Pal
A smart home system for informal caregivers of those living with Dementia.
Context
Pal is a product system that aims to develop a smart home system specifically designed to support informal caregivers who are providing care for loved ones with dementia. Pal is a comprehensive, smart home solution tailored to the unique needs of caregivers of individuals living with dementia.
Roles
User Research
Product Strategy
UX Design
UI Design
Prototyping
Usability Testing
tools
Figma
Figjam
timeline
8 months
The realities of dementia care.
Over 500,000 Canadians live with dementia, and many of them choose to remain in their own homes or communities instead of care facilities due to a lack of infrastructure and emotional attachment to their homes. Informal caregivers, primarily spouses or children, provide the primary source of support but often experience burnout due to a lack of official check-ins with physicians and caregiver training. New caregivers take on significant responsibility quickly, leading to challenges in maintaining their own health and well-being. Caregiver burnout can result in adverse health outcomes and make caregivers feel like they are a second patient.
hypothesis
Empowering informal caregivers through home-based dementia care.
By creating a comprehensive support system that facilitates communication and collaboration among physicians, caregivers, and individuals living with dementia can help make the caregiving role more manageable, without compromising the mental and physical health of caregivers. This holistic approach has the potential to enhance the quality of life and care for individuals experiencing cognitive decline, and enable them to live independently in their own homes for a longer duration.
Solution
Transforming Home-Based Dementia Care: Ambient-Assisted Living Technology as a Supportive Solution
The critical area of opportunity identified is to alleviate caregiver burden for those who care for individuals in the early stages of cognitive decline, who are still able to function independently at home. This would be achieved through the use of ambient-assisted living technology and sensors in the home that track the activities of the person with dementia, providing real-time data to the caregiver. The system would be customizable to the caregiver's lifestyle, providing them with information and confidence, while preventing caregiver burnout. This tool could serve as a reliable support for caregivers, enabling them to maintain their routines and avoid becoming overwhelmed, thus preventing them from becoming the "second patient.”
product feature overview
Hub
The main base is where the data is stored locally, connects the individual sensors, and monitors irregular activities.
Sensors
Monitors irregular activities in the home and connect to the hub.
Wearable
Worn by the caregiver, it is used to differentiate between the actions of the caregiver and the person with dementia.
Data visualization
Compiles and visualized the data collected by the sensors in a consumable way for the caregiver to interpret and be informed.
outcome
Supporting Informal Caregivers in Dementia Care through Personalized Support Systems
In my research on cognitive decline, I identified a significant gap in the healthcare system's attention to informal caregivers, who are often partners or children of individuals with dementia. These caregivers quickly take on significant responsibilities, adjusting their lifestyle to provide care while managing their own lives. However, this demanding role can lead to adverse health outcomes and burnout. Informal caregivers spend an average of 44.6 hours per week caring for their loved ones, often experiencing caregiver burden and becoming the "second patient" themselves.
Based on extensive research and interactions with caregivers, I have developed a system that aims to inform caregivers about irregular in-home activities of persons living with dementia. The system is designed to act as a supportive partner to caregivers, offering comfort and confidence, enabling them to maintain their routine and avoid burnout, while preventing them from becoming the "second patient". The system is highly customizable to fit the lifestyle of each caregiver, and it keeps them informed with timely and relevant information.
Guiding principles
Acting as a partner to the caregiver
Customizable for the caregiver
Keeps the caregiver informed
research
Primary research
I had the privilege of conducting and participating in more than 35 primary research sessions, collaborations, and interactions with current and former informal caregivers of individuals living with dementia. To help me better understand the space, I conducted a variety of primary and secondary research studies to identify pain points and wow moments in the existing experience.
Based on extensive research and interactions with caregivers, I have developed a system that aims to inform caregivers about irregular in-home activities of persons living with dementia. The system is designed to act as a supportive partner to caregivers, offering comfort and confidence, enabling them to maintain their routine and avoid burnout, while preventing them from becoming the "second patient". The system is highly customizable to fit the lifestyle of each caregiver, and it keeps them informed with timely and relevant information.
Characteristics
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Implications
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Stakeholders
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Card sorting
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Interviews
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Caregiver forum
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Caregiver support groups
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Artifact analysis
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Competitive benchmark
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user flow
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ideations
Low fidelity
Hub
I focused on achieving visual coherence among the components of my design through the exploration of interlocking shapes, repeating forms, and similar materials.
Individual sensors
I ensured design consistency for the sensors by carefully considering their form and placement in relation to the home, and also taking into account the design of the hub to maintain a cohesive look and feel across all components of the system.
