Designed with Me : Empowering People Living with Dementia

Winton, E. and Rodgers, P.A. (2019) Designed with Me : Empowering People Living with Dementia. The Design Journal, 22 (Suppl.). pp. 359-369. ISSN 1460-6925

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Abstract

This paper presents on- going research that adopts an open and truly collaborative approach to working with people living with dementia by recognising and utilising the inherent personal creative abilities that every individual possesses no matter their cognitive ability. The research project entitled " Designed with Me", via a series of carefully developed innovative co- design workshops, supports people living with dementia to express themselves fully in " live" design collaborations. Every individual's input in this research is highly valued and is held in the same esteem as any other collaborator. In this project, participants become collaborative designers helping to propose possibilities, evaluate and select solutions, give their knowledge and skills freely, and generally make things happen. " Designed with Me" highlights clearly that people living with dementia can continue to make a significant contribution to society long after a diagnosis of dementia.