The research project aims to reveal the relationship between the inclusiveness of consideration and industrial design. Specifically, the research will focus on designing furniture in aged care. The stakeholders include different capabilities levels, either staff or residents. How Inclusive Design is a competitive strategy in aged care projects is reflected by observation, interviews, and questionnaires with stakeholders. The author explores the different aspects of Universal Design and Inclusive Design across the design disciplines and differences in user capabilities and needs that may decrease the versatility. The project is toward the practical solution for the elderly with dementia by Human-Centred Design and User-Centred Design.

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As in many countries worldwide, Australia will face ageing due to a lowering birth rate and an increase in life expectancy. It is estimated that the number of Australians aged 65 and over will nearly double from 3.8 million in 2017 to approximately 6.5 million in 2042 (ABS 2018a). As the prevalence of people with disabilities increases with age, and as our population ages, there may be more Australians living with disabilities (ABS 2018b).

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Over half of people living in residential aged care have a diagnosis of dementia. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) include behaviours like aggression, screaming, wandering, and symptoms such as apathy, depression and hallucinations. Research shows that music and multisensory interventions reduce the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (Pedersen et al. 2017; Moreno-Morales 2020). Engagement in meaningful daily activities can also promote health and well-being, with similar effects as music therapy, sound therapy, and sensory therapies.