Designers and healthcare professionals have different knowledge, experiences and skills in personalising dementia care. These two disciplines are, at the moment (2017), quite separated. The Know-me toolkit aims to bridge this gap, as it can be used by both designers and healthcare professionals, either together or independently.

This toolkit was developed during my PhD project, in the context of institutional dementia care, situated in Zorggroep Elde nursing home. Guided by scientific literature and field research, I first explored what are the remaining capabilities of people living with dementia to understand what they are still good at and still enjoy (e.g. long-term memory, muscle memory, nature, a hug). Then I explored how to co-design with people living with dementia based on the stages of their conditions. Next, I collaborated with the tech startup PinXact to explore what types of data could be collected to help healthcare professionals know each person living with dementia better in the ward, and how to collect these data.

This journey resulted in four tools - capability cards, a co-design guide, a data exploration guide, and a person-centred canvas. The toolkit was applied to guide students in the course Advanced Concept Design in Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft, and refined based on the feedback of students.

For more information about the toolkit, please visit: https://designfordementia.squarespace.com/
I also provide free training on how to use the toolkit, to support all heroes working on dementia care - please feel free to get in touch!