celerity
SENIOR WELLNESS PROJECT 2023
Improving senior wellness for those with arthritis
by creating an arthritis-friendly kickboard
by creating an arthritis-friendly kickboard
[senior wellness]
GOING BEYOND
Senior wellness goes beyond just the physical, it goes into the mental, spiritual and all facets of life...
arthritis
FOCUS
For this project, I chose those with arthritis as my focus target and I observed how arthritis affects the other areas of their lives that aren't physical.
.png)
research
$303,500,500
is the annual lost earnings cost and medical spendings due to arthritis related issues according to the CDC. This enormous amount of lost revenue shows another way in which arthritis can debilitate a person aside from obvious physical ways.
After viewing these facts and further research, I decided to pursue research into different methods to help alleviate the various types of costs associated with having arthritis.
After viewing these facts and further research, I decided to pursue research into different methods to help alleviate the various types of costs associated with having arthritis.
Although the definition of “wellness” and “senior wellness” is so broad, I found a common theme in interviews and studies. A senior’s wellness is often correlated with the ability to be able to do normal things like they were able to do before such as picking up a box, swimming, long strolls, etc. However, many of these normal activities become troublesome with age due to a disability. Looking into arthritis, I found that "osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis) is the
leading
cause of disability in older people"
- CDC
53.1
MILLION
"adults in the United States suffer from arthritis."
- CDC
With this staggering number of affected adults, learning how to effectively prevent, treat and live with arthritis is crucial especially as one ages.
"
I WANT TO KEEP ON LIFTING FOR AS LONG AS I CAN. IT'S SOMETHING I LOVE.
"
Lynn
Andrews
Andrews
AGE
32
STATUS
Single
LOCATION
Georgia
OCCUPATION
Construction Worker
BIO
She currently is a construction worker and lifts around 100 lb objects everyday. In her free time, she works as a freelance interior designer. She also goes to the gym 5 times a week to lift. She has been concerned about arthritis as she has a long family history of it.
WANTS & NEEDS
- Wants to prevent arthritis as much as she can.
- Looking into prevent the onset of arthritis.
PAIN POINTS
- Genetically predisposed to get arthritis.
- Can't stop lifting heavy objects becausee it is a mandatory part of her job.
"
MY HANDS ARE MY JOB.
"
Amy
Lee
Lee
AGE
38
STATUS
Single
LOCATION
Georgia
OCCUPATION
Software Engineer
BIO
She currently lives with her two kids. She constantly works hard as a software engineer and plays with her kids in her small spare time. She eats extremely health and works out every morning. She has recently been getting joint pain in her fingers after work.
WANTS & NEEDS
- Wants a solution that will be easily implemented into her set routine.
- Looking into prevent the onset of arthritis.
PAIN POINTS
- Cannot stop using hands and fingers because of her job.
- Doesn’t have much time to spare because of her intense job.
.png)
"
IT'D BE NICE TO TAKE CARE OF MY FARM WITHOUT PAIN.
"
Nhut
Nguyen
Nguyen
AGE
71
STATUS
Married
LOCATION
Georgia
OCCUPATION
Retired
BIO
He is currently retired and lives at home with his wife. He raises chickens in her backyard and tends to them everyday and his garden. He is also the main cook of the house using ingredients that he grew. He had severe arthritis, but just recently got knee surgery for it.
WANTS & NEEDS
- Wants to resume tending to his farm as soon as he can.
- Looking into prevent continued arthritis.
PAIN POINTS
- Doesn't like to sit around all day waiting to recovere.
- Refuses pills because he wants to get better through his own means.
.png)
personas
PREVENT
DELAY
RECOVER
I explored the various stages of arthritis that seniors face through the following personas.
design
OBJECTIVE & CRITERIA
competition
WHITE-SPACE MAP
Finding that first quadrant space to see where ingenuity begins.
inspo
FOCUS
For this project, I chose those with arthritis as my focus target and I observed how arthritis affects the other areas of their lives that aren't physical.
sketches
models
MODEL I
MODEL II
MODEL III
Iteration I
NOTES
The first iteration was inspired by the shape of a manta ray. It’s purpose was to understand dimensions relative to one another physically.
TESTING
- The holes under the handle bars were too large and looked cumbersome.
CONSTRUCTION
- 2-ply Cardboard
Iteration II
NOTES
The second iteration was used to bring full dimensions to life and study curvatures and handles.
TESTING
- For some users, the handle bars were far too small.
CONSTRUCTION
- Pink Foam
Iteration III
NOTES
The third iteration had an increased handle diameter. A tracking dial was added to allow for seniors to have a sense of achievement when tracking laps or time spent swimming.
TESTING
- The increased handle diameter was suited for most users.
- Swimming kickboard floats in pool water and is waterproof.
CONSTRUCTION
- 2-ply Cardboard
final model
con
tact
thank! chat soon :)
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
