Creative Designs for Aging
Population aging has become a crucial factor driving structural changes in society, the economy, and lifestyles. Community service is the main pillar of support for older adults. Health deterioration is an issue related to population aging. Chronic diseases such as Alzheimer disease may develop as a person’s physiological condition worsens. Currently, no known cure for Alzheimer disease exists, and no medication is available to stop its progression. However, many researchers have indicated that engaging in certain activities, including human communication, reading, arts and crafts, and new skill development, can help to maintain brain function, effectively slowing aging and the onset of dementia. This study focused on slowing aging and preventing dementia. The objectives of this study were to (1) provide early physical activity assessment and intervention measures for older adults, (2) develop an intergenerational learning curriculum to promote close relationships between youths and older adults, and (3) identify the needs and motivations of older adults to develop a creative aging service system.
In the future, we aim to develop an early dementia detection system that can be integrated into the learning curriculum and programs mentioned herein. We hope this system will assist community centers in promoting long-term activities. The relevant results can be used as a research reference for intergenerational learning and creative aging in communities, and the system can be extended to other communities to delay aging.
A sound-to-color synesthesia activity focused on creative aging was implemented in the community senior center. Through the experience of sound-to-color synesthesia, we lead older adults to transform colors to create a unique rhythm using the melodies they hear. The older adults use colors and music to express their thoughts and feelings, creating wonderful and unique results. In the future, we will introduce more creative aging activities with different themes, such as picture book activities (i.e., using nostalgia-themed activities to lead the older adults to connect their life experiences and footprints) and mobile phone courses (i.e., teaching older adults to use their mobile phones to take pictures and make unique stickers to creatively communicate with younger generations).
By offering co-learning courses across generations, we provided students the opportunity to exchange experiences with older adults, and such courses strengthened the connection between schools and communities to foster a local caring spirit. While making interactive narrative animations, the students listened to the older adults’ life stories. From these stories, students gained insight from the wisdom of older adults and a positive attitude toward life, and the older adults felt satisfied and that careful attention was given to them. Through fostering colearning across generations, we not only created 11 animations rich with local culture and affection but also brought younger and older generations closer together, building connections through which participants could inherit community values and wisdom. One of the animated stories was based on Grandma Feng’s personal experience. She told us that she lived a hard life in her village when she was young. When she grew up, she engaged in nursing work to support her family. However, the hectic work environment made her feel empty and exhausted. Once, a patient under her care was declared invalid by the doctor. With sadness, she gave the patient an amulet, wishing that he could go peacefully. Unexpectedly, the patient’s heartbeat suddenly recovered. By observing the patient reuniting with his family, Grandma Feng regained her sense of mission for nursing. Through Grandma Feng’s story, the students understood the rural landscape of this land in the past. Moreover, they gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of work and the connection between duty and society.
In addition to the junior high school students and older adults participating in this activity, the university students engaged in preparation, course design, and related activities that instilled a spirit of problem-based learning. The college students were deeply touched and gained a strong sense of accomplishment and engagement when observing that the activities they had devoted themselves to created meaningful inspiration. In conclusion, in the planning and practice processes, college students served as a key link between the junior high school students and older adults; this role enhanced college students’ sense of responsibility to community and society.
Teachers led students into the community to measure blood supply signals through the self-developed wearable wrist-belt and finger-ring devices. With artificial intelligence (AI) analysis, physiological indices and health care advice can be provided to improve vascular monitoring and the health of older adults.
(1) A clinical validation study of this wearable wrist-belt and finger-ring devices was performed in the hospital, and a literature search returned more than 50 journal articles related to these clinical applications.
(2) In the integrative execution of the project, we used these wearable devices to measure biosignals before and after a class or activity. The pretest provided health care information for older adults, and the posttest could help us evaluate the physiological effects of these classes and activities. The cooperating doctors could better understand the health conditions of older adults according to the information provided by the AI-based wearable devices.
In the future, we aim to develop an early dementia detection system that can be integrated into the learning curriculum and programs mentioned herein. We hope this system will assist community centers in promoting long-term activities. The relevant results can be used as a research reference for intergenerational learning and creative aging in communities, and the system can be extended to other communities to delay aging.
1.Implementation of creative aging activities for diverse learning in the community
A sound-to-color synesthesia activity focused on creative aging was implemented in the community senior center. Through the experience of sound-to-color synesthesia, we lead older adults to transform colors to create a unique rhythm using the melodies they hear. The older adults use colors and music to express their thoughts and feelings, creating wonderful and unique results. In the future, we will introduce more creative aging activities with different themes, such as picture book activities (i.e., using nostalgia-themed activities to lead the older adults to connect their life experiences and footprints) and mobile phone courses (i.e., teaching older adults to use their mobile phones to take pictures and make unique stickers to creatively communicate with younger generations).
2.Learning across generations: By bringing junior students and older adults together, NTUST built connections for communities to inherit cultural values and life experience.
