You+Care

You+Care is an online guiding service designed to support the caregivers of the loved ones with Alzheimer. The platform guides caregivers though this tough journey and helps them to quickly navigate unknown challenges and adapt to the constantly changing desease state and needs.

Year
Year

2021- 2022

2021- 2022

Project type
Project type

Service Design

Service Design

User Research

User Research

Wireframes

Wireframes

Collaboration
Collaboration

ZHAW Department of Social Work

ZHAW Department of Social Work

We+Tech and Pro Aidants

We+Tech and Pro Aidants

Alzheimer Zürich

Alzheimer Zürich

Team
Team

Prof. Jürgen Spät

Prof. Jürgen Spät

Dzhuliia Kolodko

Dzhuliia Kolodko

Nadine Cochina

Nadine Cochina

Dr. Samuel Wehrli

Dr. Samuel Wehrli

Barbara Baumeister

Barbara Baumeister

My Role

I began participating in the project as a User Researcher when it aimed to develop a meditation app.

After researching existing solutions and understanding the core issues faced by caregivers, I helped shape the Service Concept into a "digital guide" solution.

My role in the project took three directions:

— Research: User (Caregivers and Patients'), Market Analysis, Study of Existing Solutions, and Alzheimer Progression Research

— Developed the Service Concept and Blueprint, transitioning to a "digital guide" solution

— Created wireframes for the app's functionality and flow

— Working on collaboration with Alzheimer Zurich. I reached out to Alzheimer Zurich to understand better our users, afterwards i we started to brainstorm the collaboration pathways between the projects.

The Challenge

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, with each stage presenting new challenges. Caregiving relatives often suffer from high stress, being unprepared for these challenges.

Effective formats already exist, but they should be made accessible to this target group of caregivers or tailored specifically for them.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, with each stage presenting new challenges. Caregiving relatives often suffer from high stress, being unprepared for these challenges.
Effective formats already exist, but they should be made accessible to this target group of caregivers or tailored specifically for them.

"In general, there is no cohesive system in this area. Many clubs, foundations, and other institutions are competing for their place. In my opinion, it is not about increasing the number of offerings, but rather about building a network that complements each other"

Caregivers

A caregiver is a middle-aged individual balancing full-time work and family responsibilities while providing extensive care for a loved one with a chronic illness.

Despite their dedication, they often experience high levels of stress due to the demanding nature of caregiving, the emotional burden of their loved one's condition, and the challenge of maintaining their own well-being.

Product

You+Care Guide

Nadine Cochina and the team designed and crafted the final You+Care app's final screens & UI's. My role in Service Development and Design is illustrated through the detailed process and wireframes showcased below.

design Process - Jump to the section
October 2021
October 2021

Primary Research

Research on Users
(Caregivers & Patients)

Research on Self-Care Management

Research on Alzheimer

Market Study

March 2021
March 2021

Reshaping Concept

Collaboration with Alzheimer Zurich

Defining Service Goals

December 2021
December 2021

Develop

Interview with Caregivers

Interview with Caregivers

User Persona

Caregiver Journey Map

Caregiver Journey Map

Service Blueprint

June-October 2022
June-October 2022

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

High-Fidelity Prototype

User Flow

October 2021 - november 2021

Primary Research

Research Phase Kick-Off

Understanding Users

Within Primary Research I covered topics:

Self-Care Management

Stress Assessment Methods

Caregiver’s Stress Exposure

The research helped to pinpoint the main support needs of caregivers in Switzerland, such as emotional and medical assistance. We identified a gap between caregivers' needs and available support, advocating for tailored services that adapt to individual situations.

01

Demographics

Around 600,000 Swiss serve as caregivers, predominantly aged 54 to 65. About 8% are youths aged 9 to 15, mainly caring for grandparents and siblings.

01

Demographics

Around 600,000 Swiss serve as caregivers, predominantly aged 54 to 65. About 8% are youths aged 9 to 15, mainly caring for grandparents and siblings.

02

Employment

Two-thirds of adult caregivers are employed, with the highest employment among those aged 50 to 64.

02

Employment

Two-thirds of adult caregivers are employed, with the highest employment among those aged 50 to 64.

03

Tasks and Responsibilities

Common tasks include emotional support, observation, and financial management.

03

Tasks and Responsibilities

Common tasks include emotional support, observation, and financial management.

04

Support Needs

Caregivers need emergency help, professional consultations, and transportation services for care recipients.

04

Support Needs

Caregivers need emergency help, professional consultations, and transportation services for care recipients.

05

Time Commitment

63% spend less than 10 hours per week on caregiving

05

Time Commitment

63% spend less than 10 hours per week on caregiving

06

Challenges

Caregivers managing chronic diseases or dementia face increased demands, highlighting the need for early detection and tailored support

06

Challenges

Caregivers managing chronic diseases or dementia face increased demands, highlighting the need for early detection and tailored support

Research Phase Kick-Off

Self-Care Management

After studying programs and workshops existing in Switzerland, I drafted the main conclusion that there are many solutions available. However, there is no overview of them.

