Up! is a walking stick designed with two possible forms to assist seniors in easily getting up on their own after a fall, addressing the frequent occurrence of falls within the senior population.
Research
Every 11 seconds, a senior is treated for a fall in the emergency room, often resulting in severe injuries such as head injuries or hip fractures, which can be extremely challenging for seniors to recover from.
67 % of falls happen when individuals slip or trip
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling.
Projects aimed at fall prevention resulted in a 35% reduction in hospital fall rates
Primary Research
After interviewing 11 seniors about their daily routines and experiences with falling, I have identified three key features for my customer segment:
1. People aged 70 to 90 years old, who have a higher rate of falling and a higher rate of using walking sticks.
2. Users who do not need to learn something new in order to use the product.
3. The fall experience varies among interviewees and is more related to daily exercise, medication, and health status than age and sex.
To design the handle shape, I studied the hand shape to ensure optimal comfort and functionality. The handle ends are rounded to allow users to grip tightly, while curves in the handle create a comfortable shape for applying pressure when needed.
The middle part of the stick features two joints that connect the two legs of the walking stick, allowing each leg to turn in a 90-degree range to each side. This design provides stability and ease of movement for the user. Additionally, the flat angle in the legs allows the stick to stand still on the ground, further enhancing its usability.
Storyboards
I built a physical model out of wood to test the concept, and the prototype has proven to be effective. The main steps to use the product are illustrated here, demonstrating its practicality and ease of use for seniors.
Storyboard
Up! aims to empower seniors to regain independence and confidence in their mobility, offering a practical solution to a common challenge faced by this demographic.
