DESIGNING FOR AN AGEING DEMOGRAPHIC


‘The salutogenic house of tomorrow’.


conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s, etc. Further spaces serve as ‘Exhibitions of products’ that are in the developmental stages. e.g. 3D printing of hip joints, prosthetics, ‘med bedheads’, ‘upside down walking sticks’, robotics, and exoskeletons, etc. The upper floors include Lab-Testing, product development, and workshops. The Teaching Centre consists of conference spaces, lecture spaces, and collaboration nodes. The ‘Innovation Hub’, meanwhile, is the central heartbeat of the centre, with multiple levels of libraries, Think Tank Pods, and Research and Testing Labs. The upper floors contain Assisted Daily Living Labs (ADLs). Ultimately, the top floors will offer Wellbeing Spas, a Telehealth Hub, seminars on increasing longevity, and hotel facilities offering access to enclosed landscaped gardens, exercise spaces, leisure spaces, dementia cafés, and horticultural activities.


‘Boomers’ innovate According to a New York Times story dated 17 April 2013, ‘More adults are becoming inventors’. It is often forgotten that seniors have a lifetime’s worth of experience and knowledge, and much more time to develop concepts and new ideas. Why not harness this wealth of knowledge to good effect? ‘Older innovators often have unique knowledge, foresight and insight’ – John Rav, 6 November 2018. ‘Global innovation now focuses on inventors that help seniors in daily life.’ We have to create a culture of innovation, a sense of purpose and engagement. Designers and planners have to develop opportunities and design spaces such as extended ‘Mind Gyms’,


‘Pop-up makerspaces’, ‘Brainstorming hubs’, man caves, garden sheds/pods, or start-ups like ‘Quirky’. These spaces have historically been the hotbed of innovation and great ideas.


Provocation paper – ‘Sex, Intimacy & Sexual Well-being in Later Life’ This paper, ‘Sex, Intimacy and Sexual Well-being in Later Life’, edited by Shirley Ayres and Mervyn Eastman, was published on 15 August 2022. Dr Dawne Garrett provides an insightful introduction: “Sexual intimacy is a normal, natural, and positive aspect of older age. This innovative paper explores many of the facets of the subject, exploring areas rarely discussed. Each individual citizen will have different desires and aspirations for their own engagement or disengagement with sexual intimacy as their circumstances change over time. The experts who have contributed to this paper correctly remind us of our professional obligation to ensure that this aspect of people’s lives is respected and considered. We are encouraged to challenge our own perceptions, and to reflect on our practice while being informed and delighted.” Topics such as ‘Sexuality and living with dementia’, ‘Digital technology revolutionises sexual well-being in Later Life’, ‘Sexual Rights of Older Adults’, and ‘Pornography and Older


Sex Workers’, have been investigated to good effect.


Esther Wiskerke – consultant in Dementia and sexuality Soon after embarking on this journey, circumnavigating exceptionally sensitive, and at times uncomfortable, issues, I was lucky to meet up with Esther Wiskerke. She is a care home and corporate trainer, as well as being a member of the International Think Tank on Dementia, Sexuality and Human Rights. Esther has written many seminal papers and guidelines offering a wealth of knowledge and invaluable professional advice and insights. April Dobson – head of Dementia Care and Wellbeing at Hallmark Care Homes, highly recommends Esther’s training and coaching style. Her in-depth knowledge of difficult challenges around what can be tricky topics made our workshops really enjoyable and insightful. She has written many useful papers and insightful guideline documents, such as: l Sexuality and the Human Rights of Persons with Dementia – August 2021.


l The unknown lover: connecting in a moment, rather than the moment – October 2019.


l Intimacy between care home residents with dementia: Findings from a review of the literature – July 2016.


It is often forgotten that seniors have a lifetime’s worth of experience and knowledge, and much more time to develop concepts and new ideas. Why not harness this wealth of knowledge to good effect?


‘Spaces for intimacy’. 22


‘Expressions of affection, tenderness, and bonding’. NOVEMBER 2022 | THE NETWORK


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


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