Project Heldu: Management platform for caregivers of people with dementia
category:
On user research & Design of digital product
sector:
Health, Health Care
date:
January 2019
Project developed for the Master in Strategic Design of Products and Services of Mondragon Unibertsitatea, in collaboration with local entities. Arises as a response to the progressive aging of the population and the increase in cases of dementia, where 85% of the patients are cared for at home by family members, not specialized, generating an emotional and physical toll significant and the need for management tools and information verified.
The design challenge
Design a comprehensive solution that relieves the overloading of the primary caregiver, is to promote the stewardship family, provide reliable and accessible information about dementia and to facilitate the continuous monitoring of the patient, thus improving the quality of life of both the affected and their support networks.
Methodology and process
We applied a methodology of design, user-centric, structured in three main phases:
User research
We begin with a thorough investigation which included a detailed study of dementia, its symptoms, evolution and types, as well as conducting numerous interviews and observations with patients, caregivers, family members, and health professionals.
We complement this work with sessions of co-creation made in collaboration with associations of families, which allowed us to identify real needs and critical points from within the lived experience.
In parallel, we conducted an analysis of trends in digital health and the public health sector to contextualize our solution in the current landscape, and future.
Ideation and definition
We generate three different concepts: a platform for volunteers, an application of family management and an information kit physical-to-digital.
Each proposal was submitted to a testing with agents relevant t to the patient who allowed us to assess their feasibility and potential impact, selecting the management application as the optimal solution to.
This process culminated with the definition of a brief design that established the 9 key principles that should comply our solution to address comprehensively the issue identified.
Development and prototype
Focused on the design of the application “Heldu”, working meticulously in its architecture and information flows from the user to create an experience that is intuitive and effective. The prototyping of the interface prioritized usability, considering that our target audience were mainly adults do not necessarily familiar with advanced technology. Simultaneously, we developed the business model, the plan of economic viability and marketing strategy, ensuring that the solution is sustainable and could reach effectively to the families that needed it most.
Outcome and impact
The end result was Heldu, a mobile application that works as a system of comprehensive support to families caring for people with dementia.
The solution integrates three fundamental pillars: a management module family with a shared calendar and task organization that allows you to evenly distribute the load of care; a system of tracking patient’s daily surveys that generate automatic reports to physicians, providing a more accurate diagnosis; and a learning platform with content verified by specialists and emotional support for caregivers.
The measurable impact includes a significant reduction of the burden of the primary caregiver, a substantial improvement in family communication and the empowerment of caregivers through access to reliable information and guidelines for action.
The role of design
The design strategic was the key to connect the research with the solution tangible, acting as a bridge between the human needs identified and the proposed technique is feasible to.
Perform the synthesis of insights complexes derived from multiple sources into design opportunities, clear and actionable, defining the brief, which would guide all the development.
We design the complete user experience, for an adult audience not necessarily familiar with the technology.
Finally, we define the value proposition and business model ensuring that the project was not only desirable and usable, but also viable and sustainable over time, demonstrating the strategic value of design to solve complex social issues.
