Stannah Balance

This series of projects took an Inclusive Design approach to explore, new design offerings with the world’s largest manufacturer of stairlifts, Stannah.

Within this project the challenge identified was around falls - the leading cause of accident-related mortality in older people across the UK and major contributor to reduced mobility. We examined how we can reduce the risk of falling in later life, to allow people freedom, independence and safer enjoyment of their own homes.

The project focused on women, as they are at a higher risk for falls-related fractures and have a greater chance of developing a fear of falling. Concepts were co-created with user cohorts of older women, most of whom had previously had a fall. Experts were also engaged in the process - from falls experts and balance trainers, to computer scientists and statisticians.

We designed a research methodology to explore an individuals current and past relationship with ‘Activity Levels’ and ‘Balance Health’, and worked on creating and communicating measurements, methods and routines that would allow individuals to achieve self-knowledge through human insights.

A first of its kind free app designed to help individuals, and healthcare professionals working with individuals, to improve balance health and remain fall free for longer.

Grover, S., Atkin, R. & McGinley, C. (2015), ‘Certainty as a Provocation: The design and analysis of 2 Quant-Qual tool dyads for a qualified self technology project’ at Research Through Design, Cambridge, March 2015