THE CHALLENGE
The challenge was thus to develop a digital product that improves the quality of life of people living with Dementia and those directly affected.
Dementia, impairing one’s memory and bringing about a decline in self-management, often leaves individuals with very little independence and self-sufficiency. Involved caregivers, medical professionals and core family members are also significantly affected as they often have to support physically, emotionally, socially and in some cases even financially. As a result, the person living with Dementia and these key role-players often experience diminished quality of life.
THE APPROACH
Understanding the challenge and users
Surveys
Stakeholder Interviews
User observation
Competitor analysis [international focus]
Published journals on the topic
Exploratory research including surveys, stakeholder interviews, user observation, competitor research, and desk research was conducted to establish what the most prevalent issues were surrounding a decrease in the quality of life of South Africans living with Dementia.
The user research was conducted with people living with Dementia and those directly involved such as geriatric psychiatrists, caregivers, family members and general practitioners.
Research showed that medication non-adherence and a decrease in maintaining adequate nutrition and hygiene (self-care) were key factors that led to a diminished quality of life among these individuals.
Pain point-based personas were developed using these research findings. The personas assisted in developing a need statement and digital solution that caters to each persona's needs.
The following need statement was established based on the research findings - driving the project:
South Africans living with Dementia and those directly involved are
in need of an application that can assist them in remembering self-care and health-related tasks to provide Dementia patients with a sense of independence and make the workload of those directly involved more manageable (as to improve their quality of life).
THE APPROACH
Creating a research-based solution
Wireframing & prototyping
Heuristic Evaluation
Usability Testing
An iterative process assisted in coming up with a viable research-based solution that considers this need statement.
Jakob Nielsen's general principles for interaction design was used as a guideline during the low fidelity wireframing phase.
Usability testing was conducted with early onset dementia patients and caregivers on the mid fidelity wireframes whereafter changes/adaptations were made. The solution was tested again in a higher-fidelity to ensure that the interface aligns with the user's mental model and is easy to navigate.
THE SOLUTION
The solution is a digital product refined through iterative usability testing and heuristic evaluation.
The solution is an application, called Momento, which mainly sets out to remind Dementia patients and caregivers of self-care and health-related tasks while allowing for a support system in terms of completing these tasks - a way for medical professionals and families to keep these parties accountable and motivated.
The application provides its users with the following key functions/task flows:
For specifications, press the "i" for information in the top right corner of the videos
Set up a profile and support group
Set up reminders
Receive reminders
View/edit reminders
