Graduate shows 2016: this Dementia Simulator headset designed by Central Saint Martins graduate Di Peng lets wearers experience symptoms of the disease for themselves (+ movie).
The helmet affects each of the senses, in an attempt to replicate many of the challenges faced by dementia sufferers.
The translucent, egg-shaped device sits over the wearer's entire head, and includes a mouthpiece, earpiece and screen that covers the eyes.

Distorted sounds and critical comments are played back to mimic the auditory hallucinations experienced by those with dementia, while the mouthpiece makes it hard for the wearer to speak by muting certain words.
The helmet's visor affects vision by blurring out the faces of those nearby ? a reminder of the challenges faced by patients that struggle to recognise individuals.
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"As a research tool, Dementia Stimulator is an open-ended design that welcomes the dialogue of further probing into the ageing population that we have never experienced before," said Peng, who completed the project during a masters in industrial design.
"There is no one solution for a complex problem, but only deeper understanding of the problem will get us closer to the solution."

Peng created the helmet as a way to help non-sufferers experience aspects of the disease, thereby increasing empathy and helping them care for patients or relatives with dementia.
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