RSA, Caring Culture: Together Apart
Working on the RSA Caring Culture brief, which asked to improve the lives of older adults and their carers, I chose to focus on long-distance care. I gave myself the challenge to reconnect long-distance carers and their elders to improve their well-being.
The Response
With the aim to foster togetherness remotely, I created Together Apart. This subscription-based service offers collaborative puzzle games, traditionally designed for one-person use. By strategically dividing puzzle clues into two books—one for the caregiver and another for the older person—Together Apart encourages collaboration and consistent communication. This unique approach aims to strengthen connections and foster an improved sense of closeness across distances.
Together Apart features a monthly collection of puzzle games available in both physical and digital forms, such as books and/or app accounts. Depending on the number of players, whether it is just one carer and elderly loved one or multiple family members participating, the service would provide its users with a collection of puzzles such as sudokus, crosswords, and word searches. The more players, the bigger the puzzle would be. The puzzle would be divided among all participants, with each receiving the same puzzle but with different clues. For example, in a crossword puzzle, the caregiver receives one set of clues while the elderly relative receives another. The aim is for all members to communicate with one another to solve the puzzle together.
Thinking about creative ways to market Together Apart to its audience, the service could be advertised on GP and doctor envelopes. When receiving their letters, the carer and the older person would find a puzzle integrated into the envelope, which they would have to solve collaboratively. This engaging marketing tactic would allow users to sample the service and encourage them to learn more about it