Everyday Sounds of Dementia

The project “Everyday Sounds of Dementia” aims to research the potential of sound and soundscapes in design of technology and services for people living with dementia. In this project, different partners will collaborate to achieve these objectives. Next to TU/e Industrial Design and Tranzo (Tilburg University), the zorggroep Archipel (care institute Archipel) and network organization cooperation Slimmer Leven 2020 will be involved.

The main goals of the project are to:
1) investigate the effects of personalized soundscapes on people living with dementia and their carers and develop a framework and collection of sounds for ongoing research and development;
2) explore and analyze the opportunities for sound and technology design to develop
person-centered technology in the development of everyday sound for dementia using
research-through-design approaches;
3) develop new knowledge on collaborative approaches to enable people living with dementia and their caregivers to engage in co-design and participatory approaches.

This project contributes to the positive well-being and quality of life of people living with dementia, and their caregivers, by supporting day-to-day functioning in their homes, and during times of transition to higher levels of care. It uses design-research and participatory approaches to develop interactive soundscapes (collages of everyday ambient sounds ) to calm, reduce agitation, stimulate, excite and engage people living with dementia in times of anxiety, stress or boredom, and promote meaningful activity in high-risk situations. The project will support social engagement and communication through the design process and through engagement with the soundscapes.