Home Care Design for Parkinson's disease: Applying methods for HCD to analyse the needs of people with Parkinson's

Introduction: Parkinson's Disease is a severe, debilitating neurodegenerative pathology characterized by a progressive and chronic disorder, mainly concerning - although not exclusively - motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor. These symptoms cause difficulties in movement and, more generally, in daily life, also negatively affecting the mental health as well as the quality of life of People with Parkinson (PwP) and their caregivers. The prolonged confinement imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic has got worse the difficulties of movement that PwP experience within their homes, highlighting how important it is to design domestic spaces suited to their needs in order to reduce the burden of their suffering and improve their quality of life. Scope: The aim of the research programme Home Care Design for Parkinson’s Disease, project supported by Fondazione Zoè, is the definition of guidelines for the design and implementation of an inclusive and accessible home environment for PwP. Methodology: 25 PwP (with varying gender, age and levels of symptomatology) and 18 informal and formal caregivers (with varying gender, age and experience) of Tuscany region, were involved in the study. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the research methodology was modified. To receive qualitative data, 2 method of Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach (Stanton, 2014) were used. Consequently: semi-structured interview and virtual observation of the home via videocall (Skype and Zoom platform). Results: The results of the evaluation phase have been useful for the definition of common intervention areas. Overall, the major problems emerged as follows: (i) vertical and horizontal paths, (ii) spaces dimensions and (iii) assistive devices. Conclusion: The contribution of this article is to describe the application of methods of the HCD approach, in assessing the needs and defining the technical and technological requirements for the home environment to ben more inclusive and less invasive for PwP and their caregivers