AGE/LESS EXTENDING MOBILITY FOR A MORE ENGAGED AND ACTIVE LIFE by Lauren Currier Nadine Foik Pachara Kangchirdsri
Š 2015 Lauren Currier, Nadine Foik, Pachara Kangchirdsri
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Industrial Design School of Design Pratt Institute May 2015
AGE/LESS EXTENDING MOBILITY FOR A MORE ENGAGED AND ACTIVE LIFE by Lauren Currier Nadine Foik Pachara Kangchirdsri
Received and approved:
_________________________________________________________ Date______________ Thesis Advisor Signature _________________________________________________________ Thesis Advisor Name
_________________________________________________________ Date______________ Department Chair Signature _________________________________________________________ Department Chair Name
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank, our families and friends, our classmates, with whom we have shared laughs, tears and times in the studio every day for 3 years, our advisors, especially Katrin Mueller-Russo who guided us with a firm, but sensitive hand, all of the experts who provided us with their wealth of knowledge and expertise, our professors who helped us form our thinking about design and life, all of the older adults who spent time with us, sharing their experiences, the cleaning staff who managed to keep our work space free of clutter, and to those we have not mentioned, please accept our deepest gratitude.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION How We Came Together......................................................... 8 Our Inspiration: Healthy Aging............................................... 9 RESEARCH Aging Suit............................................................................. 10 Conversation: Older Adults, Advocates, and Experts.......... 14 OUR FOCUS: EXTENDING MOBILITY
Why Mobility: Primary Research.......................................... 17
Why Mobility: Secondary Research...................................... 18
Design Directions................................................................. 19
EXTENDING MOBILITY: DIRECTIONS I. Confidence - Fall Injury Protection.................................. 21 II. Comfort - Thermoregulation........................................... 51 III. Motivation - Social Engagement................................... 83 CONCLUSION.................................................................................. APPENDICES................................................................................... -
INTRODUCTION HOW WE CAME TOGETHER One team, three unique voices While unprecendented, working together as a team was a fairly simple decision. For two years, we had seen each other power through projects and produce great work. There was a mutal respect. We believed we could collaborate well together.
It was clear from the beginning that we had a shared passion and philosophy: design is needed to address essential human needs. Each of us were interested in the process of aging, and the fact that it remains an area where design can have a greater presence. This is where our story begins.
We also, let’s be honest, wanted a challenge. The real world requires you to learn how to function on a team, how to wade through different perspectives in order to reach a shared goal. We learned to embrace our differing opinions. A team has distinct roles. In our case, each of us wore different hats, switching from designer to project manager to researcher, and back to designer again. In the end, we developed our own projects, but leaned heavily on each other for feedback, a helping hand, another set of eyes, and moral support. Lauren Currier
8 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
Nadine Foik
Pachara Kangchirdsri
INTRODUCTION OUR INSPIRATION: HEALTHY AGING We became fascinated by the notion that every person ages differently. Longitudenal studies on aging groups like centenarians are shedding light on, and raising questions about, the factors involved in delaying age-related illnesses. Today, one in every 10,000 individuals in the U.S. reaches the age of 100 (Juncosa). Around the world, in places like Okinawa, Japan, and Ikaria, Greece, these concentrations of aging communities are higher. Evidence from a Danish longitudinal study of people age 92-100 found that health problems seem to be delayed, appearing closer to the end of life (NIH). In the science of aging, research centers like the Buck Institute for Research on Aging are focused on extending healthspan over lifespan. This means staving off, or eliminating entirely, diseases that have become inextricably linked to old age, like Alzheimers (BuckInstitute.org). Their research looks deeply at the role genetics plays in how a person ages. Beyond genetics, there are a network of factors involved in healthy aging. We set out to discover more about these factors.
Figure 1 xxxx
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 9
RESEARCH AGING SUIT With aging comes certain physical restraints. We set out to understand what it felt like to age. In doing so we were walking in the footsteps of Patricia Moore, the designer who, in 1979, conducted a landmark social study, dressing up as an aging person over a three year span (fig. 1). We studied aging simulators like the one developed by the Genworth company and Edward Schneider, a professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California (fig. 2). The suit uses modern technology and advanced materials to simulate impairments like joint stiffness and vision loss.
Fig. 2 Source: www.fastcompany.com
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Fig. 1 Source: www.rit.edu
RESEARCH AGING SUIT We also looked into smart textiles like the knitwear designed by Pauline Van Dongen (TextielMuseum in Tillburg) and Martijn Ten BhÜmer (PhD candidate at Eindhoven University of Technology) (fig. 3, 4). The cardigan uses integrated stretch sensors to measure the wearer’s mobility. The aim is to provide caretakers with useful information about their geriatric patients without stigmatizing them.
Fig. 3 Source: www.dezeen.com
Fig. 4 Source: www.dezeen.com
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 11
RESEARCH AGING SUIT We applied these learnings when designing our own suit. To simulate stiffness and decreased muscle mass, we applied weights to the core and joints of the body. Strong elastic cords tethered to the legs and back further restricted our overall ability to move. To simulate vision loss, we modified protective glasses with varying filters (fig. 5).
Findings 1. Mobility was radically slowed, creating fatigue and even pain in a short period of time. 2. Most energy was spent searching for objects in the environment to stablize our movements, especially up and down stairs.
HEARING LOSS
EAR PLUGS
BACK PAIN
BUNGEE CORD
VISION LOSS
LIMITED VISION GLASSES
NECK STIFFNESS NECK BRACE
LIMITED SHOULDER MOVEMENT SHOULDER PAD + WEIGHT
LIMITED CORE MOVEMENT BUNGEE CORD
ELBOW STIFFNESS/PAIN ELBOW PAD
LIMITED CORE MOVEMENT
WEIGHT
KNEE STIFFNESS/PAIN KNEE PAD
3. Navigating environments, even familiar ones, was a challenge. We became more aware of things like uneven pavement and curbs.
LOSS OF BALANCE
UNSTABLE SHOES
Fig. 5 Aging Suit
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Figure X Aging suit in action
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PRIMARY RESEARCH CONVERSATIONS WITH OLDER ADULTS, ADVOCATES, AND EXPERTS Guiding Principles Aging is a human experience. But, it’s also a very personal one. In our research, we looked beyond quantitative data in order to gain a more accurate, nuanced understanding of what makes people age well. Through ethnographic research we gained insight into the social, physical, and psychological factors that shape people’s health and well-being.
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PRIMARY RESEARCH CONVERSATIONS WITH OLDER ADULTS, ADVOCATES, AND EXPERTS
The Advocates and Experts BETSY GUTTMACHER Volunteer Coordinator Heights and Hills
CATHY GORMLEY
Director of Programs Heights and Hills
ROBERT LANGHORN
Volunteer Heights and Hills
Heights and Hills The organization supports Brooklyn’s older adults through volunteerism. Services address physical and emotional challenges, helping elders age on their terms: independently and with dignity. It’s Friendly Visitors Program makes meaningful matches between volunteers and older adults, fostering relationships through trust building and time spent together.
KEISHA BOLDEN
Assitant Director, Health and Wellness Senior Center at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House
Center at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House The senior center, located in Manhattan, is a place where older adults can interact with others and participate in diverse activities, from literature and foreign language to belly dancing and T’ai Chi.
KAREN STOBBE Founder In the Moment
In the Moment The organization teaches caregivers creatives methods of interacting with aging patients, based on the principles of improvisation.
CATRINA GENOVESE RN Field Nurse Supervisor SelectCare Home Services
SelectCare SelectCare provides home care staff in the NYC area, including Home Health Aides, Live In Aides, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Nurses. Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 15
PRIMARY RESEARCH CONVERSATIONS WITH OLDER ADULTS, ADVOCATES, AND EXPERTS
The Older Adults GERY SOVIERO
90 yrs lives in Long Island from Wisconsin
DAVE STOUT
JESSE MEYERS
80 yrs lives in Conneticut/NYC from Brooklyn
NORMA STOUT
LOLA MEYERS
82 yrs lives in Conneticut/NYC from Brooklyn
ELLEN ZILKA
MARTIN SHAW 74 yrs lives in Virginia from England
SAM ZILKA
73 yrs lives in California from California
72 yrs lives in California from New Mexico
87 yrs lives in NYC from Germany
88 yrs lives in NYC from Iraq
MERI BOUGARD-ROHRS 70 yrs lives in Brooklyn from New York State
GUS ROHRS
SU KIMHAJUNTRA
ABEL
82 yrs lives in Brooklyn from NYC
GRACE
JULIET
Member Center at Lenox Hill
Member Center at Lenox Hill
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74 yrs lives in Boston from Thailand
Member Center at Lenox Hill
LINDA
SHERRI
Member Center at Lenox Hill
Member Center at Lenox Hill
OUR FOCUS: EXTENDING MOBILITY WHY MOBILITY: PRIMARY RESEARCH
In our conversations with older adults, we found that the ability to move was their greatest concern across the board. In the words of one of our older adults: “the biggest side is the physical health because without it you can’t do anything else. The physical is the ground upon which all build.” In short, mobility impacts everything. PHYSICAL “THE BIGGEST SIDE IS THE PHYSICAL. WITHOUT THAT YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING ELSE.” “HAVE WE GOTTEN OLD? I KNOW THAT I’M SLOWING DOWN. WE SEE MORE DOCTORS.” “I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ARTHRITIS AND A LITTLE BIT OF SCIATICA.”
“IF YOU HAVE ACHES AND PAINS YOU DON’T HAVE THE DESIRE TO GO OUT AND DO THINGS. IT IMPACTS EVERYTHING.”
