Tech inventor helping elderly...aged 94
AGE is no barrier for former engineer John Downes who, age 94, has made 200 useful items for his fellow care-home residents, all with the aid of a state-ofthe-art 3D printer.
His designs include light pull cords that glow in the dark, door-lock attachments and egg cups.
Fun
The grandfather-of-two was keen to carry on his computer-based hobbies when he moved into Home Meadows in Toft, Cambs, in May. Staff helped him to set up the 3D printer in his room along with his computer.
Since then John, who lives there with his wife, has made items for fellow residents who were struggling to use some of the facilities. He said: “I had some fun making egg cups for the residents and sourced a special plastic that could be painted, which I used to make miniature cats for residents to paint.” Before retiring John had a successful career as an electronic and optical engineering consultant and ran a factory making machinery for the quartz industry.
He said: “When I read an article about the printers when they first came out, it made me curious. Technology’s never been a problem for me. I’ve been familiar with computers since they were first on the market.”
Joe Ballard, Home Meadows’ activities coordinator, said: “John is a highly intelligent, brilliant man, who loves to create things. When he said he had some ideas for things he could make for residents, we were delighted.
“The fact they are bringing real benefits to the home is a bonus. He’s already designing decorations for Christmas.”