FYP Weekly Report:

Week 5/13 – 15/9/2017

Student: Douglas Lim Jun Siang
Supervisor: Peer M Sathiskh

Next action to be taken:
1. Working on the Desired direction and experimental of possible concepts.

FYP Weekly Report:

Week 4/13 – 8/9/2017

Student: Douglas Lim Jun Siang
Supervisor: Peer M Sathiskh

What have I done?

1. Studying the Existing product

Existing Products: Function, Usability and Aesthetic

1. Mobility Device without wheels.

Please refer to the inspiration board.
The key takeaways from these inspiration board are as followed:

i.          Understand the activities that the elderly want to go through
ii.         The existing products looked very futuristic. It’s cool but does it represent dignity?
iii.        Does it fit the user, in terms of aesthetic?
iv.        How does it function?

Sources: Pinterest ( Mobility, Robotic, Art Concepts)

 

What’s Next?

1. Define the design language for elderly dignity.
2. Preparation for Friday Consultation.
   
   I’m gonna use mind map to do my presentation tomorrow.
   But how?
3. Progress

   a. How I plan to spend my 7 weeks for the 2nd presentation
   b. Mind Maps (5 Ws and 1 H)
   c. In depth understanding of the cause of immobility.
   d. Why Osteoarthritis? – It’s a degenerative disease. It can happen to anyone because of old age. Wear and tear. Injuries and Obesity.

4. Desired Direction
   Apparently, there is missing information.

So what is missing?

a. Mobility Level Chart

b. The degree of pain level in Stages

c. Detailed Aspiration to generate storyline
(Missing persona image, More detailed desires)

d. Graphic information of the Environment.
(Understanding the context and constraint)

e. At which stage, should we come in with the designed solution?

1. Problem Statements:

   1.How can we make mobility easier for the target group? (General)

   2. How can we prevent the bones from rubbing on each other? (Functional Aspect)

   3. How can we reduce the contact of the floor to the bone?

   4.How can we cushion the impact?

   5.How do you design the device with Dignity? (Social Aspect)

2. Design Objectives:

   1. Is to get the user from one point to another point.
   Point A to Point B

   2.Relieve them from experience pain.

3. Opportunities:

   1. The environment will be changed to cater to the elderly needs.
   (Infrastructure, road conditions, Buildings)

   2. Integrating functions with the environment.
   (Product to environment)

Bibliography

Brown, J. (13 9, 2017). Romad Mobility Design. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/24344739/Romad-Mobility-Design

Chang, V. Y. (13 9, 2017). Emapthik: mobility aid for seniors. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/8963821/EmpathiK-mobility-aid-for-seniors

Chiam, K. (13 9, 2017). Reflex – Redesigning a Walking Aid. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/41221667/Reflex-Redesigning-a-Walking-Aid

Mahadi, R. (13 9, 2017). Swon Mobility Scooter (Final Year Project). Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/22699419/Swon-Mobility-Scooter-(Final-Year-Project)-

Nandy, S. (13 9, 2017). STAIR CLIMBING MEDICAL WALKER. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/31018101/Sahay-STAIR-CLIMBING-MEDICAL-WALKER

 

FYP Weekly Report:

Week 3/13 – 1/9/2017

Student: Douglas Lim Jun Siang
Supervisor: Peer M Sathiskh

What have I done?

1. Peer Consultation: 31 August 2017 (Thursday)

 

Documentation: Voice Recording – Peer Consultation 1 310817

Observation Feedbacks:

1. Be extra careful on the information that is given to you.

If you go to the rehab centre, or physio centre, they will tell you the physical aspect. They are only interested in tactical solution, for example how to elevate the pain better?
Whereas for us, designers, we are looking at strategic level of understanding and listening to their heart and mind.

What’s Next?

1. Understand the difference level of solutions. Tactical, physical and strategic
2. Beware of what is tactical and what is strategic.
3. 
   The Power of Aspiration.

If they aspire to take a bus and visit their grandchildren or do things by themselves, then we are looking at another level of mobility requirement. Don’t go in with a design in mind and ask the user what do they want from a design. More of the times, they will have their requirements and we can answer to it. That’s adding stuff, not design.

1. Where do they want to go?

Scenario: If I were to travel and I have a maid that tags along with me. I don’t have mental privacy when I’m with a maid.

1. What is your ideal expectation?

Scenario: Auntie wants to go buy 4D then she wants to go to the 7 – 11. What other things that she does? If she/ he can walk free-er. At her age, what does she wants to do?

