Abstract

The goal for this project is to help us encourage closer relationships with our seniors by integrating across generations.

The world’s population is aging rapidly and this is becoming a big issue worldwide. According to the United Nations (UN), a person who is 60 or older is part of the older population. The UN also predicts people aged 60 and older make up 12.3% of the global population, and by 2050, that number will rise to almost 22% (Fund 2016). In other words, the senior population will reach over two million people all over the world. Therefore, we cannot neglect the impact of senior social issues that will generate from this fast-growing population trend. Instead, we should prepare ourselves to help them deal with all the possible problems they will encounter.

This thesis will challenge the existing social issue: elder emotional segregation that has been occurring globally for years. Bring seniors back into our society is my main discussion topic and design project. I also plan to compare different cultural backgrounds and incorporate my findings into the solution of achieving and creating a fun, meaningful outcome from connection among generations. Furthermore, the long-term goal for this project is to help the public to realize the important value of each individual senior citizen.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Playgrounds--Equipment and supplies--Design; Older people--Recreation; Older people--Health and hygiene; Intergenerational relations

Publication Date

1-24-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Industrial Design (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CIAS)

Advisor

Stan Rickel

Advisor/Committee Member

Gary Molinari

Advisor/Committee Member

Donna Delvecchio

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

IDDE-MFA

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