Co-design for Healthy Ageing

Inspired by Singapore, a cross-cultural, cross-generational student project.

  • Investigators

    • Prof Lisa Scharoun
    • A/Prof Danny Hills
    • A/Prof Raghavendra Gudar

  • Partner organisation

    • New Colombo Mobility Program

  • Undertaken within

Inspired by Singapore, Co-Design for Healthy Ageing is a New Colombo Plan funded, cross-cultural, multidisciplinary study tour exploring design for healthy ageing. Staff from the University or Canberra and Monash University took 40 Nursing and Design students from Australia to Singapore to collaborate with 60 of their counterparts from Singapore, Taiwan & Hong Kong and elders in different living and care circumstances in Singapore.

Using co-design methodology, the study tour opened the eyes and minds of the students who created empathetic solutions for healthy ageing that could have application around the world.

Cross-cultural connections are essential in creating new solutions for global social issues. This project is in collaboration between five institutions and multiple schools within each institution. Working together as a truly cross-cultural, multi-discipliany and cross-institutional team we have established strong partnerships and created new insights that would not be possible without working together in this way.

FUNKtional Space

FUNKtional Space has a clever design that allows for functionality while maintaining a sense of freedom and independence. With the input from the clients of Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home, we modified the existing environment to utilise its functionality and make it client-centred.

AST Exercise Couch

Based on the feedback we received from the clients at the Sree Narayana Care Centre, coupled with the staff that work there, we have designed a compactible chair that will enable clients to recline and be comfortable for a short nap.

CareConnect App Hero

CareConnect is a simple multi-functional app, designed to improve communication between staff and clients in senior care centres. This allows for pre-planning to optimise manpower, resources and expenses.

Moti App

Moti is an application which performs two primary functions. As a resource, it will deliver the healthcare team a wide variety of therapeutic activities based on patients’ interests and rehabilitation targets. As a tool, it will assist the healthcare team in tracking each of their patients’ level of engagement and effort when attending activities and providing self-care.

Exten–Tables

Exten-Tables is a portable table extension design that incorporates an extendable, lockable tray more ergonomically designed to cater for residents that require a wheelchair.

Behind the Wall

We will inject vibrant colours and liven up the atmosphere of the corridors of AWWA. Students from the nearby schools can bond with the individual residents and illustrate their stories onto the corridor walls.

Let's Rojak

Let’s Rojak is a structured intergenerational program which aims to tackle the problem of social isolation among the elderly residents living in AWWA Senior Community Home (SCH).

Comm-Pod

Our solution involved designing a communal activity area that would serve as a therapeutic space for elderly patients. The communal space would be on level one of the hospital, so better access will be made available for the patients.

The Fortitude Step

The Fortitude Step is a prototype of an exoskeleton, which will be made out of ABS plastic (Lego), fishing wire and elastic. These are lightweight, strong and durable materials. By using these materials, the cost can be kept low, making this product more accessible to a wider population.

Wisroom

The concept of our product is to make the hospital stay for patients, in the step-down care facility, homelier and more individualised. We modified the environment around the bed by incorporating a shelf where the patients can place their personal belongings such as the newspaper, books and family pictures.

The Dooli

The Dooli comes from the word “independence” in Mandarin which underpins the aim of our design. The Dooli was designed to promote independence, dignity and comfort for users who require assistance to use the bathroom due to illness, injury or disability.

Bijou Pod

The Bijou Pod is a small pod containing both plants and a waterproof music system. Bijou refers to something small and elegant, just like our product. The elderly will have the responsibility for trimming and watering the plant, promoting a sense of independence and accomplishment, while also being an activity to do in their spare time.

Medical Multi-Cane (MMC)

Our product solution is a walking stick that is able to support the senior citizens with increased comfort, ease of use, independence and safety. The Medical Multi-Cane (MMC) is a revolutionary design that is both a walking cane and crutches in one device.

reMEDber

reMEDber is a technology package that assists older adults manage their medicinal regime in their own home. Supporting up to eight different tablets and two liquid prescriptions, reMEDber dispenses accurate dosages for up to four weeks.

Asystem

With Asystem, we are reinventing the call bell, responding to the residents' needs and desires for independence. Asystem is an application for the residents to manage their own care plan for the day and to empower them to make choices for their own rehabilitation.

Droop-Not

The Droop-Not wheelchair has add-on features that promote an elder’s autonomy and improved posture. An exoskeleton is built into the back of the wheelchair, which is moulded into the natural sitting position of a human.

CareConnect

CareConnect provides residents from different care homes with the ability to communicate among themselves and with volunteers. With CareConnect, the ease of video calling is a simple log-in webpage. This program will bridge the gap between the care homes in Singapore.

Pearl's Hill Market

An open, biannual, marketplace will establish a connection between the Care Home’s residents and community. In the marketplace, there will be booths selling handmade items and activities. Residents will join various interest groups, where they will work on their designated items during the few months prior to opening.

Fall Alert Sensor

Our product concept is an automated fall sensor system that integrates support from the emergency and eldercare centre’s volunteering services. We designed a contact-free and wireless solution for detecting falls.

Multi-Generational Living

We have designed an estate that would comprise a mixture of 3-4 room apartments for nuclear families and studio apartments for older adults. A multi-generation living environment will provide older adults with more connection to society instead of segregating them into “elderly only apartments” as they age.