Gardening Cart for the Elderly
Thomas O’Connor Fall 09 Senior Studio
01
Design Brief
Design a product to utilize the therapeutic qualities of gardening therapy for the elderly. Gardening therapy is a simple and proven elderly activity which has shown to improve: -physical and mental conditions -the senses -cognitive ability -anxiety for dementia patients -social interaction -quality of life
Alice is small and frail. Doctors say she has dementia and short term memory loss.
But when she touches the soil, old memories come flooding back.
02
User Research
Storage for multiple items.
I visited a nursing home with an active garden and spoke to residents and caretakers about gardening and its therapeutic qualities. Problems: -managing multiple components (watering can, tools, planters, gloves, etc.) -walking -sitting down -seated to standing transition -standing to kneeling transition
Outdoor and tabletop gardening is a popular individual and group activity.
3 Key User Positions Standing
Kneeling
Sitting
...a gradual transition from standing to kneeling would do wonders...
03
Target Market
The cart will be targeted towards each end of the elderly spectrum; the physically active to those who require daily mobility assistance.
Consumer Personna #1: Name: Martin Age: 65 Lives: On his own Retired: Carpenter Hobbies: The outdoors, cars, woodworking
Consumer Personna #2: Name: Jane Age: 80 Lives: In a retirement community Retired: Teacher Hobbies: Reading, traveling, broadway
Problem: -Limited ability to raise and lower himself. -Works in garden and raised planter beds. -Supplies are hard to carry. Opportunity: -Enable gradual standing to kneeling transitions. -Offer seating and kneeling. -Include storage for supplies.
Problem: -Requires a walker to move. -Fear of falling outdoors. -Requires frequent rest periods. Opportunity: -Include ability to walk with cart. -Offer areas to secure yourself. -Enable body support at all times.
04
Product Benchmarking Plastic is uncomfortable to sit and kneel on
Existing product benchmarking. Evaluated the current gardening cart and kneeler market for design inspiration towards the elderly consumer. Cushion and bars are too high
Opportunity: Combine both products into one complete mobility solution for the elderly gardener.
Cushion is too narrow for knees
Needs cushioned seat
Storage areas dont drain dirt or water
Too small Too heavy
05
Process Sketches
06
Process Sketches
07
Process Sketches
08
Mockup Models
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Early
ockup
Kneeler/seat m
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09
Final Design
10
Product Features
Watering can
-collects rain water from cart -flip out spout
Plant growing gel
-antibacterial and non-toxic -absorbs up to 400 times its weight in water -time releases vitamins & minerals directly to the plant's root system
Indoor tabletop planter
-allow user to enjoy indoor gardening -docks into cart for easy transplanting
Cart storage
-store large or small items underneath -holes allow dirt and water to escape
11
User Mobility
Dual handles provide user support and gradual transitions.
Soft grip handles Push to detach bars from cart
Automatic brake - handle must be held to roll cart
Adjustable height
Seat lets user comfortably work in raised gardening beds.
12
Materials
Plant-based plastics
-Converts sugar cane and molasses into plastic -processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities
Silicone gel grips
-antimicrobial coating -ergonomic memory gel
Recycled rubber tires Walnut tool bins
Memory foam cushioning -relieves pressure points and joint problems
Bamboo fabric pad -water and UV repellent -breathable -wicks moisture