MENTAL “I READ THE PAPER IN ARABIC AND TRANSLATE IT BACK INTO ENGLISH. IT’S A MENTAL EXERCISE.” “I GO TO THE LUNCHEONS BECAUSE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SURGES IT PROVIDES.”
“I TEACH JAMES JOYCE. IT’S NOT SIMPLE. YOU HAVE TO WORK AT IT.”
SOCIAL “I VOLUNTEER THREE TIMES PER WEEK AND PLAY BRIDGE ONCE A WEEK. MY VOLUNTEERING HAS HELPED ME A GREAT DEAL.” “WE DRESS UP AS CLOWNS AND ENTERTAIN KIDS AT HOSPITALS. I LIKE TO BE WITH PEOPLE.”
“I PLAY BRIDGE EVERY WEEK WITH MY FRIENDS. IT KEEPS ME AWARE.”
MOBILITY ABILITY TO BE ACTIVE AND ENGAGED Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 17
OUR FOCUS: EXTENDING MOBILITY WHY MOBILITY: SECONDARY RESEARCH
We were born to move. Mobility is a key determinant of quality of life and directly impacts our ability to live autonomous and independent lives According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, about one in four adults age 50 and over has difficulty with hearing, vision, cognition, or mobility. By the age of 85, that share is greater than two in three (Fernald 11). The most common age-related disability is reduced mobility (fig. 5).
WHILE ALL OF DISABILITIES INCREASE WITH AGE, DIFFICULTIES WITH MOBILITY ARE MOST COMMON Share of population with Disabilities by Age Group (Percent) 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Vision
Cognitive
Self-Care
Hearing
Independent Living
Mobility
# of NYC’s 65+ (in million)
50-59
60-69
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70-79
80 and Over
Fig. 5 Source: JCHS tabulations of US Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey
OUR FOCUS: EXTENDING MOBILITY DESIGN DIRECTIONS
Under the umbrella of mobility, we chose to focus on ways to extend a person’s ability to stay active and engaged. We explored three directions: fall injury protection, thermoregulation, and social engagement. Fall injury protection provides the confidence, thermoregulation the comfort, and social engagement the motivation to move. In the following chapters, we expand on each of these directions and propose product and service solutions.
CONFIDENCE PROTECTING AGAINST FALL INJURIES
COMFORT THERMOREGULATION
MOTIVATION ENABLING SOCIAL INTERACTION Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 19
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I. CONFIDENCE FOR MOBILITY PROTECTING AGAINST FALL INJURIES
Source: xxx
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PROTECTING AGAINST FALL INJURIES TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 24 The Problem: The Cycle of Falling The Question: How Can We Protect Against Fall Injuries? II. INITIAL RESEARCH................................................................................... 26 Conversations With Older Adults Injury Protection Landscape Opportunity III. CONCEPTING............................................................................................ 30 Scenarios Within a Living Environment Material Exploration Focus Group Testing Technology Exploration IV. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT........................................................................... 38 System Development Surface Refinement V. FINAL CONCEPT....................................................................................... 40 Solidaire Modular System: Two Applications VI. FURTHER DEVELOPMENT....................................................................... 46 Color and Pattern Variations Light Pathways VII. CONCLUSION
Source: xxx
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 23
INTRODUCTION THE PROBLEM: CYCLE OF FALLING AMONG OLDER ADULTS This project began as an investigation into one of the most serious issues facing older adults today, falling. The risk of falling increases as a person ages. Each year a third of older adults fall. 2.4 million fallrelated injuries suffered by people over 65 are treated in emergency rooms (fig. 1) (Hafner). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that these injuries can add up to longer hospital stays, compared with other injuries, and increase the likelihood of a second fall within the next six months (CDC.com). The physical impact of a fall on mobility is evident. Hip and wrist fractures, two of the most common fallrelated injuries, can result in the need for occasional or permanent assistance (NIH.com). From a financial perspective, home care can run as much as $600 a day in New York, making nursing homes a more financially viable, if far less appealing, option for people and their families (Genovese). The odds are stacked against people who have suffered hip fractures. Over half end up being discharched to a nursing home. Survivors experience a decrease in life expectancy (10-15%) and a 24 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
Fig 1 Source: nytimes.com
INTRODUCTION THE QUESTION: HOW CAN WE PROTECT AGAINST FALL INJURIES? meaningful decline in overall quality of life (Fuller). The psychological side of falling is equally, if not more, problematic. The majority of falls happen at home. Falling once can create fear, which leads to less overall movement, resulting in a greater chance of falling agin (NIH.com). Falls can also lead to depression . Losing autonomy is difficult for anyone accustomed to being self-sufficent. There is a lot of important work being done in the area of fall prevention. In 2008, the National Council on Aging founded Fall Prevention Awareness Day to increase “public awareness and educate consumers and professionals about the risks of falls and how to prevent falls” (NCOA.org). Using prevention as a springboard, we chose to focus on injury protection. Falling is a vicious cycle. Our goal was to interrupt this cycle. The question that guided our research:
HOW CAN WE PROTECT AGAINST FALL INJURIES AT HOME (OR IN AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY)? Source: xxx
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 25
INITIAL RESEARCH CONVERSATIONS WITH OLDER ADULTS We began by speaking with eight older adults, located in the New York, area about their experiences with falls. We also spoke with people who had experienced falls among family members. Over the course of our interviews, we diagrammed individual living spaces to understand where people had fallen in the past, as well as where they had made modifications to the home environment to address age-related symptoms, such as degrading eye-sight or loss of balance (fig 2, 3).
MAP OF GERY’S HOME
MAP OF LOLA AND JESSE’S HOME
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
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INITIAL RESEARCH CONVERSATIONS WITH OLDER ADULTS Findings
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FALL EXPERIENCES
1. Falls happen despite a person’s intimacy with his or her living space. Even familiar objects can become hazardous obstacles. 2. Objects like rugs can prevent falls, covering slippery surfaces like hard wood and linoleum, but they can also be the cause of a fall.
“It’s common to fall as you get older. I tripped over some furniture.”
SHERRI
3. Home modifications can be done at a surface or structural level, such as buying more lamps or adding more outlets. 4. Modifications, such as adding grab bars, are synonymous with aging, which often makes a person hesitant to incorporate them even if the need exists.
“I’m more careful walking around my bare wood floors in stockings.” LOLA MEYERS
“My mom slipped on her walkway. She had to wait for a neighbor to see her”
“I hurt myself when I tripped over the fringe on my carpet. I had to cut it off.” ABEL
5. When a fall has occured, it is often family members who step in to prevent it from happening again.
JESSE MEYERS
“Life alert doesn’t get a signal in my basement, but that’s where I do my laundry.” GERY SOVIERO
“He fell backwards while he was looking for something in the closet.” MERI BOUGARD-ROHRS
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INITIAL RESEARCH INJURY PROTECTION LANDSCAPE We looked at the market of low-tech and high-tech injury prevention products and services, tailored to both older adults and other consumer groups. We evaluated three products that have incorporated the use of technology in innovative ways. Two are designed to be worn on the body, while the third is designed to be implanted in the living environment. 1. Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert. The system is comprised of a wearable pendant and dock. A button can be pressed in the event of a fall. If the person is unable to press the button, the pendant comes equipped with a fall-detection sensor, which places an emergency call automatically.
Pros: The incorporation of an automatic alert system provides an added degree of confidence. Cons: The system, and others like it, are reactive in nature. While they ensure that any injuries sustained from a bad fall are taken care of quickly, they are unable to protect against the initial injury. In addition, they must be worn at all times. Pendants can be unappealing for some as they denote the need for assistance. Compliance can be a factor. 28 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
2. ActiveProtect Airbag Belt. The system is comprised of a snap-on belt and a fall detection sensor. In anticipation of impact, a cold gas inflator deploys two air bags along the side of the hips.
Pros: The system proactively targets one of the most common injuries, hip fractures. The belt can be worn inside and outside of the home. Cons: The belt is limited to the hip region, leaving out the head and wrists. It must be worn at all times, day and night. The form factor limits it being worn at crucial moments, like getting out of bed at night or stepping out of a shower. 3. Lively. The system is comprised of a dock and a group of small sensors that can be placed in designated spots around a living environment. The sensors detect and signal, for those concerned, normal behavior and aberrations in routine.
Pros: The system has a sleek, modern design. Cons: The system walks the line between unobtrusive concern and surveillance. For some, the aesthetic might feel foreign when placed in a familiar setting.
INITIAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY 1. Philips Lifeline
2. ActiveProtect
High-Tech
OPPORTUNITY TO BRING INJURY PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY INTO THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT. 3. Lively Environment
Body
We mapped products on a matrix ranging from A. Body – Environment to B. HighTech – Low-Tech. In performing this exercise, we discovered three things: 1. There are many protective, high-tech designs intended to be worn on the body. They must be worn day and night. Low-Tech
2. There are many protective, low-tech designs intended for a living environment. 2. There are few protective, high-tech designs intended for a living environment. This is where we chose to focus. Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 29
CONCEPTING SCENARIOS WITHIN A LIVING ENVIRONMENT A bad fall can narrow a person’s world, making him or her hesitant to move around a space with ease (Rubenstein). In an instant, a living space can seem much smaller. Our goal was to ensure a person continues to circulate freely and confidently. There are two primary causes of falling: falls due to intrinsic factors, such as poor eyesight, and falls due to extrinsic factors, such as uneven carpet or flooring (Eto 302). We narrowed our focus on specific locations within a living environment where people
tend to fall: bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. At home, falls from a bed account for 36% (out of 380 cases) of falls experienced (40% for in institutions). (Schulz 1227). We grouped the specific locations into categories, 1. Targeted, 2. High-Traffic, 3. Specialized, and mapped them within a living environment (fig 4).