Wearable
During my visits to retirement homes, I noticed that many older adults hold sentimental value in their personal jewelry, such as watches, necklaces, and bracelets, and are hesitant to replace them with technology. This inspired me to explore design concepts for wearables that could be seamlessly added onto or integrated with the caregiver's existing accessories, taking into consideration their sentimental attachments and preferences.
Data visualization
Originally, my plan was to design a web-based app for visualizing the data collected from the sensors. However, through ideations and discussions with caregivers, I came to the realization that a web app may not be practical for them, as it would require access to a computer and the internet. This led me to reconsider the design approach and explore more accessible alternatives for caregivers.
Conceptual model
The initial ideation of the conceptual map involved combining various components of the interaction among the physician, caregiver, person with dementia, and the sensor system. It also included a high-level understanding of sensor functionality and the data they could collect. The resulting diagram represents the initial attempt at creating an information architecture for the system, with different components broken down for in-depth exploration.
Mid fidelity
Hub
After generating initial design sketches, I moved on to using cardboard to create 3D models for the hub, experimenting with different forms. I then utilized a 3D printer to produce higher fidelity models, which allowed me to further refine the form. Additionally, I explored different fabric options that could be wrapped around the model, adding an additional layer of investigation to the design process.
Individual sensors
From my initial ideations, I selected a range of shapes and sizes to explore in higher fidelity for the sensors. I started by creating cardboard prototypes before moving on to utilizing a 3D printer to produce a batch of circular sensors. These 3D printed sensors were then used to test different fabric wrapping techniques, materials, and colors, allowing for further experimentation and refinement of the sensor design.
Wearable
During the design of the wearable, I carefully considered the need for adaptability to different demographic characteristics, such as gender and age, and the importance of it being non-intrusive to caregivers' lives. I conducted user testing and explored various forms during the ideation process, ultimately concluding that a simple shape would be the most widely accepted design based on the gathered information.
Data visualization
After identifying the various sections and functionalities required for the app, I started by creating low-fidelity wireframes to outline the app's layout and structure.
Conceptual model
The system involves physicians, caregivers, the person living with dementia, and the technology used for monitoring and displaying irregular activities in the home. The conceptual model outlines the pathway from the initial contact between the caregiver and the package of devices received from the physician, to setting up the devices in the home, and how data is transmitted through the devices. The data is then visualized in the app, providing valuable information to the caregiver and keeping them informed about in-home activity.
System logic
The system logic for the sensor system was not initially established and emerged later in the development process. It was decided to make the sensor system smart to reduce caregiver workload by not only informing caregivers but also reminding the person with dementia to alter their behavior for better health. The logic model followed a series of yes or no questions based on activity in the home, such as "is it after a certain period of the day?" The scope of the project was focused on daytime activity, but it could be extended to monitor nighttime activity as well. If the time criteria set by the caregiver was met, the system would move on to the next question. This process would continue until either the person with dementia altered their behavior based on the sensor system's notifications or after a certain number of notifications, the system would notify the caregiver about the irregular activity and transfer the responsibility to the caregiver.
High fidelity - Product features
Hub
Local storage
Safety and security are in the control of the caregiver. They are able to share data and manage who has access to the data at all times.
Monitoring
Monitors irregular activities around the home of the person living with Dementia.
LED's
Visual cueing to show power state of the hub and when it is active.
Auditory cueing
Provides auditory cueing to the person living with Dementia to encourage specific activity in the home.
Connection point
Sensors are all connected through Bluetooth.
Charging station
Charges individual sensors when they are placed on the top of the hub.
Hub
Top of hub
Charging dock for sensors
Divider
Provides the PCB with airflow between components.
Top of PCB
dual-band controller
Wireless connection from the sensors to the app.
proximity sensor
Detects the position of the person living with Dementia, in addition to sensing the positions of the other sensors in the home.
accelerator
Detects the vibration from cupboards and drawers.
microphones
Detects the frequency of water.
Bottom of PCB
microprocessor
Processes the data collected from the sensors around the home.
power input jack
Use to plug into the wall to power the device.
Middle of Hub
Cover for the electronics and acts as a frame to wrap the fabric around.
Individual sensors
Monitoring
Monitors irregular activities around the home of the person living with Dementia.
LED's
Visual cueing to show power state of the hub and when it is active.
Individual sensors
Top of hub
Charging dock for sensors
Divider
Provides the PCB with airflow between components.
Top of PCB
dual-band controller
Wireless connection from the sensors to the app.
proximity sensor
Detects the position of the person living with Dementia, in addition to sensing the positions of the other sensors in the home.
accelerator
Detects the vibration from cupboards and drawers.
microphones
Detects the frequency of water.
Bottom of PCB
microprocessor
Processes the data collected from the sensors around the home.
power input jack
Use to plug into the wall to power the device.
Middle of Hub
Cover for the electronics and acts as a frame to wrap the fabric around.