Then you will understand his aspiration of her mobility.

1. Go in depth observation. Mobility level:

You should capture the fact to strengthen the value of this project.

1. Some of them can walk like 10 steps.
2. Some of them are just not able to move.

• How far are they able to move?

1. How fast are they able to move?
2. Understanding the instrumental level. – What else can you do, other than wheelchair? And what is the kind of mobility aid that they are using?
3. What are their feedbacks?

• Asking Perceive (observation) question:
  What would you like to do?
• Chart out what are the common problems that occurs at different ages.
  Things that is going to bring mobility back. Not to the level of age 25 years old but at the age of 60 /70. Chart out what are the common problems that occurs at different ages. At this age, how can we make the 20% back to 60%?

What’s Next?
i. Research on the mobility level issues.
ii. Create a statistic chart.

1. Answering Psychological Problem

Getting up is a problem – If something can support and relieve their motion.

How do we make mobility easier?

1. Design Direction
2. How do you create the design with dignity?

How do you design it to be like a Today’s product?

ii. Material

iii. Custom Design
 

Bibliography

Brown, J. (13 9, 2017). Romad Mobility Design. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/24344739/Romad-Mobility-Design

Chang, V. Y. (13 9, 2017). Emapthik: mobility aid for seniors. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/8963821/EmpathiK-mobility-aid-for-seniors

Chiam, K. (13 9, 2017). Reflex – Redesigning a Walking Aid. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/41221667/Reflex-Redesigning-a-Walking-Aid

Mahadi, R. (13 9, 2017). Swon Mobility Scooter (Final Year Project). Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/22699419/Swon-Mobility-Scooter-(Final-Year-Project)-

Nandy, S. (13 9, 2017). STAIR CLIMBING MEDICAL WALKER. Retrieved from Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/31018101/Sahay-STAIR-CLIMBING-MEDICAL-WALKER

I’m hitting a brick wall now because of the following:

Aging is not the only factor that causes immobility.

FYP Weekly Report:

Week 2/13 – 25/8/2017

Student: Douglas Lim Jun Siang
Supervisor: Peer M Sathiskh

What have I done?

1. Working on the Feedbacks.

The following are the set of questions and comments given by the PD professors and schoolmates:

Target Group Suggestion:

1. Be specific on your target group.
2. Different types of illness, different types of effects and different types of needs.
3. There are different stages of immobility so which level are you looking at? Why?

My research objective is to identify my target group for this project and understand their many needs.

The definition of an elderly:
Under Singapore statistics, people at the age of 65 and above is classified as an elderly.

The cause of elderly immobility:
The following is the list of common disease and illness:

Physical

Musculoskeletal disorders
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Fractures (especially hip and femur)
Podiatric problems

Neurological disorders

Stroke ( Top 4 killer in Singapore)
Parkinson’s disease ( Increasing patients in recent years)
Other (cerebellar dysfunction, neuropathies)

Cardiovascular disease

Congestive heart failure (severe)

Coronary artery disease (frequent angina)

Peripheral vascular disease (frequent claudication)

 

Pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive lung disease (severe)

My project will be focusing on elderly at the aged of 65 and above. The types of illness that I am working on is Osteoarthritis.

Mobility is a key aspect to achieve an active aging. The effect immobility can lead to

Aging, is not the only factor that cause immobility.

 

Degeneration of the body cells and organs leads to poor immune system. Therefore, leading other common illnesses and diseases to be developed and contributes to immobility.

 

I want to create a device that helps these patients because they need more attention. This is the first step of toward building a mobility device that replace wheelchair. Fight the pain by giving the elderly the confidence that they can do it.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis. Initially it affects the joint cartilage, causing pain in the joints. The pain and stiffness in the joint can ultimately restrict movement. The pain tends to get worse towards the end of the day and with activity.

The primary cause of osteoarthritis is increased age and “wear and tear” of the joints. However, there is increasing research evidence that osteoarthritis may be more than just “wear and tear”.

Osteoarthritis can also arise as a side effect of other problems that put abnormal stress on the joints, such as obesity (from the joints having to carry that extra weight), abnormally shaped hips and knees (added stress is placed on these joints when a person moves), a previous fracture or injury involving the joint, or in the case of some sportsmen, repeated stress to the joint.

Who gets affected?

Osteoarthritis affects both men and women with women having a higher rate of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis rates increase sharply after the age of 50.

What are the risk factors for Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is linked to age, obesity, sports injuries, hereditary (especially osteoarthritis of the hands) and may be associated with other forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Can Osteoarthritis develop in all joints?

