Team's description of the project
With the increase in life expectancy, the number of dementia patients is forecasted to grow. This will put a strain on the rural healthcare system. Dementia can also be challenging for both the patient and their relatives especially over long distances. Dementia is sometimes called a condition of the family, because of the major effect it has for the family dynamic.
From our background research and interviews there were three main themes we wanted to respond to with our proposal. First being that we want the dementia patients to stay connected to their family members regardless of the condition. Second is creating a way to gather data of the development of the condition in an easy and embedded way. And third, find ways to alleviate the symptoms of dementia that evoke stress to the patient and family members.
With the audio-based “Hopealinja” intermediator service people with dementia and family members can communicate without stress. With the help of the online Hopealinja app the family members voice can be simulated to answer the dementia patients' possible repeated questions in a familiar tone 24/7. With consent from the family member or friend, we are able to collect and simulate their voice using the synthetic audio technology. In the beginning this is limited to simple questions and answers which can be expanded overtime to basic dialogue.This service is designed to complement the existing phone call interaction between the dementia patient and family members. The system will also analyze the dementia patients cognitive health and mood in each call. The service helps to mitigate some of the most common issues dementia patients experience during their daily phone calls.
_
In the autumn of 2021 students enrolled in Emerging Designs course were given a brief to design concept for tackling problems in the healthcare system. The focus was on developing healthcare and social care in sparsely populated areas of the Nordics, visioned in 2030 with distance spanning solutions. Altogether seven concepts were created and Hopealinja is one of them.
During Emerging Designs course seven student teams developed conceptual solutions for developing health care and social care in the rural areas. The focus of design work was in the Nordic countries, which vision in 2030 to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. Here you find the students' proposals with detailed descriptions.
The studies in Collaborative and Industrial Design (CoID) focus on design's role in society. Students develop skills enabling them to work as design experts and leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators in a range of roles within industry, business, communities, education, and public sector.
IDBM is a pioneering study programme that embodies the vision of Aalto University by integrating design and technology with global business development.
The Department of Design is a diverse community of competent, creative and responsible individuals. In design, we appreciate technical skill, social significance and artistic expression.
One of the most prestigious universities in its fields. We educate our students to create imaginative, collaborative, compassionate and unconventional approaches to the most pressing challenges of today.
Do you want to study in the Nordics in Finland? At Aalto University science and art meet technology and business. We believe in the power of curiosity and encourage our students to explore the unknown as well as to learn and do things in a whole new way.