Can communication design add value to the context of Alzheimer's disease?

This paper reflects on Alzheimer’s disease from a communication design point of view. Using a personal and phenomenological approach, the research investigates different ways in which communication design can be applied to the context of Alzheimer’s disease. In an iterative process between practice and research, visual outcomes were produced specifically looking at raising awareness and understanding of the disease and facilitating interaction between people with Alzheimer’s disease and their carers and families. These provided the basis for reflection on considerations to be taken into account in communication design for Alzheimer’s disease.

MA Communication Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
May 2012

 

Family game v2.0

A second iteration of the family card game was developed, taking into account the previous testing. The cards and type were made bigger, no use of colour or patterns. Instead, a small description about the person on the card was added, as well as a question regarding kinship that would redirect her to another person. The pictures used were all close-ups where the face of the person is clearly visible. It was again tested with my grandmother. She engaged with the game, being able to recognize the people in the cards more easily, even if not always. She was interested in reading the small sentences about the people in the cards. Although she would get lost with the questions, if no one were helping her, when looking for the answer in the other cards. It revealed to be helpful to my family to enhance conversation with my grandmother, but she can also look at it and maintain interest for some time on her own.

A template will be produced so that other people can use and modify according to their loved one, deciding what is more appropriate. It doesn’t have to be the people of the family, but maybe places, or objects – building a set of cards that are meaningful to them. They also allow different ways and levels of interaction.
The cards work as cue to remind people with AD of memories they have more difficulty to remember. Although it won’t bring their memory back, it was thought to be a good exercise and an easy help for my family to stimulate the person with AD.

Ping Pong

Very touching and interesting documentary about ageing well.