Why the need for this product?
Background
Many people have the responsibility of taking care of family members that are sick or disabled. They often have limited resources and find themselves needing help as well. And while friends and family often say “I’m there for you” or “let me know what I can do to help,” not much happens for one reason or another. So, I set out to learn more about what the caregiver really needs and find a way to remove some of the roadblocks that prevent them from getting help.
Background
Many people have the responsibility of taking care of family members that are sick or disabled. They often have limited resources and find themselves needing help as well. And while friends and family often say “I’m there for you” or “let me know what I can do to help,” not much happens for one reason or another. So, I set out to learn more about what the caregiver really needs and find a way to remove some of the roadblocks that prevent them from getting help.
Problem Statement
The problem we suspect is that caregivers are embarrassed and unsure about how or where to ask for help from others when they need it.
The problem we suspect is that caregivers are embarrassed and unsure about how or where to ask for help from others when they need it.
Key Objective
The key objective was to find out about the experiences of caregivers and learn where they need to be supported. Five user interviews were conducted. Target audience: caregivers and the family & friends of caregivers; ages 18 to 70; low to middle income.
The key objective was to find out about the experiences of caregivers and learn where they need to be supported. Five user interviews were conducted. Target audience: caregivers and the family & friends of caregivers; ages 18 to 70; low to middle income.
What are caregivers saying?
Interviews
The women interviewed ranged from age 26 to 65.
Interviews
The women interviewed ranged from age 26 to 65.
Key Findings
Caregivers need to:
Caregivers need to:
• Find out what resources are available;
• Be better prepared for what is expected
when deciding to take care of a loved one; and
• Find relief on a consistent basis.
• Be better prepared for what is expected
when deciding to take care of a loved one; and
• Find relief on a consistent basis.
Family & friends of caregivers need to:
• Stay connected - stay abreast of what's going on;
• Understand what the caregiver needs; and
• Have the ability to fit them in their busy schedule.
• Stay connected - stay abreast of what's going on;
• Understand what the caregiver needs; and
• Have the ability to fit them in their busy schedule.
And they were all motivated out of love and obligation.
Problem Statement Redefined
The interviews enabled me to have a better understanding of the Problem: Caregivers, family, and friends need a way to get the support their loved ones need as well as support for themselves so that they can give the best care possible to the people they love because the resources that are available are either unknown, not easily accessible and/or difficult to receive.
The interviews enabled me to have a better understanding of the Problem: Caregivers, family, and friends need a way to get the support their loved ones need as well as support for themselves so that they can give the best care possible to the people they love because the resources that are available are either unknown, not easily accessible and/or difficult to receive.
Research the competition...
Exploratory Analysis
Competitors like aarp, wellthy, whatfriendsdo, hivebrite, and caringbridge all offered something for the caregiver that was worth exploring.
Competitors like aarp, wellthy, whatfriendsdo, hivebrite, and caringbridge all offered something for the caregiver that was worth exploring.
Feature Comparison Matrix
The key elements that most competitors seem to have are a calendar, a communication platform, and a way to receive monetary donations.
The key elements that most competitors seem to have are a calendar, a communication platform, and a way to receive monetary donations.
Comparative Analysis
Each competitor did something well: whatfriendsdo had a very clean interface; aarp offered a huge database of resources; groupme had an easy-to-use chat feature and famcal, a colorful calendar.
Each competitor did something well: whatfriendsdo had a very clean interface; aarp offered a huge database of resources; groupme had an easy-to-use chat feature and famcal, a colorful calendar.
Look closer at the user and her experience...
Primary Persona
User Flow
Problem Statement Redefined
Primary Persona: Kathy (caregiver) needs a way to find and access the resources she needs to care for her 70 year old father because it’s been overwhelming to do it all by herself.
Primary Persona: Kathy (caregiver) needs a way to find and access the resources she needs to care for her 70 year old father because it’s been overwhelming to do it all by herself.
Secondary Persona: Tia (friend) needs a way to stay informed about Kathy’s father because right now, she doesn’t know what help Kathy needs.
Hypothesis
We believe that by providing Kathy easy access to caregiving resources she will have more time for herself. We believe this to be true when we see Kathy enjoying some of the things she used to do like attending her monthly book club meetings. We also believe that by providing Tia an easy way to stay informed about Kathy’s father she will feel more connected to the situation and will know when and how she could help. We believe this to be true when we see Tia give Kathy a hand or simply her time.
We believe that by providing Kathy easy access to caregiving resources she will have more time for herself. We believe this to be true when we see Kathy enjoying some of the things she used to do like attending her monthly book club meetings. We also believe that by providing Tia an easy way to stay informed about Kathy’s father she will feel more connected to the situation and will know when and how she could help. We believe this to be true when we see Tia give Kathy a hand or simply her time.
Begin designing...
Affinity Map
The Affinity Map helped us to stay focused on the issues that were most important to our user: Resources; Scheduling; Communication; Planning & Management; and Donation of time, skills, & money.
The Affinity Map helped us to stay focused on the issues that were most important to our user: Resources; Scheduling; Communication; Planning & Management; and Donation of time, skills, & money.