Almost any joint can be affected. However, Osteoarthritis commonly develops in the knees, hips, spine, and hands.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

The first symptom of Osteoarthritis is a recurring pain in the affected joint(s) or muscles around the joint after a period of prolonged or strenuous use, such as after a long walk or exercise. The pain increases with continued use of the joint, but usually subsides after sufficient rest.

Mild stiffness usually sets in when the joints have been rested (“gelling”). Therefore, if you’ve been sitting still for some time, your hips and knees may feel stiff upon standing again.

In advanced Osteoarthritis where much of the cartilage or “protective lining” around the joints has disintegrated, it may cause an increased secretion of joint fluid, which tends to accumulate around the joint area leading to mild swelling of the joint.

What happens to the joints in Osteoarthritis?

Our joints are normally covered with cartilage so that they can glide over each other smoothly. In Osteoarthritis, the joint cartilage steadily softens and disintegrates over time.

With the loss of this protective material, the exposed bones of the joint begin to grind against each other more easily and wear each other out, creating a painful sensation when weight is put on them, such as during walking or standing up.

As the condition progresses, cysts, bony lumps and excess fluid may develop in the affected joint, giving rise to a swollen joint.

How is Osteoarthritis diagnosed?

If a patient exhibits the symptoms of Osteoarthritis, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis by doing a physical examination and X-rays. The degenerative effects of Osteoarthritis on the bones of the joint will show up clearly on the X-ray.

Sometimes, additional tests and procedures may be needed:

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
   – may be used to get a better picture of the condition of the joint.
2. Joint aspiration
   – may be carried out to obtain a sample of the fluid in the joint.
3. Arthroscopy
   – a procedure in which the interior of the joint is visualised by using a special instrument.

What is the treatment for Osteoarthritis?

There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis. However, there is evidence that OA is not just due to ‘wear and tear’. Hence, sustained and increasing research is necessary. Treatment of osteoarthritis centers on alleviating its symptoms, regaining lost muscle strength and surgery.

1. Medication

Most medications treat only the symptoms of Osteoarthritis. Paracetamol (Panadol) can be prescribed for low-level pain, while stronger drugs like non-steroidal anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and COX-2 inhibitors may be necessary for more severe pain. The effect of glucosamine and chondroitin is variable. Speak to your doctor first before you try these supplements.

If movement becomes significantly affected, steroids or hyaluronic acid preparation may be injected directly into the joint. The effect is usually temporary and cannot be used in the long term as they can cause adverse side effects.

1. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is needed to build up the strength in the surrounding muscles so that they can hold up the joint better, lessening the stress and strain that is exerted on the joint.

Exercises such as walking (with an aid, if necessary), swimming or cycling are recommended for most forms of arthritis.

1. Surgery

In advanced cases, surgery may be required to remove bone fragments, realign the joints, or even replace the joint with an artificial part.

Are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis similar?

Both are arthritic conditions, but the causes are different. Rheumatoid Arthritis arises out of the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues, while primary Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joints.

What are the complications of Osteoarthritis?

The condition can be debilitating and sufferers may be at some risk of depression. Severe Osteoarthritis can result in joint deformity.

Can Osteoarthritis be prevented?

One cannot prevent ageing. One can however reduce the risk of developing Osteoarthritis by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in moderate exercise and eating a healthy and nutritious diet. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further joint damage and deformity.

After researching on the types of illness and disease, physical mobility is essential to strengthen and boost the quality of active aging.

Why Osteoarthritis instead of other illness?

Of all the diseases and illness, Osteoarthritis will be commonly faced by Singaporean in future.

Here the top three reasons why?

1. Young and Active People are getting Osteoarthritis

2. Poor lifestyle
3. Osteoarthritis cannot be prevented.

Possible Design Direction:

Prevention Measures:

1. Maybe it can be an education system to prevent mobility issues.
2. Create a chair that people will want to reject being on it.

Responsive Measures:

1. As for People who already have this mobility issue I want to give them another alternative. If they choose to be wheel chair bound, so be it. For those who yearns to achieve more things, my design can help. It’s a matter of choice.

   Product Function:

2. Able to enhance their physical ability
3. Able to take more steps
4. Able to walk longer distance

1. Able to overcome the traffic light before it goes red.

Other comments:

1. Aging is part of life
2. What you reap, what you sow.
3. Elderly wants to do things by themselves.
4. Actions Taken:
   
   Following actions made:
   1. Emailed to the respective centres to be a volunteer.
   2. Talk to people

      Interact with the following personnel

      1. Doctors

Two training doctors gave two different opinions in terms of mobility issues.

