Occupational Therapy News OTnews July 2019 | Page 42

FEATURE INCLUSIVE DESIGN
Each concept was named and an
outline page created for each, with
photographs, a list of contexts including
for occupation or relation, relevance to
each stage of dementia and whether it
would likely be used alone or with others.
Design elements meeting the brief
were listed and development needed to
take each concept forward.
A further ideation session led to
four concepts that were presented
to our network for ranking; using this
prioritisation process we chose ‘Bud’ and
‘Patch’ to take forward for prototyping.
‘Bud’ was inspired by nature and the
edges of its fabric leaves or petals can be
opened and discovered, rotated, pulled
and picked, even when closed hands
can fit inside the bud and explore.
The ‘Patch’ has folding sections
that can be picked and pulled, there
are layers, pockets and edges, and
the ‘Patch’ can be also be used as a
comforting muff.
Both cushions have ribbon loops and
the idea was to use them to connect
add-ons to give a personalisation to the
sensory experience.
A small user trial of eight volunteers then took place,
with ‘Bud’ being the more popular design. The cushions
were used at home, a day centre and in a nursing home
by both men and women.
One volunteer was at the planned stage of dementia,
all the others were at the sensory, reflex stage of
dementia.
Carers were interviewed before and after using the
cushion for a 12-week trial; they were also asked to
record observations in a diary. Most volunteers elected
to keep their cushions when the evaluation phase
ended.
Carers reported comfort through touch, for example:
‘She left her hands in between the cushion but kept her
eyes closed.’
Some objects, such as serviettes for folding,
photographs, lavender bags, teddy bears and
necklaces, were attached to add personal interest for
the individual, and moments of reminiscence were
reported.
Some design changes were recommended following
the trial, these included making the cushion more
colourful and creating a soft central fastening.
The learning from the trial has informed creation of a
user guidance booklet that will accompany the cushion
42 OTnews July 2019
to help carers understand how to personalise and
optimise use of the sensory cushion.
Designability and Find Memory Care are working
in partnership to make the ‘Bud’ design for a sensory
cushion available.
References
Cleland C and Clark C (1966) Sensory deprivation and
aberrant behaviour among idiots. American Journal of
Mental Deficit (71): 213-393
Jakob A and Collier L (2014) How to make a sensory room
for people living with dementia A Guide Book. Available
from https://bit.ly/1DVtAr3 [accessed 6 March 2019]
Memory Technology Library Project Report (2012-13)
Available at: https://bit.ly/2Xgl472 [accessed 6 March
2019]
Nina Evans and Emma Beadle are occupational
therapists and Jess Fox and Keir Haines are product
designers at Designability. The authors would like
to thank all the many supporters of this project and
especially the volunteers who trialled the cushion
and for the support from Sirona Health and Care,
FIND Memory Care and feedback received from the
Alzheimer’s Society