SCENARIO LOCATIONS
Source: Angelofernandes.com
Source:
Source:
1. TARGETED
2. HIGH-TRAFFIC
3. SPECIALIZED
Next to a chair or beside a bed where people can fall getting up at night.
Hallways and living rooms where people tend to trip over obstacles.
Bathrooms or kitchens where people tend to slip on surfaces.
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CONCEPTING SCENARIOS WITHIN A LIVING ENVIRONMENT DIAGRAM OF FALL LOCATIONS
TARGETED
HIGH-TRAFFIC
Fig. 4
SPECIALIZED Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 31
CONCEPTING MATERIAL EXPLORATION Our exploration began with a simple notion: a smart surface. Thinking conceptually at this stage gave us room to focus on developing interesting tactile qualities. By thinking about a surface rather than a specific form, we could also stay open to different types of applications down the road. We chose to look at soft, malleable materials that would be familiar in any living environment: corks, foams, rubbers, wools, and felts. In the context of a fall, these materials are able to absorb energy. We developed two directions: 1) three-dimensional surfaces studies: folds, weaves, tubes, and pockets, and 2) flat surface studies: slits, cut outs, and perforations. To inform our direction moving forward, we shared our early mock-ups with a focus group of older adults at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.
THREE KEY IMPERATIVES FOR DESIGN The design must be 1. Proactive, focused on the moment before a fall 2. Familiar, intended to promote confidence, not stigmatize 3. Subtle, visible but integrated into the living environment
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CONCEPTING MATERIAL EXPLORATION
1. THREE DIMENSIONAL STUDIES
WEAVES
TUBES
FOLDS
TUBES
POCKETS Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 33
CONCEPTING MATERIAL EXPLORATION
2. FLAT STUDIES
CUT-OUTS
SLITS 34 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
SLITS
CUT-OUTS
PERFORATIONS
CONCEPTING MATERIAL EXPLORATION: FOCUS GROUP TESTING QUESTION
What if this were a floor covering in your apartment? What if it could protect you if you fell? FEEDBACK 1. THREE DIMENSIONAL STUDIES
+ + - - -
“This is a very popular pattern.” “Looks really soft like a blanket.” “What about people with walkers.” “It would be too easy to trip over.” “This would be very hard to clean.”
2. FLAT STUDIES
+ + + - -
“Easier for a walker or wheelchair.” “It’s flatter so you won’t trip as easily.” “This looks like a rug I own.” “Dirt could get stuck in it.” “Something needs to be underneath it.”
OUTCOME: FLAT STUDY GENERATED MORE POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM OUR FOCUS GROUP.
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 35
CONCEPTING TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION Inflatable Systems Hovding Helmet In conjunction with material exploration, we studied technology systems, specifically inflation, which has been proven effective in countless protective products. Our initial aim was to learn how inflation is applied in different scenarios.
The bike helmet is outfitted with 200 sensors. When a fall is detected, a cold gas inflator fills the helmet in 1/10 of a second, ripping the collar’s seal in the process. (Hovding.com)
Car crash sensors are activated by rapid deceleration. An electrical circuit at the front of the car triggers a chemical reaction (nitrogen) to inflate the bag. The Hovding bike helmet also uses accelerometers. The sensor triggers a cold gas inflator in the collar to release gas (helium) into the bag.
Car Crash Sensors “When an accelerometer senses a crash it activates the inflator assembly. In the inflator assembly, gasses are produced and expanded very rapidly, by combustion, or other chemical action. These gases exit through holes and pressurize the bag assembly. As the bag expands, it breaks out of the housing by opening or breaking [the] hub cover” (U.S. #5,071,161 Allen Breed 1968). 36 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
CONCEPTING TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION Sensors We began experimenting with sensors. Our goal was to simulate conditions similar to a person coming in contact with a car airbag or having a Hovding bike helmet inflate around his or her head. The obvious difference in our case was the environment: a living space instead of a moving vehicle.
Questions 1. How long does it take to hit the ground in a fall? 2. How does weight and height factor in? 3. What pressure is needed to inlate an air pocket? 4. How quickly does a bag need to deflate?
it falls, resulting in a number of collision times for different parts of the body. With this in mind, timing for the impact was brought down by 1/3. Total time for the primary impact: 1.1 seconds. Gravity is constant regardless of a person’s weight. With help from an experienced programmer, we used Arduino to create a fall-detection system. In this system, an accelerometer is programmed to open an air valve in a specific “fall-scenario.” The sensor detects 1 - 4 Gs, sustained for .25 seconds, before opening the valve. The valve is connected to a CO2 cartridge. Once the valve is open, the air escapes.
G-force detection
We engaged a post-doc at Cardiff University, School of Physics and Astronomy, for insight into the physics of a falling body. We found, using a derivation of the “inverted pendulum” equation, the result of a complete fall from a standing position for an average sized person (5’ 4”) was about 3.5 seconds. Additional considerations were made, such as the fact that people tend to be moving when they trip, speeding up the fall, and that the body curves as
Valve
CO2 Cartridge
Accelerometer Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 37
DESIGN DEVLEOPMENT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT We set out to incorporate inflation technology into a surface that could rest on the floor. Our solution was a series of air pockets connected by tubing. This was inspired, in part, by radiant heating systems, which use a similar connection method. We knew that preventing a person from tripping meant that the floor surface would need to lay flat. Our task was thus to find a material that could inflate, in an active state, and lay flat, in a passive state. Inflation requires a material to be airtight. We looked at materials ranging from rubber to silicon to nylon. For the final design, we chose ripstop silicon-coated nylon. Used to make car airbags, nylon is a malleable material that can be
AIR SOURCE
+
1. (Triggered by accelerometer on body) 2. Computer chip that detects G-force 3. CO2 cartridge 4. Valve
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AIR DELIVERY
sewn, ironed, and folded. We tested different folding techniques, and selected an envelope fold that can be ironed flat.
+
1. Coss-linked polyethylene tubing 2. Variety of fittings
AIR INFLATION 1. Ripstop silicon-coated nylon 2. High-density foam
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SURFACE REFINEMENT The final step in our design development was skinning a top surface material over the layer of air pockets. We selected a wool blend for its durable, tactile qualities.
TOP SURFACE DESIGN
Perforation
We designed and cut into the surface of each square module a simple “X” graphic. This graphic can act as a visual cue, suggesting caution. As a repeating pattern, the “X” becomes more of a subtle reference, but the notion of safety is still present. Taking inspiration from the Hovding bike helmet, we considered ways in which an air pocket could break through a surface as it inflates. And so, we designed into the center of the X, two perforated lines. In the process of inflating, the force of the air pocket rips through the top surface.
WORKING PROTOTYPE
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FINAL CONCEPT SOLIDAIRE A smart floor covering system that detects the moments before a fall and responds through inflation to protect the person from potential injury. Using industry tested fall-detection technology, which combines a discreet wearable accelerometer located on the person and sensitive pressure sensors embedded within the floor covering, the system activates milliseconds before contact, inflating a series of air pockets across the fall zone.
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 41
FINAL CONCEPT SOLIDAIRE
MODULES IN ACTIVE STATE
MODULES IN PASSIVE STATE
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FINAL CONCEPT SOLIDAIRE
Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 43
FINAL CONCEPT MODULAR SYSTEM - TWO APPLICATIONS Solidaire is a modular system. It can be assembled in one continuous top surface for smaller areas or fit together at designated connection points to cover more ground.
Area Floor Covering The floor covering would span a smaller portion of the living environment. Ideal for bedsides or next to chairs. The system includes a non-slip trim around the perimeter with a gradual slope so as not to present a tripping hazard. 44 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
Wall-to-Wall Floor Covering The floor covering would span a larger portion of the living environment. Ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways. The system could be built in to the space, in the case of a retrofit or new construction.
FINAL CONCEPT MODULAR SYSTEM: TWO APPLICATIONS
FALL ZONE
AIR POCKETS
CONNECTION POINT FALL SENSOR
After the fall area has been deployed, it can be removed and replaced at designated connection points.
FALL DETECTION Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 45
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT COLOR AND PATTERN VARIATIONS Color Variations There is potential for color variations. These variations can address personal preference or have specialized benefits. Dementia patents, for example, can mistake a dark pattern on a carpet as a hole. This fear could trigger a fall (Genovese). Lighter color combinations could address this issue.
Pattern Variations There is potential to create subtle pattern variations on the top surface. Each variation will maintain the basic center X surrounding the perforated tear location.
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FURTHER DEVELOPMENT LIGHT PATHWAYS As many falls tend to happen at night, for example when a person gets up to use the restroom, we also saw the potential for Solidaire to provide navigation using light. Embedded pressure sensors could activate LED strips underneath the surface, guiding the person along his or her path. This could limit the risk of falls that might occur when searching for a light switch. The system could also learn common routes within a living space and guide a person along these pathways, providing subtle reassurance and instilling greater sense of confidence.
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CONCLUSION
At the outset of this project, we wanted to address the functional and the human aspect of aging. As people age, the landscape of products shift, become more medicalized. While needs change with age, the need to feel like a person rather than a patient is universal. With Solidaire, our hope was to design a product that felt integrated in a living space, whether private home or assisted living environment. Our goal: to allow a person to move with confidence by lessening the threat of injury from falling. Further refinement of the concept would require trials and simulations conducted in a lab setting.