By offering co-learning courses across generations, we provided students the opportunity to exchange experiences with older adults, and such courses strengthened the connection between schools and communities to foster a local caring spirit. While making interactive narrative animations, the students listened to the older adults’ life stories. From these stories, students gained insight from the wisdom of older adults and a positive attitude toward life, and the older adults felt satisfied and that careful attention was given to them. Through fostering colearning across generations, we not only created 11 animations rich with local culture and affection but also brought younger and older generations closer together, building connections through which participants could inherit community values and wisdom. One of the animated stories was based on Grandma Feng’s personal experience. She told us that she lived a hard life in her village when she was young. When she grew up, she engaged in nursing work to support her family. However, the hectic work environment made her feel empty and exhausted. Once, a patient under her care was declared invalid by the doctor. With sadness, she gave the patient an amulet, wishing that he could go peacefully. Unexpectedly, the patient’s heartbeat suddenly recovered. By observing the patient reuniting with his family, Grandma Feng regained her sense of mission for nursing. Through Grandma Feng’s story, the students understood the rural landscape of this land in the past. Moreover, they gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of work and the connection between duty and society.
In addition to the junior high school students and older adults participating in this activity, the university students engaged in preparation, course design, and related activities that instilled a spirit of problem-based learning. The college students were deeply touched and gained a strong sense of accomplishment and engagement when observing that the activities they had devoted themselves to created meaningful inspiration. In conclusion, in the planning and practice processes, college students served as a key link between the junior high school students and older adults; this role enhanced college students’ sense of responsibility to community and society.
3.Early physical activity assessment and intervention measures for older adults
Teachers led students into the community to measure blood supply signals through the self-developed wearable wrist-belt and finger-ring devices. With artificial intelligence (AI) analysis, physiological indices and health care advice can be provided to improve vascular monitoring and the health of older adults.
(1) A clinical validation study of this wearable wrist-belt and finger-ring devices was performed in the hospital, and a literature search returned more than 50 journal articles related to these clinical applications.
(2) In the integrative execution of the project, we used these wearable devices to measure biosignals before and after a class or activity. The pretest provided health care information for older adults, and the posttest could help us evaluate the physiological effects of these classes and activities. The cooperating doctors could better understand the health conditions of older adults according to the information provided by the AI-based wearable devices.
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University characteristic Startup Stage Project
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Taipei City
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National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
436votes
Further reading
Measures for Leaving a Message to Enter the Draw for the Live Streaming of the Opening Ceremony
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Event Period
From 13:00 to 14:00 on December 12 (Saturday), 2020
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Event Measures
Log in to your personal Facebook or Google account to proceed with leaving a message; each account with a successful message of #2020usrexpo left before the end of the live streaming of the opening ceremony will have an opportunity to enter the draw, and each account is restricted to winning the prize once only.
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List of Winners
On December 14 (Monday), 2020, the list of winners will be announced on the event official website https://2020usrexpo.org/) Announcement of the list of winners
Event Prize Content
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1st Prize
“Huei Yeh” Power Extreme Massage Gun 1 winner
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2nd Prize
Nestle Dolce Gusto Genio 2 1 winner
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3rd Prize
KINYO Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Speaker 2 winner
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4th Prize
7-11 Gift Voucher valued at NT$200 27 winner
Announcement of the list of winners
The various prizes are expected to be notified via email and also announced on the event official website on December 14 (Monday), please will the prize winners pay attention to the prize-winning information, and send back the relevant documents according to the notices & explanations; no separate notification will be issued.
Notices
- The event period for this event is based on Taiwan time, and the delivery of the rewards is restricted to regions including Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
- Please refer to the actual products for the event rewards, the pictures used on the website are for reference only; no request for changing colors, specs, transfers, or cash redemption will be accepted.
- Our event organizer will not be liable for the follow-up warranty and maintenance of the winning rewards; once the rewards have been collected, signed, and accepted, no reissuance of the rewards will be available if the rewards have been lost, peculated, discarded, or damaged. Please refer to the actual products for the prize rewards, no return or exchange will be accepted; the prize winner must contact the manufacturer of the rewards if there is any issue regarding malfunctioning, damage, or maintenance.
- 1st prize ~ 2nd prize (Winning prizes with a value exceeding NT$1,000 (inclusive): Each prize winner should fill out the “Reward Collection Application and Receipt (will be announced together with the announcement of the list of winners)” within 7 days (including holidays based on the post stamp) starting from the next day with the announcement of the list of winners, and must provide a copy of both sides of the ID card. The copy must be sent to the specified place via registered mail; those passing the deadline will be deemed to give up the prize and rights, and no objections will be accepted from the prize winners.
- 3rd Prize ~ 4th Prize (Winning prizes with a value less than NT$1,000 (inclusive): Prize winners should reply to the prize-winning notifying letter via Email within 7 days (including holidays) starting from the next day of the announcement of the list of winners, to confirm the collection of the rewards and to fill out the relevant info for sending the rewards (to confirm the address for sending the gift), and to accelerate the follow-up qualification review. If the prize winners do not complete the relevant info before the deadline, they will be deemed to give up the opportunity to collect the rewards, and no alternative gifts or reissuance of gifts will be available.
- When the prize winners have completed filling out the prize-winning info, the organizer will double-check the identification data of the prize winners, the rewards will only be sent out when all data is correct.
- All prize-winning qualification needs to be approved by the organizer before it becomes effective, all reviewing standards are based on the organizer as the only reference.
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