Promoting Equality and Dignity through Sensory Stimulating Aids

The project focuses on creating sensory aids for people with dementia.

By starting with everyday clothing, function and aesthetics are combined to promote equality and dignity.

Three assistive devices have been developed within three different sensory needs: weight, compression, and fidgeting which are incorporated into different garments.

The weighted principle reduces anxiety and restlessness by stimulating the proprioceptive sense, providing a calming sensation which effectively reduces feelings of insecurity and agitation.

The compression vest is specifically designed to address the needs of individuals in the later stages of dementia. It aims to alleviate overstimulation on the skin surface, which can cause stress and outwardly reactive behavior when clothing creates friction during movement.

The fidgeting principle is based on activating the tactile sense. Many people with dementia often experience restless hands and seek something to touch, which can be an expression of both overstimulation and understimulation.