From which challenge did this project start?
To enhance the quality of life of persons with dementia, we developed an interactive harp in an interdisciplinary context that responds to the senses of persons with dementia and also gets them moving. By touching the bars of the dementia harp, light and sound fragments are activated, stimulating residents' memory.
This often creates lucid moments in the residents, allowing interaction with family back and limiting behavioural problems due to social isolation.
What is it specifically?
The dementia harp responds to sensory stimulation. It lets patients feel, see and hear and stimulates multiple senses at the same time. When you touch the bars of the harp, these bars light up, sound fragments resound and images are projected on a monitor. The sounds and images can be personalised for each resident.
Who is it for?
Current target group: persons with dementia living in care homes.
Other (future) target groups: persons with dementia still living at home, informal care, pre-school and primary education, children with care problems.
How will this be addressed?
Table-top harp - TRL 5: this is a collaboration between UCLL University of Applied Sciences, design agency 'It's a Roel',' and residential care centre Toermalien.
This is a plastic or wooden construction with plastic tubes, electronics and sensors, LED lights, screen, Raspberry Pi, speakers.
Why is this interesting for this target group?
Increase quality of life of the person with dementia:
Reduce wandering behaviour, lack of connection, social isolation and behavioural problems.
Reduce caregiver workload.
Increase interaction with family members and caregivers.
What kind of partners are we looking for?
Manufacturers, distributors, dissemination channels