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II. COMFORT FOR MOBILITY SUPPORTING THERMOREGULATION
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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SUPPORTING THERMOREGULATION TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................54 The Problem: Decline in Thermoregulation The Questions: How Can We Support Thermoregulation? II. INITIAL RESEARCH.................................................................56 Thermoregulation Thermoregulation Landscape Technology Exploration III. CONCEPTING.........................................................................64 Scenarios Material Exploration Body Placement Study Technology Exploration User Testing IV. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT........................................................71 Refinement System Design for Thermoregulating Clothing V. FINAL CONCEPT: THERMOTIVO...............................................73 Thermoregulating Clothing Knee Pad VI. FURTHER DEVELOPMENT....................................................79 VII. CONCLUSION........................................................................80
Source: themetapicture.com
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INTRODUCTION THE PROBLEM: DECLINE IN THERMOREGULATION This project began as an investigation into thermoregulation as it relates to aging. As one ages, the ability to stabilize one’s body temperature declines. A person becomes more vulnerable to evironmental temperature fluctuations, especially when he or she is living with diabetes or taking medication like insulin (Neil, Dawson and Baker 416). In some cases, this can lead to fatal conditions like hypothermia or heatstroke. As reported by a British national survey in 2013, 10% of older adults over 65 may experience a drop in their core temperature as low as 95.5 F in the morning, 2.5 degrees less than normal temperature. Medical professionals consider these levels dangerously low. Extreme outdoor temperatures in the summer and winter months can have additional impact on older adults, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes (fig. 1, 2).
HEAT-RELATED DEATHS IN THE U.S., 1999-2003
800 600
DEATH
200 0 0
45
65 65+
Fig. 1 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WINTER MORTALITY RATES IN ADULTS AGED 65 - 74
30 % 15 % DEATH
0
2011
2012
2013
Fig. 2 Source: National Statistics of England and Wales
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INTRODUCTION THE QUESTION: HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THERMOREGULATION? With age, it becomes more difficult to regulate one’s core temperature. The result may be extreme temperature fluctuations. In order to allow older adults to stay active and engaged, we decided to address this issue. The question that guided our research:
HOW CAN WE PROTECT OLDER PEOPLE FROM EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN TEMPERATURE?
Source: semana.com
Source: pixgood.com
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INITIAL RESEARCH THERMOREGULATION Core body temperature is maintained at about 98 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will shift based on physical activities and food intake. When a person is exposed to cold or hot climates, his or her body will react, generating or losing heat in order to keep the core body temperature stable. That process is called thermoregulation. The state of having even internal temperature is called homeostasis (Holland). Temperature receptors are located throughout the skin, spinal cord, and in or around blood veins. These receptors respond to external temperature, as well as internal temperature, and signal heat and cold sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus. This region functions as a thermostat, activating heat gain and loss mechanisms in order to stabilize the body temperature.
If the body temperature continues to increase, the vasodilation process will be activated. Capillaries under the skin open more as instructed by the central nervous system, to increase blood flow to the surface level. Blood flow is the main heat carrier to all parts of the body. In this process the body emits that heat into the environment (fig. 3).
95 F
98 F
98 F
104 F
When the body temperature increases, a heat loss mechanism is activated to cool down the body. Sweating is the first auto response. HYPOTHERMIA 82.4-93.2 F
HEATSTROKE 95.5 F
96.8 F
98 F
104 F Fig. 3
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INITIAL RESEARCH THERMOREGULATION On the other hand, when body temperature decreases, sweat production decreases and vasoconstriction, thermogenesis, and hormonal thermogenesis are deployed. Vasoconstriction is a process in which capillaries around the skin are narrow, decreasing, and slowing blood flow to reduce heat loss. Thermogenesis is heat production by the body’s muscles, organs, and brain, which converts stored chemical energy in the body into heat. Muscular activities and shivering are the most effective way to generate a great amount of heat quickly. Hormonal thermogenesis is a process of releasing hormones to increase metabolism, which results in increasing the energy and the quantity of heat. This last process is only activated when the body is continually exposed to cold over a period of time (hawkeyehealthcare.com).
According to the article, “Thermoregulation and Aging” by Vogelaere and Pereira, the following are often consequences of aging in relation to thermoregulation. 1. The ability to sense ambient temperature, which is necessary in initiating a physiological response, and the ability to resist exposure to cold and hot environment declines. 2. The ability to regulate body temperature through vasoconstriction declines. 3. The ability of muscles to respond to neural and hormonal stimuli is reduced. 4. The ability to produce metabolic heat decreases. 5. The ability to generate sweat decreases and leads to heat collection in the body.
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INITIAL RESEARCH THERMOREGULATION LANDSCAPE We began by exploring products related to temperature control, as well as wearable and environmental cooling and heating devices. We found three existing designs that later informed our final design. Each design has unique functions and ways to provide thermal comfort and thermoregulation. 1. Air Conditioning Control System based on Human Body Temperature. The design aims to enhance thermal comfort indoors. The system is controlled by the person’s internal temperature. Interior spaces are outfitted with sensors that detect when the person enters. These sensors respond to the person’s temperature using bio-data, ajusting the climate as needed (fig. 4). Pros: The design responds and automatically adjusts the temperature a body needs. Cons: Even though the system works based on body temperature, it offers only cooling control. The use of multiple sensors is required and the system can only function when the user is touching the designated surfaces. 58 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
2. Climawear Scarf. This design aims to help people stay more active by providing greater temperature control. The scarf uses Peltier units, which can be manually controlled to produce heat and cold (fig. 5). Pros: The design offers both heating and cooling in a small package. Its small size allows the user to use it on the go. Cons: The user has no control over the exact temperature. Furthermore, the device is not responsive to body temperature. The scarf material and the size of its components do not conform well to the body or promote ease of use. 3. Temperature Regulation System for the Human Body Using Heat Pipes. The system provides heating and cooling by using heat pipes to distribute energy from a heat exchanger located on the torso, to other parts of the body. The heat pipes are incorporated into the garment for medical treatment, specifically for older adult stroke patients and patients with spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis. The system is also designed for people who work in extreme situations, for example firefighters (figure 6).
INITIAL RESEARCH THERMOREGULATION LANDSCAPE
Fig. 4 Source: Akogbe, Folorunso, Olaniyi, Olayemi and Aliyu
Fig. 5 Source: dhamainnovations.com
Fig. 6 Source: Faghri
Pros: The system offers complete temperature control across the body and can be applied to a garment for more comfortable use. Cons: The heat pipes can be bulky and may cause discomfort during activities. The system is not responsive to body temperature.
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INITIAL RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION Skin and Body Temperature Mapping With todays technology we can easily measure the core body temperature in different areas, such as the mouth, ear, forehead, rectum, and armpit. Different areas will have slightly different temperature results. Rectal measurements are the most accurate, but the armpit had most potential for a wearable garment design. Measuring the armpit area on its own does not provide enough information. To get the most accurate data, we needed to measure how much heat the body can generate and emit to the environment. For this we looked at existing technology. 1. A Wireless Skin-Like Device. Flexible and soft, it can be placed directly onto the skin, measuring skin temperature, blood flow, and variations in skin hydration (fig. 7).
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Fig. 7 Source: fascodesign.com
“The crystals that make up the device, which are 0.5 mm2 each, can sense temperature changes on the skin’s surface. This is enabled by a wireless heating system that can detect the skin’s thermal properties. This system is charged by electromagnetic waves in the air” (Whiteman).
INITIAL RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION 2. Body Temperature Mapping Sensor. It uses a set of sensors that are designed based on current medical thermal imaging. The sensors show the accuracy of temperature mapping of the skin surface, which in result can show how the body regulates temperature at a fraction of the cost of infrared cameras. They can be applied to moving curves (fig. 8) (Berger). We chose to incorporate these two sensors in the final design to measure core body and skin temperature, and to control the heating and cooling system for thermoregulation.
Fig. 8 Source: nanowerk.com
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INITIAL RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION Peltier Unit The Peltier Effect is a type of thermoelectric effect that consists of two types of semi-conductors. When an electrical current is run through the Peltier unit, one side will heat up while the other cools down. On the other hand, if the current is redirected or reversed the result will be the opposite. Generally, Peltier units are used in electronic devices to cool down the components inside (fig. 9, 10) (“Thermoelectrics�).
Fig. 9 Source: peltiermodules.com
Fig. 10 Source: alibaba.com
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INITIAL RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION Human As Power Source Wearable technology has become ubiquitous. We have more and more devices on our bodies and charging them all can be a big task. Since our target group for this project was older adults with physical limitations, we wanted to eliminate any extra work that may restrict them from using our product. We therefore explored the technology behind selfcharging materials. Within that area, we focused on thermoelectric generation materials (fig. 11, 12). Most of the materials we found are still in the testing stage. However, with advances in technology, we believe that these materials can be incorporated in the final design in the near future. The chosen material for future implementation is the Power Felt due to its ability to generate electricity through contact with the human body. Moreover, the material itself is a fabric, which allows for greater manipulation (fig. 13).
Fig. 11 Source: businessinsider.com
Fig. 12 Source: geek.com
Fig. 13 Source: spectrum.ieee.org
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CONCEPTING SCENARIOS In order to place the product within a context, we began with two main scenarios: 1) a wearable device that connects to an existing system, such as Nest (fig. 14), and 2) a stand-alone wearable system, such as the EsgMassage neck heating pad (fig. 15). The downside of the first scenario is that does not account for multiple occupants with different temperature needs. We therefore decided to focus on the second, a stand-alone wearable. Within that concept we explored two design directions: We came up with two design directions.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON PHYSICAL SELF
“I have a lot of arthritis, so in the morning i don’t feel well at all. I hurt, so i take tylenol and maybe moving around relieves the pain.” GERY SOVIERO
“I suffer in the Summer. Winter is more manageable.”
GUS ROHRS
1. Micro-climate as clothing for thermoregulation. This direction was inspired by our conversation with Gus Rohr (fig. 16). 2. A targeted micro-climate for arthritis pain and swelling relief using hot and cold therapy as treatment. This direction was inspired in part by our conversation with Gery Soviero (fig. 16). We also had a chance to meet with Denis, the older man Robert Langhorn volunteers with through the Heights and Hills. Denis mentioned that he keeps his home very warm since it helps with his arthritis and he quickly gets cold. It was certainly warm in his place. 64 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
Fig.16
Fig.14 Source: nest.com
Fig.15 Source: esgmassage.com
CONCEPTING MATERIAL EXPLORATION We began to research materials best known for thermal comfort and regulation, such as silk, wool, and some synthetic materials. We stated to experiment with different soft materials. Two main considerations were breathability, using perforation, and temperature preservation, using soft material manipulation technique (fig. 16, 17).
Fig.16 Fabric Manipulation Study
Fig.17 Perforated Fabri
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CONCEPTING BODY PLACEMENT STUDY
In parallel with our material experimentation, we explored different body placements for our wearable.
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CONCEPTING BODY PLACEMENT STUDY
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CONCEPTING TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION Controlling Peltier Units We connected Peltier units with Arduino (fig. 18). By controlling the amount of electrical current, we were able to dictate exact levels of heating and cooling. To keep the cold side stable, the heat from the opposite side needed to be removed as quickly as possible. There are several ways to remove heat from Peltier units, namely miniature fans and heat sinks. In this case, a heat sink was the best solution for the purpose. The chosen material for heat sink was aluminum due to its low cost and weight.
Fig. 18
The next step was testing the system on the human body. We put five Peltier units on a shirt around the upper chest and placed a cover layer on top. The goal of this experiment was to get feedback to see if a wearer could feel heat can cold (fig. 19, 20).
Fig. 19
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CONCEPTING TECHNOLOGY EXPLORATION
Targeted microclimate mock-up for user testing, one Peltier unit is located on each pad. Both pads are controlled by Ariduino with two levels of heating and cooling.
Fig. 20
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CONCEPTING USER TESTING We brought mockups to a focus group at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House for testing.
Findings 1. The look of the design is more geared towards women. 2. The material is too stiff and could cause skin irritation. 3. The shape of the pieces cause some confusion regarding where it was intended to be worn.
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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT REFINEMENT Based on the feedback, we began further developments into: 1. Material Selection 2. Graphic and Icon Indication 3. Specification of Use 4. Ergonomics 5. System placement
Fig. 21 Thermotivo Detail Development
For the thermoregulation clothing, we decided to create the system for the top part of the body as a starting point (fig. 21, 23). For the targeted micro-climate idea, the knee joint was selected as it is the most common area for arthritis symptom occurs (fig. 22) (“Arthritis Research UK report�).
Fig. 22 Thermotivo Knee Pad Mock-Ups
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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM DESIGN FOR THERMOREGULATION CLOTHING POWER FELT
PELTIER UNIT
HEAT/COLD
TEMPERATURE MAPPING SENSOR
CORE BODY TEMPERATURE SOFT ELECTRICITY GENERATOR
PELTIER UNIT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
THERMO REGULATION SYSTEM
Fig. 23 Thermotivo System Diagram
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THERMOTIVO
THERMOACTIVE WEAR
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FINAL CONCEPT THERMOACTIVE WEAR
Smart thermoregulating clothing that responds to body temperature to help a person move more comfortably, in and outside of the home.
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FINAL CONCEPT THERMOACTIVE WEAR
Figure X Thermotivo shirt details 02
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FINAL CONCEPT THERMOACTIVE WEAR
Automatic and manual body temperature control Regulates body temperature while sleeping Warms up in the early morning for greater comfort Cools down at bed time for easy resting Stabilizes body temperature according to activity and external temperature changes
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THERMOTIVO KNEE PAD
THERMOACTIVE WEAR
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FINAL CONCEPT KNEE PAD
Manual control Adjustable heating and cooling control Offers heating as pain relief and cooling as swelling and inflammation reduction Flexible material Offers joint support
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FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
In terms of technology and engineering, both designs still need to be developed further. This includes the integration of the power felt and sensors. In terms of design development:
SHOULDER
Thermotivo Thermoactive Wear
BACK & NECK ELBOW
1. Designing Thermotivo pants for completed thermoregulation support (fig. 24). 2. Generating more color, pattern and material options. 3. Designing Thermotivo clothing for men.
HIP WRIST, HAND & FINGER
Thermotivo Knee Pad
KNEE
1. Designing for different joint pain areas on the body (fig. 25). 2. Generating more color and material options.
ANKLE FOOT, HEEL & TOE Fig. 24 Area for Thermotivo Development
Fig. 25 Arthritis Pain Areas
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CONCLUSION
As the outcome of this project, we hope that the design would allow a person to feel more comfortable to move around and to become more active in the home and outdoor environment.
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III. MOTIVATION FOR MOBILITY CREATING A STRUCTURE FOR SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Source: mountpisgah.org
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STRUCTURE FOR SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................... 87 Problem: Social Isolation Potential: Negative Into Positive The Question: How Can We Provide For Social Engagement? II. INITIAL RESEARCH............................................................................... 91 Causes for Social Isolation Context: Urban Environment Socialization Resource in NYC Transportation NYC Opportunity III. THE FINAL CONCEPT.......................................................................... 97 JOIN.IN How It Works Service Website User Interface Design Service Components IV. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS................................................................107 V. CONCLUSION....................................................................................... 108 VI. APPENDICES...................................................................................... 109 A. Service In Use: Animation Clips + Website B. Interface Development C. Animation Development D. The Service
Source: mountpisgah.org
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INTRODUCTION “The isolated object...is of no use whatsoever. It must be inserted into the context of living social relations.” - Walter Benjamin, 1970 As social creatures, we operate within a social context. Like it or not, our well-being depends on our social and physical environment and vice versa. We are all interconnected parts of a bigger system, our society. Society functions when its members function. It’s simple.
THE PROBLEM: SOCIAL ISOLATION FOR OLDER ADULTS Impact on Older Adults’ Mobility This project began as an investigation into the complex issue of social isolation, a serious issue for many older adults today.
LINK BETWEEN SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL
LOSS OF SPOUSE
Social isolation has a direct impact on our overall health - physical, mental, and emotional. It negatively affects a person’s ability to stay mobile, making it difficult, in turn, to remain actively engaged (fig. 1). In her work as Volunteer Coordinator at Heights and Hills, Betsy Guttmacher observed that “most of our clients have become socially isolated and thus physically isolated. People are looking to stay connected.” The Mayo Clinic notes that “physical factors, such as blood cholesterol levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and your immune system are affected by psychosocial factors, such as... your relationships” (Creagan, 119). In short, while social interactions can sometimes be a pain, they are essential in our ability to thrive and exist as social beings.
“I don’t walk as much outside anymore. I have a lot of arthritis...it started after my husband died..” GERY SOVIERO
ACTIVE VIA SOCIALIZATION “I go to a men’s lunch in part because of the mental health surges” JESSE MYERS
Fig. 1
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INTRODUCTION THE PROBLEM: SOCIAL ISOLATION
The Larger Picture When people cease to be a part of the social web, they also cease to be a contributing factor to society. Greater numbers of disconnected older adults with physical challenges and medical needs mean increased strain on the socio-economic infrastructure. According to the Stanford Center on Longevity, the number of older Americans, over 65, will double over the next 30 years, from 40 million to 80 million, increasing the percentage of older adults from 13% to 20% (Dyer-Chamberlain 9). This year, the first wave of baby-boomers turn 65 and the looming demands of millions of seniors threaten to swamp Social Security and Medicare. Some warn that the financial stress could cripple the economy and social structure. (Franklin). Despite the dire predictions, and they may indeed come true, we can take an active stance. There is a bright side.
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INTRODUCTION
WORK/VOLUNTEERING PAST RETIREMENT
THE POTENTIAL: TURNING A NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE COMMUNITY WORK “I help out at my church...We started to remodel it and I helped tear out a room.”
Human Capital + Time Instead of seeing older adults past retirement as a strain, we should see opportunity in their accumulated knowledge and experience. As Marc Freedman, founder of Civic Ventures, Experience Corps, and Encore.org points out,“Never before have so many people had so much experience and the time and capacity to do something significant with it.” (Freedman, Encore) A study by the New Face of Work, reports nearly 60% of soon to be retired participants age 50 - 59 said they were interested in reordering their priorities to put social purpose and impact front and center (Freedman, Encore, 23). In our conversations with older adults we were encouraged to find that most people were either working or volunteering (fig. 2). Others had taken up particular hobbies, such as translating arabic newspapers into English (Sam Zilka) or researching family history (Martin Shaw) in order to stay engaged.
DAVE STOUT
WORK PAST RETIREMENT “Now after retirement I’ve become a lecturer and a writer. I teach James Joyce, an Irish writer, at NYU.” JESSE MYERS
VOLUNTEERING “I tell stories to kids at hospitals. I get something out of it. I like being with people and telling stories from memories to young children.” ELLEN ZILKA
VOLUNTEERING “Volunteering has helped me a great deal. I volunteer at the hospital and church. I like it because I’m interacting with people. I’m not alone.”
