Social
Spaces

The Waag Society, a Dutch organisation that investigates social applications of networked technology, designed a “Story table” (“Verhalentafel”) a few years ago with film, music and spoken word fragments which date from the period between 1920 and 1980. Old people can digitally leave their comments on this table, so it requires an active attittude. It is a risky design, since it introduces quite advanced technology and a very hybrid collage of media in a elderly home. At the same time it plays with trust, through de design of a classical, wooden table. This table aimed at older people overcoming their fears about new technologies and breaking down their social isolation (www.waag.org/project/verhalentafel). In the meantime a mobile version, in the form a wooden suitcase, is designed adapted to changing life circumstances of elderly in Dutch society (http://www.waag.org/project/mobieleverhalentafel). We are very curious about the sequel!

The campaign Ouderzorg: een gouden job should encourage young people to opt for a professional career in the elderly care. To give them a different perspective on elderly (care), the exhibition of our design research project Zorgeloos wonen in de ouderenzorg travels along with the campaign.  Yesterday ‘Gedeputeerde van Welzijn’ Erika Thijs played the first board game in the context of the campaign with the students from the Martinusschool in Bilzen and Jessie and I guided them through the exhibition.