Contributions of Design in the Creation of Cognitive Stimulation Artefacts for Portuguese People With Dementia

Conference: The European Conference on Arts, Design & Education (ECADE2022)
Title: Contributions of Design in the Creation of Cognitive Stimulation Artefacts for Portuguese People With Dementia
Stream: Design for Society
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Cláudia Lima, ID+ / FBAUP / University Lusófona do Porto, Portugal
Eliana Penedos-Santiago, ID+/University of Porto, Portugal
Susana Barreto, ID+/FBAUP/University of Porto, Portugal

Abstract:

This project addresses the urge for a Design intervention in the production of cognitive stimulation artefacts oriented towards the specific needs of Portuguese People with Dementia (PPwD). In partnership with Alzheimer Portugal, a pedagogical project was developed with undergraduate students of the Communication Design BA at Lusófona University, Porto, where participants were asked to develop cognitive stimulus materials for users of a local Alzheimer day care centre. This one semester project included a research phase, practical development, and prototype creation for the users' benefit. During the research process, the lack of materials oriented towards PPwD became evident. Existing materials are commonly in foreign languages or, when translated, do not reflect cultural and biographical issues of the Portuguese population, which are essential in cognitive stimulation therapies. Materials more oriented to the Portuguese public are usually developed by therapists or in a self-taught fashion, denouncing the absence of Design, which is reflected in a poor image and often neglecting usability, accessibility, and safety. Projects by students, under the guidance of a Design teacher and a therapist, resulted in artefacts specifically oriented towards PPwD, contemplating biographical components and cultural traits. By providing a more assertive response, they also highlighted an imminent gap in the market. Based on the outcomes, a project is now being considered at a national level, in partnership with Alzheimer Portugal and a consortium of Portuguese universities, aiming at a more efficient response and contemplating several areas of Design, namely, Communication, Multimedia, Interaction, Illustration, and Culture Studies.

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