Mazzo
an anxiety reducing light up toy for dementia patients in the emergency room
Duration
4 Weeks
Team Members
Andrew Brodsky
Oliver Hsu
Yoel Zaid
Type
Student (RISD x Brown)
Tools
Design Sketching
Prototyping
Mold Making
Silicone Molding
Clay Modeling
Product Photography
The Prompt
Often times, when dementia patients are brought into the Emergency Room, they become more agitated, worsening their condition in the long term. The Emergency Room Protocol for agitated dementia patients is to employ physical restrains and sedatives that further distress and disorients patients making for difficult transitions back to care giving facilities, and worsening their condition both physically and mentally.
The Solution
A touch sensitive light-up toy that entertains and distracts dementia patients in the Emergency Room, reducing the need for sedatives and restraints.
The Process
01. Research
02. Testing Experiences and Interactions
03. Ideation
04. Prototyping
05. Fabrication
06. Final Model
01. Research
My team looked toward pediatric care for methods of emotionally sensitive treatment for agitated patients. Ongoing research at Merriam and Rhode Island Hospital showed that geriatric patients found entertainment in children’s toys taken from the pediatric department.
Currently, Emergency Room protocols for patient-nurse interactions are designed for patients with traumatic injuries and often involve long periods of time where the patient is alone, sedated or resting. We identified and targeted this “invaluable” time in which dementia patient often get scared and restless as the best opportunity to introduce play and preemptively mitigate agitation.
02. Testing Experiences and Interactions
03. Ideation
04. Prototyping
