Family Care - UX Design Project

A mobile application that improves quality of life for older adults and caregivers with meaningful scheduling.

Video Presentation

Overview

Problem

How can we create something to improve quality of life for older adults and their loved ones as they transition into the end of life stage?

Solution

We create a mobile application to improve quality of life for older adults and family caretakers through meaningful scheduling.

Project Details

Team Leader of three-person UX Design project

My Contributions: user interviews, literature review, personas, paper prototype, critique sessions, wireframes, high fidelity prototype, report

Empathize

User Interviews

Method / Target Group:

We conducted 6 semi-structured interviews with older adults (age 85 - 90) and separately their family members who are their caretakers. This included family members who identify as full-time or part-time caretakers.

Things that were important to both groups:

Family bonds / strong relationships
Meaningful activities
Organization / scheduling
Passing down stories

Literature Review

We reviewed research papers on related topics:

Dying, Death, and the Afterlife in Human-Computer Interaction
Exploring Factors Influencing Caregiver Burden
Activity Scheduling for Older Adults
Conceptualizing How Caregiving‬ Relationships Connect to Quality of Family Caregiving
Quality of the Caregiver-Care Recipient Relationship
Association Between‬ Caregiver Strain and Self-Care

Define

Findings Report

Personas

About:

Peter is a 58 year old park ranger, and father of 2 kids. He works with his 3 siblings to take care of his 90 year old dad, whose health has deteriorated in the past year.

Frustrations:

Peter feels like he takes on way more responsibilities than his siblings, which frustrates him because its unfair, and stresses him out because he feels like he has no time to take care of himself. He is constantly doing things for his dad and checking in, because he doesn't want to lose track of things that need to be done. He also is sad to see his dad getting older and wants to make his days meaningful and give him the best care possible, but it feels like its too much to manage.

Needs:

A way to divide care responsibilities between him and his siblings
A way to get tasks done without having to stress over them
A way to make his dad's days meaningful

About:

Julia is a 63 year old teacher, and mother of 4 kids. She lives far away from her 90 year old dad, whose health has deteriorated this year.

Frustrations:

Julia wants to help her siblings take care of her dad, but feels frustrated because she doesn't know what she can do since she lives so far away. She also always feels like she's out of the loop on her dad's health and wants to know whats happening in his daily life. She wishes she lived closer but isn't ready to give up her career or her family's home.

Needs: