Lost in translation - A Passion Project to identify and address a challenge prevailing in society
Inspiration
My core inspiration for this project came from my house itself, my grandmother Mrs. Sushila Hegde, 82 who was my first case study for this research. By being completely involved in her routine and coincidently applying the immersion method, I observed a certain behavioural change over the years. I recognised a pattern in her responses to various tasks at hand.
After a major life event of being hospitalized in 2016, she found herself in a binding situation where she was incapable of performing certain activities that left her distressed. Along with visible physical issues, hints of psychological and social challenges were noticeable.
Her caregivers including myself kept looking for possible activities to keep her occupied and engaged only to find very limited activities that were customised to her need.
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Year
Type
Graduation Project
2020
User Interviews | Field Study | Co-creation | Collage
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For Amma,
my constant inspiration and my biggest cheerleader.
On the Left: Sushila Hegde, AKA my Amma,
1932 - 2020
The design challenge
The challenge is to design health-sensitive opportunities for the elderly population, helping them stay vital, connected & stimulated
How might we help the elderly to stay physically, mentally and socially stimulated?
While holistic healthcare for the elderly remains a concern, their growing population will increase the need for them
Ultimate Impact
The aim is to provide the elderly an opportunity to holistic healthcare by exploring and engaging them in physical, cognitive, emotional & social wellbeing
“Ageing in India is exponentially increasing due to the impressive gains that society has made in terms of increased life expectancy. With the rise in the elderly population, the demand for holistic care tends to grow.”
(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2008) World Population Prospects 2008 Revision)
On the top: Mr Kantilal Kalyani Gogri during the interview creating his collage for the prompt word ‘Healthcare’.
On the left: Mr Kishanchan Mitrani photographed with his collection of Hindu Scriptures that he describes as his guide to a purposeful life.
“Old age is not a burden, old age has its own beauty, the mind is like a riped fruit, the mind is ready to dwell insights and contemplate on the realness of nature”
-Mr Kishanchan Mitrani, 84
Design Insights
These principles describe the most important elements of the solution and give integrity and form to what has to be designed
We go where they go
Our solution must be delivered to them in their space of comfort and security. We need to bring the interaction and activity to them at their will.
We celebrate them as Advanced Age to secure individualism
We respect their unique quality of life and do not underestimate their ability to excel. We give them free non-judgmental space to flourish.
We aim to ease and aid better
Creating unattainable goals makes the elderly feel the solution is not meant for them so they disregard it completely. The elderly need to feel within reach and the solution must fit their lifestyle and not alter it.
Family - A union, the supporter, a core motivator and a connection
The family will always be a motivating force for the elderly’s involvement in activities.
Focus on health
Social & Psychologcal challenges
Fear
Cautious consciously
Physical
Limitations
Self imposed restrictions
On the top: A series of brainstorming ideas and relational mapping
How might we design a holistic health-sensitive opportunity that fits the cautious lifestyle of the elderly?
And this is how
I developed a solution for our wonderful advanced age group by creating a brand that serves as a virtual, real, and spiritual platform designed just for them. This brand is dedicated to celebrating their lives, focusing on happiness rather than health issues or the sadness of old age.
It offers creatively driven solutions that deliver enjoyable activities to their homes, encourages engagement with their most important social connections—family—and provides opportunities for broader community interactions through a developed community space.
According to Bruce Miller, MD, a behavioural neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, while brains inevitably age, creative abilities do not necessarily deteriorate
ART TO THE RESCUE!
Making art or even viewing art causes the brain to continue to reshape, adapt, and restructure, thus expanding the potential to increase brain reserve capacity. Art is thus a possible solution and this marks further exploration of creative endeavours to cater as a holistic approach for elderly healthcare.
On the left: My grandmother indulging in art and thoroughly letting her self be
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A Free Space
I performed this activity with my grandmother Mrs. Sushila Hegde. Along with my cousin, we created this collaborative artwork. We encouraged our dearest grandmother to further give a life to this picture by adding a storyline.
According to her, this is an old man named Tukaram who lives alone. This is a sketch of him standing near the balcony, looking outside. He is a clerk at an office who works on the book printer that she drew on the right side corner.
P.S. I was honoured to receive the "Most Innovative Project Award" for this project at NIFT Patna. I dedicate this achievement to my Amma.
On the left: My wannabe Oscar red carpet moment 🏆
All these wonderful people are no longer with us. May they rest in peace.