Dementia Lab 2025: Ethics + Aesthetics in Design : Proceedings of the 7th Dementia Lab Conference, D-Lab 2025, March 13–14, 2025, Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract

This is an open access book. It gathers revised and selected contributions to the 7th Dementia Lab Conference, D-Lab 2025, held on March 13–14, 2025, in Aveiro, Portugal, reporting on innovative research aimed at improving the lives of people with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers. This edition addresses the theme of ethics + aesthetics in design. Ethics emphasize justice, advocate for inclusive, person-centred practices, and challenge societal stigmas. Aesthetics, beyond beauty, focus on sensory and emotional engagement, which becomes increasingly significant as dementia progresses. Together, these principles guide innovative design approaches that enhance care, identity, and connection. Being organized into three themes, Designing with People with Dementia, Including Design in Dementia Care, and Design within Cultures of Care, this collection highlights research on participation, technology, and the cultural dimensions of care. It also demonstrates the key role of design in creating products and environments that embrace aesthetic value and is expected to challenge stigmas and unrealistic assumptions about people living with dementia