The research helped to identify the need for a unified platform that could provide long-term support and improve awareness of existing services for caregivers. It emphasized building cooperative networks over competition, ensuring caregivers have financial support and access to well-suited care resources.

Stress Management —
Main Factors of Stress Level

The research on stress measurement for caregivers highlights several key findings:

01

Stress Levels

Caregivers report high psychological burdens linked to their caregiving roles, influencing their overall stress perception

01

Stress Levels

Caregivers report high psychological burdens linked to their caregiving roles, influencing their overall stress perception

02

Health-Related Stress

Increases in health-related stress exposures are directly associated with heightened perceived stress

02

Health-Related Stress

Increases in health-related stress exposures are directly associated with heightened perceived stress

03

Emotional Reactions

Emphasizing emotional goals may skew caregivers towards more positive perceptions, reducing stress reactions when exposed to stressors

03

Emotional Reactions

Emphasizing emotional goals may skew caregivers towards more positive perceptions, reducing stress reactions when exposed to stressors

04

Dynamic Stress Levels

Perceived stress can increase or decrease with the changing exposure to stressors and varies with other life challenges

04

Dynamic Stress Levels

Perceived stress can increase or decrease with the changing exposure to stressors and varies with other life challenges

05

High-Risk Groups

Elderly spousal caregivers experiencing mental or emotional strains are at a higher risk, indicating that caregiving stress impacts more vulnerable groups more severely

05

High-Risk Groups

Elderly spousal caregivers experiencing mental or emotional strains are at a higher risk, indicating that caregiving stress impacts more vulnerable groups more severely

06

Coping Mechanism

Effective coping includes identifying and regulating emotions triggered by stress, with strategies like reappraisal and suppression being common

06

Coping Mechanism

Effective coping includes identifying and regulating emotions triggered by stress, with strategies like reappraisal and suppression being common

  • Health-Related Stress

    Increases in health-related stress exposures are directly associated with heightened perceived stress

  • Emotional Reactions

    Emphasizing emotional goals may skew caregivers towards more positive perceptions, reducing stress reactions when exposed to stressors

  • Stress Levels

    Caregivers report high psychological burdens linked to their caregiving roles, influencing their overall stress perception

  • High-Risk Groups

    Elderly spousal caregivers experiencing mental or emotional strains are at a higher risk, indicating that caregiving stress impacts more vulnerable groups more severely

  • Stress Measurement

    Stress assessments require diverse methods, including self-reports, behavioral observations, and physiological metrics to fully capture caregivers' stress experiences

  • Coping Mechanism

    Effective coping includes identifying and regulating emotions triggered by stress, with strategies like reappraisal and suppression being common

  • Dynamic Stress Levels

    Perceived stress can increase or decrease with the changing exposure to stressors and varies with other life challenges

Individual
Difference Factors

This part of research helped me to identify that stress level and emotional burden of a caregiver are highly subjective.

Caregiver health declines are more tied to their subjective stress responses than just caregiving exposure.

This part of research helped me to identify that stress level and emotional burden of a caregiver are highly subjective. Caregiver health declines are more tied to their subjective stress responses than just caregiving exposure.

This part of research helped me to identify that stress level and emotional burden of a caregiver are highly subjective.
Caregiver health declines are more tied to their subjective stress responses than just caregiving exposure.

Taking into account the importance of subjective data and self-reports, self-report measures were defined as a good fit for the service, as such method helps to understand the subjective perception of each caregiver.

Main Insight

Caregiver health declines are more tied to their subjective stress responses than just caregiving exposure.

Market Study

application Research

Within the Market Study I have analysed over 20 most significant products on mediatation and caregiving.

Next, I rated all applications based on my personal assumption how relative they are to our project.

I studied closely the functions such as care coordination, medication management, health tracking, and mental health support. Apps offer features like medication organization, insurance and ID card management, health information tracking, and location services.

They also provide resources for managing dementia-related challenges and offer mental wellness tools like meditation practices and stress management advice.

Within the Market Study I have analysed over 20 most significant products on mediatation and caregiving.
Next, I rated all applications based on my personal assumption how relative they are to our project.
I studied closely the functions such as care coordination, medication management, health tracking, and mental health support. Apps offer features like medication organization, insurance and ID card management, health information tracking, and location services.
They also provide resources for managing dementia-related challenges and offer mental wellness tools like meditation practices and stress management advice.

Programms & Workshops Research

Research on Programms & Workshops emphasized the importance of supportive groups that foster a sense of belonging, solidarity, and hope to mitigate these negative emotions.

The findings suggest that effective support methods include sharing personal experiences, providing practical daily life tips, and teaching communication techniques for managing dementia-related behaviors.

