A Redesigned Rest Space

Elevate the wellbeing of carers, fostering an environment that prioritises their mental health, resilience and overall quality of life.

I chose to focus on the issue of Caregiver burden, and how I can alleviate this to improve Carer wellbeing and the care of the elderly

To improve carer wellbeing, I chose to redesign the staff room of the care home I worked in. It was currently clinical and overbearing, and lacked the facilities for carers to relax and look after themselves properly on their break. Breaks are scarce in the care industry, so I decided to focus on making this area as relaxing and peaceful as possible, so carers can feel fully rested and recharged.

Initial mood board designs

Alongside redesigning the staff room, I designed two sets of conversation cards called ChatBox and BugBox, to encourage colleagues to get to know each other and bond. ChatBox promotes conversation and positive chats, and BugBox allows colleagues to bond and relate over typical life annoyances and stress. Both of the sets provide an opportunity for carers to talk about their feelings with others and lessen their mental load.

Final outcomes

In conclusion, break times are a vital part of carer wellbeing whilst on shift, however, a break that is filled with interruptions and jargon-filled decor is not a break at all. A new, designed-for-purpose staff room that prioritises relaxation and detachment will provide a space for carers to take care of their wellbeing.