Designing for Dementia

When someone has advanced dementia, everything starts to get very practical, very quickly. Suddenly you’re in a world of reminders, chair alarms and plastic cups. You want to buy nice gifts, but as someone’s ability to interact lessens, your choices narrow. You end up looking at things that are…just a bit medical. Or childish.

My particular big bear is cups. Dementia affects millions worldwide, causing cognitive decline and impairing daily activities. Simple tasks such as drinking from a cup can become increasingly challenging, leading to frustration and anxiety. To address this, we need to foster a culture of empathy and inclusion within the design community.

For the vast majority of the 13 years she’s been living with dementia, my mum has been able to use one of her fabulous cup and saucers. Never one to drink from a mug, she always had something a bit fancy. Wedgwood. Royal Doulton. The kind of thing you’d expect from a vintage afternoon tea. I don’t remember a time when she didn’t use a ‘proper’ cup and saucer, preferably made from china.

When she first moved into her care home, she was still at least managing a mug. Until she wasn’t, and now, she is much safer with something with two handles, that won’t smash if it gets dropped. Sometimes with a spout on the top. A sippy cup.

Now, sippy cups are of course the sensible choice, and there are really two options - they can be plain, or they can have a design for children on them.
I can’t say that my mum cares strongly which she has, but I care, because these things are clearly being used by adults, routinely, with all kinds of conditions that make holding a one-handled mug tricky. So why are the designs for them so…non-existent?

Enter, The Freedom Cup.

Freedom cup with hummingbird design

I’d seen a friend share a post about these on Facebook a while ago, and it was one of those things I saw, meant to bookmark, didn’t, and could never find again. So, I was delighted to come across the creator on a random conversation on Twitter!
I cannot stress enough how awesome I think these are. The perfect cup, but with beautiful, fun designs. Almost as if everything does not, in fact, have to be miserable or dull.

My mum may not be able to use her china cup and saucer any more, but at least she could have something pretty.
From their website:

Introducing The Freedom Cup - the perfect adaptive drinking aid for those who need extra support holding their cups. Whether you're elderly, disabled, have had a stroke or suffer from dementia, The Freedom Cup is a bespoke item designed to meet your specific needs. This spill-proof mug for adults features a double-walled design, ensuring your drinks stay hot or cold for longer.

I do realise the irony that I sell mugs and yet am promoting a cup from somewhere else, but, genuinely, I think these are a great, much needed product and it is just so refreshing to see something designed beyond the merely practical, for adults who need these cups.

There are various designs available, and they’re available from Philomena’s Boutique. I hope that, like me, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for.