Jessica Haydon
Mind-full
A cookbook for stroke recovery
Mind-full is a rehabilitative and educational cookbook which supports people who have had a stroke. Research has found that cooking can be highly rehabilitative in stroke recovery. This project has been constructed to allow users to increase their independence and motivation during recovery and overall improve their well-being.
The publication is designed to assist those with a visual impairment as a result of the stroke by considering contrast, colour, text size and layout in accordance with Print Design Guidelines NZ. Illustration and photography are incorporated into the cookbook to communicate cooking methods in an alternative way, which supports individuals struggling to read and comprehend written instructions. The addition of tabs enables the user to navigate throughout the book easily, and the inclusion of a reading focus card helps to improve attention and focus for stroke patients struggling to read large amounts of text. The result is a cookbook for individuals recovering from a stroke, presented in an accessible and user-friendly way.
Stroke is a health care problem that commonly affects many individuals worldwide and as a result can negatively impact the individual by reducing their independence and ability to partake in activities of daily living. However, it has been proven that cooking can act as a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool to support independent living as well as improve the individual’s mental well-being as it requires close attention when measuring, taste testing and following a recipe. Because of the focus required, this can help ease feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
Mind-full is a rehabilitative and educational cookbook which supports those who have had a stroke and has been carefully constructed with the user in mind. It contains simple recipes which follow a recommended diet post stroke, sourced from reputable sources including The Stroke Foundation. Throughout the recipes, recommended tips have been incorporated to encourage the mobility of arm and hand movement as well as preparation tips to conserve energy. This project aims to encourage the use of practical daily living tasks as a form of rehabilitation, to support independence and motivation for those recovering from a stroke.
