AGED CARE
creating a sense of home
IN the final CHAPTER of life
summary
This project explored ways of fostering, nurturing and protecting a sense of home and self for people moving into and already living in residential aged care.
This work was completed by a team of designers at
Craig Walker Design and Research.
My Role
Mid-level Interaction Designer
Research and synthesis
Identification of opportunity areas
Ideation of concepts
Development and delivery of design recommendations
THE CHALLENGE
How might we create an environment where people of all levels of health, capability and culture in aged care feel at home?
OUR RESEARCH
Interviews with current and prospective residents, families, staff and stakeholders.
Co-design workshops with residents, stakeholders and leadership.
Desk research and service safaris to form a view of the market and adjacent industries.
WE CREATED…
A documented voice of the customer as a set of profiles for stakeholders to understand the needs and views of all users from customers to staff.
Guiding principles of homeliness to underpin design solutions.
A set of basic service concepts based on research insights.
Key INSIGHTS
You make me feel at home
When dislocated from old homes and familiar lives, people find home in the way they are treated by others.
I know my rhythm of life
Familiarity is more than a place or a possession, it’s people, lifestyle, and autonomy in decision-making.
Stop to say hello
A residential care home is not a workplace, it’s peoples’ homes, and staff need to be aware of this and engage with residents.
Respect my privacy
A person’s room is their own space and this should be respected, even with a simple knock on the door.