Each of them still had the ability and motivation to stay engaged.
GERY SOVIERO
Fig. 2
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INTRODUCTION THE QUESTION: HOW CAN WE PROVIDE FOR SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT? The older adults to whom we spoke had established networks in place. But what happens when an older adult lacks the ability and motivation to be socially enaged? How can we enable him or her to contribute to the greater good? If people lack the ability or motivation to engage, they risk becoming vulnerable to social isolation. The question that guided our research:
HOW CAN WE HELP OLDER ADULTS STAY SOCIALLY ENGAGED THROUGH MOTIVATION AND ACCESSIBILITY?
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INITIAL RESEARCH
CAUSES OF SOCIAL ISOLATION
PRIMARY & SECONDARY RESEARCH
LOSS OF SPOUSE “Often people who have lost a spouse will come to the center because they’re lonely and didn’t know where to go.”
Findings Social isolation is the result of several key challenges that may come with older age. These challenges include living alone, loss of social network, loss of purpose, and physical restrains.
KEISHA BOLDEN
LOSS OF PURPOSE
1. Living Alone. Most older adults prefer to stay at home for as long as possible (Mosby 2). Many, however find themselves living alone whether it is because of a deceased spouse or increasingly disconnected family. The number of people over the age of 75 living alone will nearly double from 6.9 million in 2015 to 13.4 million in 2035 (Fernand 8). 2. Loss of Social Network.The loss or diminishing of one’s social network can leave older adults lonely and without the necessary social support. With age it often becomes harder to reach out to strangers. Relationships take time and building trust with strangers becomes harder.
“I just don’t feel like getting up in the morning. At the moment I have nothing to get up for.” GERY SOVIERO
LOSS OF SOCIAL NETWORK “It’s much harder to make friends at this stage then when you’re younger...since relationships need time.” ELLEN ZILKA
3. Loss of Purpose. Retirement and the loss of a spouse are just two factors that may cause a person to lose their sense of purpose. As social creatures we need to feel like a contributing part of society, like we have a purpose. 4. Physical Restraints. Physical impairments and the lack of adequate transportation hinders older adults from being mobile. This, in turn, creates a sense of physical isolation.
PHYSICAL RESTRAINS “I’ve had a little bit of arthrities, a little bit of sciatica. Sometimes getting out of the chair is literally a bit of a pain. ” MARTIN SHAW
Figure #. Source: Primary Research
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INITIAL RESEARCH THE CONTEXT: URBAN ENVIRONMENT Older Adults and the City Along with the people we also explored the social and environmental context that we wanted to design for. Through the systems, organizations, and institutions already in abundance in most cities, a structure might be plugged into these resources and connect them in order to provide older adults with a one-stop-shop opportunity of social engagement, accessiblity, and meaningful activity. Cities are not just engines of wealth but rather systems that can be shaped to improve human well-being. With the number of people living in cities on a continuous rise, there is a opportunity in making a great impact.
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
GROWTH OF NYC’S AGE 65+, 2005-2030. 2035
2025
Anyone living in New York City can tell you that what makes the city so great is not just its landmarks and tourist sites, but its people. With the city’s rich history and diversity, older adults are its greatest treasure and a great resource for keeping the city sustained (fig. 3).
2020
2015
2010
2005
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
# of NYC’s 65+ (in million) Fig. 3 Source: NYC Department of City Planning, 2030 Report
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INITIAL RESEARCH SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES IN NYC Driven by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Agefriendly Cities initiative, the city of New York has made some notable advancements in optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security for its older adults. Within the areas of social engagment and participation, we chose to focus on two different case studies: 1) Center at Lenox Neighborhood House, and 2) Heights and Hills.
CENTER @ LENOX NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
ACTIVITIES
Case Study I: Center at Lenox Neighborhood House Part of the Age Friendly: NYC initiative was the creation of Innovative Senior Centers (ISCs), which began in 2012. We visited the Manhattanbased Center at Lenox Neighborhood House, one of the recent ISCs, and met with members through several discussion groups. We also spoke with Keisha Bolden, the Assistant Director of Health and Wellness. She noted that “especially for those that have a lot of needs, the center is what keeps them alive and what keeps them social.” The center offers a variety of classes, ranging from yoga and language courses to intergenerational workshops. The later is a part of new initiative bringing together generations through social activities.
“The center is what keeps them alive and social. We offer socialization programs for them through activities.” KEISHA BOLDEN
Source: lenoxhill.org Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 93
INITIAL RESEARCH
HEIGHTS & HILLS
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES IN NYC TRUST-BUILDING “Heights and Hills help individuals age successfully in the community, ‘in place’...a place of their choice.”
Case Study II: Heights and Hills Heights and Hills, based in Brooklyn, provides services that address older adults’ physical and emotional challenges. These services offer the support needed to allow elders to age on their terms, independently and with dignity. We spoke with Cathy Gormley, Director of Programs, and Betsy Guttmacher, Volunteer Coordinator. A large part of H&H is the Friendly Visitors Program, which makes meaningful matches between volunteers and older adults, fostering relationships through trustbuilding and time spent together.
CATHY GORMLEY
PROMPTS “Having [the letter writing] open-ended was a little challenging for people to respond to.” BETSY GUTTMACHER
One project that was especially interesting to us in the context of social interactions was the Pen-Pal project. Two to three 4th graders are paired with older adults through letter writing correspondence. During the pilot year, it became evident that having a very open, unstructured exchange was a little challenging for people. However, as soon as prompts, such as questions, were added, the responses was overwhelming. According to Betsy, “the feedback has been really positive. There’s something energizing and you can hear it in people’s voices. You can see that it’s really kind of invigorating. Knowing that somebody is interested in knowing who they are and [about their past] is really exciting.”
Source: heightsandhills.org
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INITIAL RESEARCH TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS While city dwellers have greater access to public transportation compared to those living in suburban or rural areas, “older adults use the services less often than other groups - suggesting that public transportation may not meet their needs for convenience, safety, affordability, and reliability” (Fernald 5). Mobility for older adults is an ongoing concern for public transit officials. While some advancements have been made in NYC through the Age Friendly: NYC initiative, issues still remain. Senior ridership spikes during the day between peak periods. Yet, many systems struggle with keeping vehicles and facilities accessible for those with mobility issues. This sometimes leads those with (relatively) minor mobility issues to use demand response transit (Access-a-ride/Paratransit), which is a financial strain on the MTA. In fact, it’s so expensive that the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) sponsored a study to look at the possibilities of the MTA canceling their demand response program in favor of simply subsidizing taxi rides.
Source: sa.streetsblog.org
Source: ----
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DESIGN OPPORTUNITY FINDINGS: INITIAL RESEARCH Linking Existing Resources In our research we found a great need for linking existing resources in order to provide a comprehensive, accessible service for older adults.
Platform & Prompts for Social Interactions A platform must be established in order to social interactions. As seen in the examples of the Heights and Hills Pen-Pal Program, prompts are important to initate a conversation and direct social interactions.
Intergenerational Connection There is a great opportunity in mobilizing older adults as a resource to help address social challenges, especially in the area of education and after-school programs for vulnerable children and youth. But it also goes both ways. As Erik Erikson, a renouned psychologist and social thinker points out,“the dependence of children on adults often blinds us to dependence of the older generation on the younger one. Mature man needs to be needed.� In other words, by matching the needs of youth to those of older adults, both sides may be able to reach their full potential in human development (Erikson Childhood 266).
Accessibility Older adults need to be able find and get to places in order to engage with their community. Whether it is finding the services or transportation to locations, accessibility is a key component in allowing older adults to be actively engaged. 96 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
THE DESIGN: JOIN.IN
BROOK LYN CONNECTING WISDOM WITH YOUTH THROUGH LOCAL ACTIVITIES
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THE DESIGN
BROOK LYN
THE SERVICE JOIN.IN is a volunteer-based service that provides the structure for sustained social engagement for older adults. It does so by connecting older adults with younger generations through shared, local activities and by providing older adults with the accessibilty necessary to participate. The service does this by plugging into existing transportation service on a pro-bono basis. Accessibility is also provided through the JOIN.IN website, especially designed with older adults and possible visual and cognitive impairments in mind. JOIN.IN connects community members, partners, and sponsors in order to weave a social network for older adults who may otherwise be socially isolated. Through its activities and..., the service provides a strong foundation for long-term, sustainable growth in social connections, building relationships and potentially creating a local support network for older adults.
BROOK LYN
Source: depositphotos.com
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**For full SCENARIOS AND IN-USE: Appendix I. ANIMATION CLIPS AND WEBSITE
THE DESIGN HOW IT WORKS
Introduction to JOIN.IN via .Word-of-Mouth .Senior or Community Center .Health Provider
Access service through its website.
Sign up for activity and choose a time for next initial meet-up.
Select transportation assistance, if needed.
Find activities in neighborhood.
Create a profile to finalize.
Day of activity transportion assitance will pick up.
At the activity, volunteer coordinator takes attendance to match up participants.
Get to meet activity buddy.
After match-up, coordinator schedules consecutive meetups with matched participants.
Also must give parental permission in the website.
Guardian of youth will be present for initial meet-up.
Pictures can be shared on JOIN.IN website, under the activity’s community folder, or they can be pushed onto facebook and other social media.
