Exploring how design can support the expression of personal aesthetic preferences in dementia

Overview While dementia may affect the way our minds work, we will always know what we like. Where biographical identity diminishes, but experiential identity and emotional memory is retained, experiencing pleasure from personal preferences in everyday surroundings has significance. If verbal communication becomes arduous, assumptions can be made about inability, leading to everyday decisions being made on our behalf. The resultant negative impact on sense of identity and agency in the context of intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships is recognized in dementia care. Consequently a strengths-based approach is advocated, where a focus on abilities can challenge negative assumptions. This study explores the role of research through design, using visual stimuli as probes, to support non-verbal expression of personal aesthetic preferences in the curation of personal space. This paper describes the development of methods using remote sensory ethnography to share personal preferences for everyday objects and colour in the context of home.