Thesis - Notions of Wellness




Current thesis proposition fluidly revolve within the context of future of wellness and population aging. Question that emerges in my mind is that will the notions of wellness differ in future? If so, then how do we view wellness in todays context and how will it differ in future?

A future of embedded intelligence is in many ways comfortably strengthening its roots where the tangible objects will not only be networked within the physical environment but also link up to the socio-economic networks this will perhaps advance to time when we will comfortably embed the technology within us. Since, on another spectrum we have research practices in biomedical and human systems which is exploring anti-ageing, synthetic biology, nano medicine, edible electronics, molecular gastronomy and much more. If some or all of these become part of daily living then how will it change our perceptions about ourselves, our body and our healthcare practices.

Among this is a grave challenge and reality of population ageing. According to the United Nation's Report titled World Population Ageing, 2009, "A population ages when increases in the proportion of older persons (that is, those aged 60 years or over) are accompanied by reductions in the proportion of children (persons under age 15) and then by declines in the proportions of persons in the working ages (15 to 59). At the world level, the number of older persons is expected to exceed the number of children for the first time in 2045." The report further highlights the marked differences in trends of population ageing in the developed and the developing nations, "In the more developed regions, where population ageing is far advanced, the number of children dropped below that of older persons in 1998. Thus, over a fifth of the population is currently aged 60 years or over and by 2050, nearly a third of the population in developed countries is projected to be in that age group."

Various International Organizations and Institutions are addressing concerns and promoting ''age-friendly'' environments that would encourage ''active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age''. The longevity of the age bares the ordeals of physical vulnerability. Thus by my understanding this vulnerability becomes colossal when the provisions for elderly care becomes difficult due to the dwindling size of the families in contemporary society and scarcity of the caregivers due to the decline in the workforce. Under these circumstances, the anticipated future of elderly healthcare will stretch out to the potentials of the technology and the vital role it can play in leveraging the wellbeing of the elderly.

In my anticipation then the future will construct many unfamiliar narratives and new artifacts will emerge in the ecology wellness and our relationship with our body. Even though I am not currently settled with the specific dimension of wellness I would explore in my thesis year, I am nevertheless intrigued by what would be these future narratives of wellness and what kind of artifacts will emerge?

I would like to engage in this dialogue by understanding the current practices of elderly healthcare and their interactions with various artifacts that help them maintain their health and overall well-being.

Just a Thought...
Ageing and Pervasive Technology
A project that could perhaps seek to investigate the new artifacts within these future narratives and their meaningfulness to the ageing population. It will seek information with regard to how these artifacts, sensorial interfaces and networked interactions are understood by the older people. In process the project will also investigate any alternative narratives that surfaces. It is essential that the vision of the multi-sensorial future should not only fill the gaps and address the needs of the elderly but also must communicate through contextual idioms, thereby merging with the daily practices and rituals of the elderly. For instance, if the tablet box is networked with the individuals environment to prompt a reminder. It is important to examine the diversity of forms through which this reminder can be triggered. How can design facilitate an appropriate fit between the daily healthcare practices, behavioral challenges due to age and technological intervention among the older demographic of the society. Through what mechanisms can technology locate it self within the environment without becoming a digital and information overload. Paving a ways for interactivity that is digitally mediated but individually directed.

Possible Questions

  1. Ageing

    What does it mean by growing old now?
    What will it mean to grow old in future?
    What is retirement?
    How would it be if you could not get old?
    What are various indicators of ageing? Various perceptions, fears and expectations old age?
    What kind new practices and ritual emerge as you proceed towards old age and how will these vary in future?
    What relationship exists with environments and institutions such as family/friends, home, local community, healthcare institutions, senior centers etc..

  2. Wellness

    What constitutes personal well-being?
    What are habits and disciplines?
    How do our habits relate with those of our spouses and partners?
    How is wellness manifested through our environments and media?

  3. Technology

    How would the world look like when everyone is young and can live longer?
    How will notions of time and life be affected by this world?
    What are the various kinds interactions and artifacts are involved in maintenance of personal well-being?
    How do elderly interact with modern technologies?
    What are the quintessence of personal wellness and how pervasive technology can embody it?
    In what ways can the embedded future participate and share burdens of the individual's physical and mental wellness?