JOIN.IN is all about growing relationships. Activities allow older adults and youth to continue building their relationship together Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 99
THE DESIGN
BROOK LYN
SERVICE WEBSITE Accessibility In trying to find meaningful work after retirement, older adults often have difficulty finding something that uses their capabilities and provokes their interest. As Dr. Linda Fried, a geriatrician, reflects; “Many of my patients wanted to make a difference in the world but, finding no role for themselves, were treated as socially useless and even invisible” (Fried). Due to its digital component, JOIN.IN can be accessed at any time and many locations, such as a home computer, mobile device, libraries, senior centers, or schools. Accessibility also comes through its accessible user interface design.
Technology Technology often adds to isolating people by creating a false notion of connectiveness or community. JOIN.IN however uses technology to bring people together in face-to-face interactions. As Betsy from Heights and Hills pointed out; “there’s a great opportunity for technology to play a key role in how people feel less isolated.”
Prompts for Interest During our Senior Center at Lenox Hill discussion groups, we found that it is important to give prompts, choices. Broad questions, such as “What would you like to do?” or “What do you think you teach to others?” only confused people. Instead, when shown some actitvity choices through the JOIN.IN service, they were able to respond. Source: lesinrocks.com 100 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
THE DESIGN
BROOK LYN
USER INTERFACE (UI) DESIGN In designing an interface for older adults, a possible decline in cognitive and visual impairments was considered. In the UI, simplicity and clarity was a guiding factor throughout the design process. The focus here was the targeted use of color, no moving images or pop-ups, minimalism in graphics and layout.
INTERFACE DESIGN CHALLENGES
INFO ORGANIZATION
Navigation The flow of the website is logical and intuitive, even to those users with cognitive impairments or little digital experience. The language used for the website is relatable, designed based on those not familar with computer speak. It was an interesting insight when Ellen Zilka expressed her annoyance with the use of ‘icon’ in computer speak. She could not get over the fact that to her it was a religious figure rather than an image that represents an application or other function. We took it to heart and designed with her and others in mind (figure #).
Readability
“Sometimes it takes him (Gus) a while to find something.” MERI ROHR-BOURGARD
SIMPLICITY
MARTIN SHAW
“As I get older I want fewer choices. Choices are stressful. There often is mental confusion that may arise from too many choices”
Older age often comes with decline in visual ability. As such we designed the interface to be accessibile to those with issues in sight. For the typeface we chose --- as the title and Gotham Rounded for the body text. Both are very legible with clear letters. We adjusted the size according to our feedback at the Lenox Hill. Additionally, users are able to adjust the font size on the screen at any time. Overall color contrast was considered as a part of readability. The final color chosen for the UI are black, white, grey, teal, and orange. **See Appendix I - Service Scenarios: Animation & Website **See Appendix II - Interface Development
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THE DESIGN SERVICE COMPONENTS Transportation JOIN.IN provides older adults with free, reliable transportation to and from the activities. Options include a car service, along with plugging into existing mobile applications that help navigate the NYC public transportation system. Lyft Partnering with the car service, Lyft, JOIN.IN is able to provide those older adults with mobility issues with free, reliable, door-to-door transportation service. Through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), lyft is able to market itself through “using profits to do good” in the form of pro-bono, volunteering work.
Source: lyft.com
Lyft for Good program works with nonprofits and their driver community to creater a positive social impact. One example is the collaboration between the driver volunteers and Little Brother, a volunteer organization in San Francisco that supports isolated older adults. The drivers provide anything from rides to medical escorts. (Figures #) Source: lyft.com LYFT DRIVER (BEN) + LITTLE BROTHER “Many of our elders have limited mobility, so the door-to-door service is vital. Seeing how much they appreciate the human interaction and friendship has been most rewarding” (“Lyft”). 102 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri
THE DESIGN SERVICE COMPONENTS Community Members - Social connection Social Connection + Collaboration In his great treatise, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith argues that human conscience comes from social relationships, and that the natural empathy produced by being among other people is an essential part of well-being and should guide our actions. “The greatest of human satisfactions lies in working and playing cooperatively with other people...strong, positive relationships are the foundation for happiness” (Montgomery 41). Trust-Building “Trust is the bedrock on which cities [or people] grow and thrive” (Montgomery 56). Building trust is essentials in building relationships and sustaining them over time. As people get older, it becomes harder to build trust. JOIN.IN addresses this challenge in structuring its activities around trust-building. Intergenerational Connection While JOIN.IN is open to all ages, it is geared towards older adults and youth in its activities and website direction.
Source: depositphotos.com
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THE DESIGN SERVICE COMPONENTS Activity In order to facilitate social connections, meaningful activities create the base for the interactions. They give the main initial and continued incentive for interaction. Activities were chosen on the basis of their potential for growth to fuel growth in relationship. Activities include Baking, Birdwatching, Knitting, Ceramics, Gardening. Play Activities as potentiators/outlet for play for all generations. “Humans are social animals, and play is the gas that drives the engine of social competence” (Brown #) “There are play and love, and they connect people at the deepest level...Play helps you regain the mind of a child, and better deal with major problems and challenges we face” Barren White (Brown, 215-218). Gardening (Activity) To showcase the service, we highlighted gardenign as an example of an activity. “Gardenign heightens the biophilic benefits of nature, in part because gardening demands more focus than simply observing nature” (Montgomery 122). Gardening in community spaces is in its nature a social act, especially in urban environments. Nature Environmental psychologist Frances Ming Kuo’s discoveries helped establish a clear link between being out in nature, our well-being and behavior “and a powerful social upshot” (Montgomery 110). “Infusions 104 Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri of nature don’t merely calm the mind, they alter our attitudes, making us more trusting and generous toward other people” (Montgomery 161).
Source: depositphotos.com
THE DESIGN SERVICE COMPONENTS Community Partner Community partners may include senior and community centers, schools, parks, neighborhood associations, and urban community gardens. Urban community garden Urban community gardens is one example of how JOIN.IN joins forces with community partners. The service helps the gardens in extending their reach and drawing in more members. Through the collaboration, the gardens may thus expand their own programs through that of JOIN. IN and grow their volunteer base. In turn, the community gardens provide JOIN.IN with the space for the activity and the people power to coordinate and facilitate the events. As the service grows, JOIN.IN will also grow its own volunteer base, helping eventually in its expansion plans.
Sponsors JOIN.IN reaches out to potential local and national sponsors through its non-profit status.
Age Friendly: NYC, City of NYC Corporation for National and Community Service AARP Experience Corps ReServe Federal & city funding through Age Friendly initiative
Source: summitgardennetwork.org Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 105
THE DESIGN SERVICE COMPONENTS Everybody wins While the focus of JOIN.IN is on the older adult, it also has a greater reach and impact on the community, neighborhood, city, and so on. When a person is an active member of a community, that community directly benefits. JOIN.IN helps turn the negative of a devastating ‘silver tsunami’ into an opportunity and asset to the greater community. With the knowledge, experience, and time at hand, older adult sare essential parts to their community. In keepign them engged in their community, the community becomes more engaged in turn. Everybody wins. “People who say they ‘belong’ to their community are happier than those who do not” (Montgomery 134). We build our communities by living it, by being a contributing factor.
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FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS EXPANSION & GROWTH Activities & Events Going forward, activities will be expanded and tailored based on participants’ feedback. Special events will be activity-specific, organized by community partners (for example, the community garden).
Locations JOIN.IN will expand from it’s current location in Brooklyn, NY, to other boroughs of the city. If successful, it will branch into other cities, such as Portland, OR, and San Diego, CA. Potentially cities could be linked via the web and field trips to closer locations.
Retail & Rental Section Retail and rental section with, at first only digital and later physical location. Provide a space for JOIN.IN participants to sell their products if possible. Also, make available products for older adults to buy or rent specific to the activities. Later, products outside of the activities will be available for purchase.
Financial Support JOIN.IN may add some extra activities (such as organizing or planning special events) where participants receive a modest compensation (stipend) for volunteering their time. Furthermore, if any products are sold through the JOIN.IN retail space, participants receive a percentage of the profits. This is to address the fact that nearly one in three who are 65 and older get almost all their income from Social Security and nearly two in three get half or more (Dyer-Chamberlain 20).
QUEENS
OTHER BOROUGHS
NEW YORK
ALL OF NYC
SAN DIEGO
OTHER U.S. CITIES
Examples: Lighthouse International - organization that is a leading resource in helping people overcome the challenges of vision loss; with two schools, online, and physical store. (www.lighthouse.org) Granny’s Finest - organizes weekly knitting and crocheing clubs for social connectivity, products are then sold (www. grannysfinest.com)
encore.org Example: Oscar Health Insurance rewards its clients by discounts for walking certain amounts of steps, etc. Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 107
CONCLUSION “We need to walk [move]. We need to be around other people.... And most of all, we need not to be excluded. We need to feel some sort of equality”. - Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogota, Colombia In creating a structure for social engagement, JOIN.IN is able to address the needs of those odler adults most vulnerable to social isolation. JOIN. IN is able to do so not by creating a whole, new product by rather by taking advantage of the urban diversity by plugging into and connecting existing systems and resources. JOIN.IN is a one-stop-shop opportunity for those that are often left out of the conversation, empowering them as engaged members of society Potential for greater connectivity can be found anywhere. Often it’s just about creating a space for people to gather and connect. To give people the motivation to be engaged and be active, to be mobile, within their community. “We are uniquely suited to get along in settings where, when the stage is right, we manage to turn complete strangers into people worthy of respect and care. We find our best selves not alone...but in the group, on a team, in a village” (Montgomery 316). JOIN.IN gives older adults the freedom to move and how to live. ...building something even stronger than a social network, a support network. Social engagement is a shared project.
