Homing Compass

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

Rens Brankaert

Research details

  • Involved researchers: Rens Brankaert, Rian de Jong

Partners: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Alzheimer Nederland

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.