These are their inputs.

The problems that I would like to work on is …
It is a degenerative disease on the joint

1. Elderly
   Interview with Mr Gong

Mr Gong Profile:

Point A to Point B

Activity chart: Sitting, standing, walking.

i. Where does the weight land on?
ii. What kind of the impact are we looking at?
iii.When is the painful part?

Key takeaways:

1. Infographics:
   1. After having all the information required, I created the following infographics to make the information easier to understand and less dense.
2. Pain :
   1. As we are unable to experience the pain from the elderly, it generates other different effects that worse the experience.
3. Different Expectation:
   1. The elderly I spoke to have a certain expectation on how they lived their life. They already knew what is ahead for them and there is nothing for them to expect. Except for more disease to strike and take them away.

 

Bibliography

After hip fracture, exercise at home boosts day-to-day function. (14 March , 2014). Retrieved from Harvard Health Publications Harvard Medical school : https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/after-hip-fracture-exercise-at-home-boosts-day-to-day-function-201402197041

Hennie CJP Janssen, M. M. (25 August, 2017). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Retrieved from Vitamin D deficiency, muscle function, and falls in elderly people1,2: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/4/611.full

 National Library Education & Outreach. (03 September , 2017). Retrieved from Singapore Aging population: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/sure/ageing-population/

Schwab, K. (31 8, 2017). Why You Should Be Designing For Your 73-Year-Old Self. Retrieved from Co.Design: https://www.fastcodesign.com/3067220/why-you-should-be-designing-for-your-73-year-old-self

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FYP Weekly Report:
Week 1/13 – 18/8/2017
Student: Douglas Lim Jun Siang
Supervisor: Peer M Sathiskh

What have I done?

1. My objectives. For the first FYP presentation, I would like to achieve the following items:
a. Allow the audiences to understand the importance of developing a mobility device for the aged.
b. Bring the audiences closer to my work and get their inputs and experience
c. Create Interaction and engagement with the audiences

2. Actual presentation. I had presented the following script to the PD professors and schoolmates:

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, profs and fellow schoolmates, it’s my pleasure to share with you, my FYP topic, mobility for the aged. My supervisor is peer and my name is Douglas lim.

In order, to better facilitate this presentation, I will list out the 3 key components for today’s presentation.

 

 

No1. My design motivation which involves my interaction with the seniors which links to my discovery of my passion.

No2. Key observation which list out the potential problems & design opportunities.

No3. Design statement where I will establish a desired outcome for the next 25 weeks.

And lastly, I will end off with all your guidance’s in Q&A session.

Well, this is my first touch point on FYP with this senior, benny. For the last two weeks of his FYP, we were rushing to do as much as possible to meet his last deadline. Although the timing was tight we still had a great time.
Most importantly, he taught me two things:
1. Don’t do last minute work.
2. Do your fyp with passion. And I asked why. (Read the storyline)

 

Because of this, I listed out all the things that matter to me. I went to Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook to look at all the things that I posted online. And here you go, all these images have presented 3 main things that matters the most to me. It’s about object, feelings, and people.

 

When it comes to people, this is what truly matters…

My parents.

In these images, there is one thing that link us all together. We will all grow old.

Aging is an inevitable process and the body changes with age as it changes individual cells and the organs. It affects your appearance and your body function. It involves everything in your body, from head to toes. And you can’t stop degeneration from happening.

After knowing that we can’t stop aging, what’s next? Can we truly feel how an elderly feel?

 

To bring you closer in experiencing how an elderly feel, this is an image that I took during one of the field observation. Here we have two caregivers and one elderly sitting on a wheelchair. Let’s do a role play here.

Imagine this, how would you feel if you are the one in the wheelchair.
Imagine yourself being 73 years old.

Then the next question, how would you feel if the doctor says he is truly sorry, because the wheelchair is the best resort and there’s nothing he can do.

And what’s worse is, how would you feel counting your days off on a wheelchair?

 

These are the effect of immobility. It affects your physical, it gives you social isolation and it affects your mental wellness. The key point here is, not to just simply highlight this.

To sum it up, you lost three things, your freedom to move around, your privacy because you can’t take care of yourself, the caregiver will come and do their job and worse still. Dignity, you used to have the walking ability and now you lose it.

You see, mobility is a key point in maintaining independence in old age.

 

And then you guys will be questioning like eh, it’s just your assumption and how can you prove that mobility will be a huge issue? And this is one of a key information that highlights the needs.