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FINAL THOUGHTS LEARNING, OBSERVING, AND MOVING FORWARD
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FINAL THOUGHTS LEARNING, OBSERVING, AND MOVING FORWARD
Collaboration is not always easy, especially when three different minds come together to wrestle with a problem. In the context of design and aging, there are enumerable paths that we could have chosen to follow, and certainly, we found ourselves traveling down a great many of them. In some respects, this is reassuring. The potential to address the needs that come with aging through meaningful products and services is boundless. For us, mobility was fertile ground for exploration. As we learned from the older adults, experts, and advocates with whom we spoke over the past year, it affects everything. Our aim, through each of our projects was to create systems for extending mobility over a person’s lifetime. Through this process we overcame our own assumptions, implanted new ideas in our minds, and transformed into advocates for better aging. We have all aged, and we are all aging. Age, however, is less about the number of years, and more about the quality of life. Genetics aside, when we have the confidence, comfort, and motivation to stay physically and mentally engaged, we have a better chance of extending our healthy years.
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In the course of a year, we have come to know, and appreciate, each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This has been a learning experience for each of us. We have learned what we are good at, where we need support, and where we are interested in going after this phase is over. While we each produced a unique project, what we have accomplished is a direct result of team work.
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APENDIX I: ANIMATION CLIPS + WEBSITE (SERVICE SCENARIOS) 1
2
Her work was rewarding…
Meet Margaret. Margaret was a school counselor for 35 years. 3
4
…especially her interaction with young people
Now that Margaret’s retired, she finds herself spending more time at home. She’s also been facing some physical challenges.
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She would love to be more involved again but she doesn’t know where to start.
Margaret misses being around people. 7
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One day her neighbor tells her about JOIN.IN, a service that aims to help people stay connected to their communities.
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Margaret is curious to see what JOIN.IN could offer her.
How It Works
Sign Up
Log In
BROOKLYN
Connecting youth and wisdom through local activities. Connecting older adults with younger generations through meaningful activities in Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Your Zipcode or Neighborhood or
Use your current location Tell us your neighborhood and we’ll find activities for you.
On the homepage, Margaret enters her neighborhood...
How It Works
BROOKLYN
Sign Up
Log In
Join in Prospect Heights For Prospect Heights, here are 6 activities that are available.
‌and finds a range of activities in her area.
Baking
Birdwatching
Chess
Gardening
Knitting
Pottery
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How It Works
BROOKLYN
Sign Up
Log In
Let’s Garden! For Prospect Heights, here are 3 gardening activities that are available.
C Pacific Bears Community Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
A 990 Washington Ave
Led by High School students from the BASE Academy, you will learn how to plant and grow flowers, vegetables, and more. Next Meet & Greet: Sat, June 6, 2 - 3pm
B Prospect Heights Community Farm
Prospect Heights Community Farm
JOIN_in Hours: Tue-Fri, 10am - 4pm
252-256BSt Marks Ave
Coordinated by PHCFarm Volunteers, participants will learn how to plant and grow within their designated plant boxes. Next Meet & Greet: Sat, June 6, 2 - 3pm
Brooklyn Botanic A Garden
+ View large map
Pacific Bears Community Garden
JOIN_in Hours: Sat-Sun, 10am - 4pm
C Pacific St/Flatbush Ave
Pacific Bears is a volunteer-run garden. Every participant receives a shared plant box to grow flowers and foods in.
Return to activities
Next Meet & Greet: Sun, June 14, 2 - 3pm
How It Works
BROOKLYN
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Her grandmother taught her everything she knows about gardening. She thinks she can do the same for someone else.
JOIN_in Hours: Sat-Sun, 12 - 4pm
Sign Up
Log In
990 Washington Ave
Led by High School students from the BASE Academy, you and your gardening buddy will learn how to plant and grow flowers, vegetables, and more. For more on garden and visitors information, visit the bbg website.
+
General Open Hours
First Meet & Greet
Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm
1st and 3rd Saturday of month, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Regular meet-up schedule will be decided during first meet & greet.
Overview of service and garden Meet your gardening buddy Initial ‘how-to’ gardening lessons
RSVP for First Meet & Greet to get started.
Return to gardening results
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Schedule future meet-ups with buddy
RSVP: Meet & Greet
She chooses the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
How It Works
Sign Up
Log In
We want to meet you! Gardening at Brooklyn Botanic Garden June 2015 Sat, June 6 2:00 - 3:00pm
Sat, June 20 2:00 - 3:00pm
Sat, July 4 2:00 - 3:00pm
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First Meet & Greet Gardening Brooklyn Botanic Garden
RSVP
First Meet & Greet Gardening Brooklyn Botanic Garden
RSVP
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Please sign up or log in first to continue.
BROOKLYN
margaretkeller@email.com
........
Sign Up or
Sign Up with Facebook
I already have an account
In order to continue,...
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Set up your profile Step 1 of 2: About You Your information is private. Only your profile picture and name will be visable to others.
First Name*
Margaret
Gender*
female
Birthdate*
02/05/1946
Phone Number*
212.212.2121
* Required
Recent Photo of Yourself Add picture from computer or
Take Picture with webcam or
Add picture later
Next: Get Verified
...Margaret creates a profile...
Set up your profile Step 2 of 2: Get Verified You must verify yourself in order to continue and participate in activities.
Choose a verification method
Photo Check
Personal Details
Use your webcam to verify that your face matches your driver’s license or passport
Fast and safe electronic verification via BlockScore, cross checked through government databases.
Both choices give you an equal level of verification. Verification is free. Please not that we do not store any data used for verification. Read all about our privacy policy here. If you have any problems verifying yourself using the methods above, please contact our team and we will be happy to help.
Return to Step 1 of 2
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Finish with profile setup
...and verifies her identity. Safety first.
Good Afternoon, Margaret!
BROOKLYN
Menu
Congrats, you’re almost there! Sat, June 6
First Meet & Greet
2:00 - 3:00pm
Gardening Brooklyn Botanic Garden 990 Washington Ave
I don’t feel confident going to the garden by myself since I have some difficulties walking. Also, I might need assistance at the garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
With one click, she confirms her attendance and asks for mobility assistance at the garden.
+ View large map
Please remind me of Meet & Greet. We’ll send you a text and call you an hour before the event.
Confirm
Good Afternoon, Margaret!
BROOKLYN
Menu
How do I get there? Time & Place
Need assistance getting there? We offer free transportation assistance.
Gardening Sat, June 6 2:00 - 3:00pm
By Foot
For short distances, JOIN_in will provide an escort to walk you to and from the activity location.
Contact: Melanie 212.555.5555 Brooklyn Botanic Garden 990 Washington Ave
By Car
JOIN_in has partnered with car service to provide you with reliable and safe transportation.
By Public Tranportation
She doesn’t feel as comfortable navigating the city anymore,...
+
+
JOIN_in uses subway accessibilty app, to provide you with real-time accessibility information. Continue without Assistance
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Good Afternoon, Margaret!
BROOKLYN
Menu
We’ve got you covered. Pick-Up by Sam will pick you up in a purple beetle, license plate ‘ADL 4867’ on Saturday, June 6, at 1:45 pm from 220 Lincoln Place to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Do you have any special needs or requests for transportation? Please let us know.
Any Questions? Call 212.111.1111 Need any additonal support? Call 212.222.2222 Return to transportation assistance
Confirm Pick-Up
See you soon, Margaret!
BROOKLYN
... so she opts for the free car service.
Menu
Activities
Agenda Next
Gardening
First Meet & Greet This Sat, June 6 2:00 - 3:00pm
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Heights No pictures yet.
No pictures yet.
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Margaret can’t wait to meet her new gardening buddy and start growing things together.
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Meet Jimmy.
Jimmy is in 5th grade. He loves learning about bugs and plants. 12
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Jimmy hears about JOIN.IN during a class field trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
He tells his mother about it and she thinks it’s a great idea.
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Jimmy and his mom visit the site. Because he’s under 18, she signs him up and will also accompany him to the garden. 15
On the day of the event, Sam, the lyft driver, picks up Margaret. 16
They have a nice chat on the way to the Botanic garden. Sam walks Margaret the whole way inside of the garden.
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At the garden, the JOIN.IN coordinator greets everyone and gives a short introduction.
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Margaret then gets to meet her new gardening buddy, Jimmy, and his mother.
They spend the rest of the day working on their planter together, sharing stories. 20
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Everyone’s having a wonderful time getting to know each other.
Margaret hasn’t felt this energized and happy in a while.
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At the end of the day, Margaret and Jimmy say goodbye.
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They’re both looking forward to next week when they will plant some flowers, pumpkins, and carrots together.
APPENDIX II - INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT Prototypes
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APPENDIX II - UI DESIGN RESEARCH Readability: Typeface, Color Contrast
Stitch.net
all pictures have a black filter over it.
Encore.org
Taproot Foundation.org
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APPENDIX II - UI DESIGN RESEARCH UI Design Inspirations
Encore.org Volunteer/work
TaskRabbit Help with tasks
Skillshare Learn/teach
VolunteerMatch Volunteer
Navigation: Flow Flowchart of Stitch.net
Stitch.net Dating site Currier, Foik, Kangchirdsri 129
APPENDIX III - ANIMATION DEVELOPMENT Storyboarding
SCAN & ADD OTHERS
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APPENDIX III - ANIMATION DEVELOPMENT Characters & Cars Design Examples
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APPENDIX III - ANIMATION DEVELOPMENT Environments Design Examples
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