When designerSha Yao ’s grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer ’s , she saw at first hand how the disease , and other neurodegenerative ones like it , can sprain even the most basic chore into ostensibly - unimaginable feats .
With that in mind , Yao designedEatwell , a seven - piece tableware set with 20 unequaled feature film specifically project to meet the pauperization of those with physical , motor , and cognitive impairments . Yao exceeded her fundraising end onIndiegogolast year and her designs acquire the top prize at the 2014 Stanford Design Challenge .
The set has bright , primary colouring , which Yao chose because of aBoston University studythat found that individuals with cognitive impairment ingest 24 % more solid food and 84 % more liquid when they were in bright - colour container .
Other feature include bowls and cup with angled bases , allow contents to of course fall to one side ( piddle them easier to scoop and salute ) , as well as ergonomically - design spoons whose curve aligns with the contours of the bowls . There are also holes with tizzy at the edge of the tray where an apron , bib , or nappy can be tucked to prevent spill damage , plus wide - basedrinkwarethat ’s hard to tumble .
According to the Alzheimer ’s Association , around5.3 millionAmericans today have Alzheimer ’s . An estimated 47.5 million citizenry have dementia worldwide , agree to theWorld Health Organization , and that turn is only on the rise , making the need for innovations like Yao ’s great than ever .
At the bosom of the efficiency and cleverness of the design is the basic desire to help people help themselves , which is particularly personal for Yao .
" bring up awareness and addressing the needs of people with handicap will allow them to maintain their dignity , retain as much independence as potential , and reduce the load on their caretakers,“she distinguish Fast Company . " That ’s what made design the Eatwell tableware set so rewarding . "
To see more of the set , swing over tothe official website , or catch Yao ’s fundraising video below .