Two huge factors, that are going to affect Singapore in 2030.

Low born rate:

Less caregiver = to relying on the domestic helpers and social workers.
Better medical facilities:

You get to live longer.

After presenting the facts, these are the possible design opportunities that we should look into; “How can we design products that would help the elderly maintain the independence at home and avoid assisted living?”

 

With that in mind, this is my design brief;

To create a mobility aid for the elderly that empower them by enhancing their physical ability so they can continue to live actively.

This mobility aid can be a device that will work along with the ecosystem and a program list to generate a workout for the elderly. Thank you!”

 

 

What’s next?

The following are the set of questions and comments given by the PD professors and schoolmates:

Target Group Suggestion:

1. Be specific on your target group
2. Different types of illness, different types of needs.
3. There are different stages of immobility so which level are you looking at? Why?

Possible Design Direction:

Prevention Measures:

1. Maybe it can be an education system to prevent mobility issues.
2. Create a chair that people will want to reject being on it.

Responsive Measures:

1. As for People who already have this mobility issue I want to give them another alternative. If they choose to be wheel chair bound, so be it. For those who yearns to achieve more things, my design can help. It’s a matter of choice.Product Function:
2. Able to enhance their physical ability
3. Able to take more steps
4. Able to walk longer distance

1. Able to overcome the traffic light before it goes red.

Other comments:

1. Aging is part of life
2. What you reap, what you sow.
3. Elderly wants to do things by themselves.

4. Following Actions:
   

   After receiving the feedbacks, the following actions will be taken:

   1. Talk to people
      1. Be a Volunteer in old folk’s home
         1. Interact with the following personnel
            1. Doctors
            2. Nurses
            3. Social Workers
            4. Physiotherapist
            5. Physician
            6. Domestic helpers
         2. Have deeper understanding of the elderly based on their mobility level.

Key takeaways:

1. Three Main Roles as a Product Designer.

   With all the presentation presented, there are three main roles as a product designer that needs to be well established.

   1. Be a Salesperson. 
      1. Presenter should have a deeper understanding on the topic and must established the right facts before presenting.
      2. It must make sense and if you can’t buy it, don’t sell it.

• Well rehearsal, build rapport with the audiences

1. Be a Graphic Designer.

   1. Presentation is about bringing the information across to the audience. It is all about the visual information
   2. Attracted them to read your inputs. Little words, strong graphics or pictures and stories will go a long way as it keeps them wonder what’s next.

2. Have the Right Attitude.

   1. A set of values will be generated to make you a better designer when you have the right attitude.
   2. Be curious, be humble and always put yourself in different point of views to gain deeper understanding of the situation and issues.

3. Designing for aging population.

   1. Designing for an aging population no longer means only thinking about safety and care in the home; now, older people need design solutions to help them participate in the workforce, get around town, and convince a youth-centred society that they still have a lot to offer.
   2. How can we enable them to participate more activities despite the inevitable degeneration process?
      1. These design opportunities can be a series of projects to address the issues of identity, mobility, community, working, and living.
   3. The design should cater to the future generation in mind.
      1. The observation in the present situation might not catered to the needs of the future elderly, our generation. This generation of elderly are more ambitious due to their exposure of what innovation can do for them. They are smarter due to the education system, they are living healthier due to better medical facilitates and they are richer due to their knowledge of how the system works which explains their growing demands for better equipment to assist them in attaining higher standards of living.

4. Bibliography

   JOHN DONALDSON, C. J. (2015). Elderly POPULATION IN SINGAPORE. Singapore: Singapore Management University. Retrieved from https://lcsi.smu.edu.sg/sites/lcsi.smu.edu.sg/files/downloads/Elderly-population-in-Singapore.pdf

   Ministry of social and family development. (2016, December 28). Retrieved from Services & Programmes For Elderly: https://www.msf.gov.sg/policies/Helping-the-Needy-and-Vulnerable/Supporting-Vulnerable-Elderly/Pages/Services-and-Programmes-for-Elderly.aspx

   Population Sg. (2016, Septemeber 21). Retrieved from Keys to reaping the benefits of higher life expectancy: https://www.population.sg/articles/keys-to-reaping-the-benefits-of-higher-life-expectancy

   Schwab, K. (2017, January 18). Why You Should Be Designing For Your 73-Year-Old Self. Retrieved August 24, 2017, from https://www.fastcodesign.com/3067220/why-you-should-be-designing-for-your-73-year-old-self