Digital Harp
At the request of the Toermalien residential care center in Genk, interdisciplinary research was provided to determine how people with dementia can be encouraged to exercise. On the one hand this leads to a more active lifestyle and on the other hand it can be linked to a fun daytime activity. An extensive literature study, expert consultations and targeted observations among the target group provided a wealth of information. Product designer Roel Vandebeek was called upon to translate this information into useful interactive designs. In collaboration with Roel, one of these ideas was then developed as a technological innovation, namely the Digital Harp that encourages people with dementia to exercise.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLAB UCLL AND TOERMALIEN
YEAR 2019
2nd PRICE IN4CARE
The senses of the person with dementia are stimulated by offering tactile, image and sound material. By responding to the living environment of the person with dementia, personal information can be offered. Tests have already been carried out in the residential care center, which showed that the set objectives were achieved. People with dementia are really set in motion and the harp exerts a certain attraction that inspires entire communities. The harp stimulates people with dementia and encourages them to socialize. Memories of the past are retrieved through reminiscence. It is also the intention that the prototype developed in co-creation will be valorised so that it can be offered in various residential care centers, although the possibilities can go much wider than residential care centers alone. The interdisciplinary team consisted of: teachers, researchers and students of nursing and electronics from UC Leuven Limburg, designer Roel Vandebeek, management and staff of WZC Toermalien, Genk.
