Homing Compass

Navigation support for people living with dementia.

The Homing Compasss, or in Dutch “welthuis kompas” is a concept developed to provide navigation support for people living with dementia. The compass is an easy to use navigation system with one simple functionality: It always points home.

When designing for people with dementia, it is important to keep technology simple. In this concept, simple pertains to no interaction needed resulting in a low-learning curve. The physical arrow contributes to this usability as well, by being clearly visible and not showed on a screen. The design’s look and feel resembles a compass aesthetically by using familiar materials such as wood and metal. This reminiscence to compass usage, conveys the functionality on a subconscious level. The homing compass is developed in co-creation with people living with dementia, family members and caregivers. Through several workshop sessions, people with dementia were involved to provide feedback and steer the design process to this end-result.

Researcher

Rens Brankaert

Research details

Involved researchers: Rens Brankaert, Rian de Jong

Partners: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Alzheimer Nederland

Publications

Brankaert, R., & Suijkerbuijk, S. (2019). Outdoor life and technology with dementia. In A. Astell, S. Smith, & P. Joddrell (Eds.), Using technology in dementia care: a guide to technology solutions for everyday living (pp. 53-64). Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Insights

The built environment facilitates (or restricts) flexible use of spaces, easy infection prevention, and enjoyment for residents, while also determining the atmosphere.
In general, buildings of many care facilities are not designed to accommodate a severely infectious disease outbreak.
Nursing staff have learned the importance of attending to the number of stimuli in the social and built environment and attuning these to individual, instead of group, needs.
A warm building with a spacious layout, flexible use of spaces, and a harmonious interior design contributes to a higher quality of life, better well-being, improved infection control, and greater resilience.