인클루시브 디자인 개념을 중심으로 고령자의 인지능력 향상을 위한 디자인요소 도출에 관한 연구

Aging has emerged as a fundamental keyword in Korean society, where the fertility rate is declining and life expectancy is increasing. Recently, aging has been linked to an increase in various geriatric diseases, among which dementia, a representative geriatric disease, is emerging as a serious disease affecting one in ten of the elderly. In this study, we review the features and performance of cognitive rehabilitation products used in the past, maintain and develop positive factors, and apply the concept of inclusive design to those who need improvement as a key design element. As a method of research, evaluation items were established based on areas that can be correlated or complemented in consideration of inclusive design and the characteristics of the elderly. For this purpose, we analyzed the shortcomings and disadvantages of the seven products recommended by the Central Dementia Center. The shapes, sizes, and weights, which are not suitable for the elderly, are the most representative problems. In this study, the physical and sensory characteristics of the elderly were linked to the items of inclusive design, and the design elements were thus derived. The four derived factors are closeness to safety, flexibility to guide physically difficulties, inclusiveness as a detailed factor for forecasting and responding to unexpected situations, and, finally, the harmony and unity of products’ responsiveness. It is expected that product development will be continued based on design factors considering usability and safety proposed in this study. Training by way of stimulating the brain with repetitive learning through products with inclusive design elements can be all the more effective in improving cognitive ability.