Empathy in Action: Human-Centered Design for Stroke Recovery and Beyond
For a recent design fellowship focused on helping stroke survivors transition from clinical care back to daily life at home, HKS’ Detroit studio explored how human-centered design can improve stroke recovery, independence and everyday life after inpatient rehabilitation, drawing on expertise close to home.
During the three-day fellowship, Andrew Jaeger, a medical planner who previously worked at HKS, shared his experience of stroke recovery. “Andrew is a lab planning expert and dear friend of ours who experienced a life-altering stroke nearly three years ago. He understands firsthand the challenges that come with adapting from a health care living environment to life at home,” said Courtney Krause, HKS Project Designer. “He wanted nothing more than to be back in the office doing what he loves: teaching and sharing his wealth of knowledge with others.”
Or as Jaeger put it, “They asked me to participate and I said, ‘Hell yeah!’ I love working with students. They’re open to new ideas.”
Since 2009, HKS’ annual Detroit Design Fellowship (DDF) has brought together design professionals, students and recent graduates to collaborate on solutions to societal challenges. The latest DDF cohort included 16 fellows from six different colleges and universities, including people studying architecture, interior design, urban design and medicine. This mix “led to rich, interdisciplinary conversations,” said Krause. “When we include diverse voices and center human stories and experiences in our design process, we are truly at our best.”
“When we include diverse voices and center human stories and experiences in our design process, we are truly at our best.”
Making a Meaningful Difference Through Design
At the outset of the fellowship, Jaeger spoke candidly about his recovery experience, addressing challenges such as communication, mobility and feelings of loneliness. His story illuminated the wide variety of needs people may have after a stroke.
“He talked about how mental health is a huge aspect of stroke recovery,” Krause said. “There are obviously spatial implications and things we can do with architecture and design to support people after a stroke, but our conversations moved beyond spatial solutions – more about how to support all parts of a person in recovery. That lens really opened everyone’s thinking.”
Fellows recorded what they learned in conversation with Jaeger using HKS’ empathy mapping tool – a framework for grounding design ideas in a thorough understanding of stakeholders’ thoughts, feelings and actions. This practice helps designers create solutions that resonate with users.
Informed by Jaeger’s insights, the group broke into four teams to devise interventions to support independence, restore confidence and enhance the quality of life for people regaining abilities after a stroke. “The goal was not to solve every aspect of stroke recovery, but to identify a focused opportunity where design can make a meaningful difference in someone’s daily life,” said Natalie DeLiso, HKS Job Captain.
Two concepts the teams proposed – Move Mate and Common Care – illustrate how design can address a range of needs during stroke recovery, from mobility and independence to structured community support.
Move Mate: An Adaptive Companion Throughout Recovery
Move Mate is a modular mobility system designed to support users throughout rehabilitation.
“Patients often move through different stages of mobility support, starting with a wheelchair, transitioning to a walker and eventually using a cane as they regain strength and balance,” said Srinjayee Saha, HKS Design Professional II. “However, most assistive devices today function as separate tools that don’t evolve with the patient’s recovery.”
The adaptive Move Mate system is meant to create a sense of continuity through recovery, reducing the frustration of constantly learning new devices. The system also integrates directly into the home environment, with dedicated plug-in spaces for docking, charging and storage that are intended to make the Move Mate feel less clinical and more a part of everyday life. In addition to the adaptive mobility device, the system includes interactive wall elements placed throughout the home to encourage gentle movement and cognitive engagement.
“Move Mate was designed to be accessible, modular and integrated into the home, while – most importantly – supporting the emotional and physical milestones that come with independence,” said Ainsley Capps, HKS Student Worker.
Common Care: A Local Gathering Spot and Health Care Hub
Common Care is a neighborhood “third space” where people can gather, interact and receive outpatient services.
According to Marin Parker, HKS Design Professional II – Interior Design, the team that developed Common Care focused on Jaeger’s assertion that while inpatient facilities are fine, outpatient environments can be challenging.
Looking back at their empathy mapping exercise, the team members identified six key considerations to use as the basis for their design: social networks, technology, companionship, mobility, caregiving and natural light. They used this framework to conceive of a place close to home where people with different needs can find community, peace of mind and outpatient support.
After considering a variety of long-term recovery models, the team selected three populations that represent distinct recovery journeys: stroke survivors, expectant or new mothers and children with special needs.
The Common Care environment is designed to accommodate what the team described as five pillars of support. The first pillar is people: volunteer caregivers and professional nurses who ensure no one is navigating recovery alone. The second is space, or dedicated areas for exercise, yoga, music, therapy or learning new ways of living. The third pillar is structured engagement and community support, to mitigate feelings of isolation. The fourth pillar, technology, involves teaching patients to use telemedicine and assistive tools. And the fifth pillar is an accessible environment designed for everyone, regardless of where they are on their path to recovery.
“Common Care isn’t a hospital, it’s not quite a home, it’s exactly that in-between space – a neighborhood hub designed to meet people where they are and walk alongside them wherever recovery takes them,” said Areej Shahin, HKS Design Professional I.
Broader Impact and Long-term Influence
DDF leaders shared their hope that these design concepts will inspire people within HKS and the wider community of emerging professionals to recognize the transformative power of prioritizing users’ firsthand experiences in design.
According to DeLiso, one beautiful thing about the annual fellowship is that the ideas and energy sparked by the event influence participants’ work moving forward. “And the connection formed among the fellows often carries well forward into their careers,” she said.
As an example, Krause noted that DeLiso and Shahin were part of the 2023 DDF as fellows and they are now both full-time HKS employees who continue to lead with curiosity and inclusion.
“These design fellowships are an excellent reminder that conversations rooted in empathy are not only of interest to young designers but are required for us to do our most innovative and impactful design thinking,” Krause said. “It’s up to us to create space for new ideas.”
