensils to enhance the eating experience at Baycrest for staff and clients. We decided on the following design criteria our utensils must be in order to best improve the eating experience for Baycrest clients.
Must
Give seniors more control and independence in eating;
Enable those with cataracts glaucoma, or other vision impairments to better see their utensils;
Readily a accessible to the caregiver;
Utensils must be non-stigmatizing/infantilizing;
Utensils must be food safe and made of food-grade materials.
Should
Stimulate one or more senses;
Accommodate that various needs of seniors;
Be intuitive to be used by the caregiver and client;
Be lightweight, easy to grab, portable, and durable;
Be easy to store;
Be easy to mount and fasten;
Be compatible with existing plates and dining tools.
Could
Be a part of a larger dining set that enhances experience;
Provide seniors with more dining choices.
Skills:
Collaboration
Photography
Video script writing
User research
Market research
Prototyping
Storyboarding
Tools used:
Adobe Illustrator
Mould-making