Research on Programms & Workshops emphasized the importance of supportive groups that foster a sense of belonging, solidarity, and hope to mitigate these negative emotions.
The findings suggest that effective support methods include sharing personal experiences, providing practical daily life tips, and teaching communication techniques for managing dementia-related behaviors.

Main Insight

There is a necessity of helping caregivers recognize and manage their stress through practical questions and guides them towards existing online events and resources for ongoing support.

  • Demographics

    Around 600,000 Swiss serve as caregivers, predominantly aged 54 to 65.

    About 8% are youths aged 9 to 15, mainly caring for grandparents and siblings.

  • Employment

    Two-thirds of adult caregivers are employed, with the highest employment among those aged 50 to 64.

  • Tasks and Responsibilities

    Common tasks include emotional support, observation, and financial management.

  • Support Needs

    Caregivers need emergency help, professional consultations, and transportation services for care recipients.

  • Time Commitment

    63% spend less than 10 hours per week on caregiving

  • Time Commitment

    63% spend less than 10 hours per week on caregiving

  • challenges

    Caregivers managing chronic diseases or dementia face increased demands, highlighting the need for early detection and tailored support

March 2021

Reshaping The Concept

Reshaping The Concept

Collaboration with Alzheimer Zurich + Expert Interviews

Collaboration with Alzheimer Zurich
+ Expert Interviews

To better understand caregiving, I reached out to Alzheimer Zurich and had several interview sessions with Nina Wolf. Nina, who regularly works with caregivers, helped us shape the concept and guidance of the service.

To gain a deeper understanding of caregiving, I consulted with Alzheimer Zurich and conducted multiple interview sessions with Nina Wolf. Nina, who regularly interacts with caregivers, assisted in shaping the concept and guidance of our service.

The interviews revealed key insights into effectively supporting caregivers by structuring their interactions and resources. Key findings include:

01

Resource Mapping and Personalization

Caregivers require personalized consultations starting with a network map of the person with dementia, identifying helpers and gaps. This method customizes care to fit specific caregiver and recipient needs.

01

Resource Mapping and Personalization

Caregivers require personalized consultations starting with a network map of the person with dementia, identifying helpers and gaps. This method customizes care to fit specific caregiver and recipient needs.

02

Visual Tools for Clarity and Engagement

Using visual aids such as cards that outline resources and provide tips on the back has proven effective.

02

Visual Tools for Clarity and Engagement

Using visual aids such as cards that outline resources and provide tips on the back has proven effective.

03

Empowering Caregivers through Knowledge

Teaching caregivers to recognize and address their needs and providing them with the tools to manage care effectively are essential. This includes understanding when and how to seek help and ensuring they feel supported in their roles.

03

Empowering Caregivers through Knowledge

Teaching caregivers to recognize and address their needs and providing them with the tools to manage care effectively are essential. This includes understanding when and how to seek help and ensuring they feel supported in their roles.

Reshaping The Concept

From app for Meditation to app for Guidance

From app for Meditation to app for
Guidance through Alzheimer

Originally, when I entered the project, the goal of the service was the meditation application. Though, after the Primary research was done, we realised that caregivers (our users) would not use such application.

The research showed that caregivers lack guidance more than anything else. As Alzheimer is an always progressive desease, no one is ever prepared for the challenges that every stage holds.

How Might We…

Guide a caregiver through this journey?

How Might We…

Define the current stage and need of a caregiver in order to map it correctly and create the right suggestions?

How Might We…

Make the journey adapt to the personal situation of each caregiver?

March 2022

Develop

Reshaping The Concept

Interviews

Next, we conducted 8 confidential interviews with caregivers as requested by the interview partners. These interviews helped us validate our assumptions, and I subsequently drafted four personas based on criteria crucial for all caregiving situations.

＋ Quality of relationship (influences burden perception and help acceptance)

＋ Motivation for caregiving

＋ Relationship with the care recipient

＋ Proximity of the caregiver

＋ Dementia type

＋ Extent of care (duration and intensity)

＋ Stress exposure (influenced by the balance between stresses and resources)

＋ Stage at which the caregiver recognized their role

Develop Stage

Caregiver Persona

Nadine Cochina and the team designed and crafted the final You+Care app's final screens & UI's. My role in Service Development and Design is illustrated through the detailed process and wireframes showcased below.

Develop Stage

Caregiver Journey

Nadine Cochina and the team designed and crafted the final You+Care app's final screens & UI's. My role in Service Development and Design is illustrated through the detailed process and wireframes showcased below.

Develop Stage

Onboarding & Touchpoints

Nadine Cochina and the team designed and crafted the final You+Care app's final screens & UI's. My role in Service Development and Design is illustrated through the detailed process and wireframes showcased below.

June-October 2022

Deliver

Deliver

Develop Stage

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

Deliver Stage

High-fidelity Wireframes

These wireframes were developed after designing Caregiver Personas and Caregiver Journey. They reflect the service flow and main functions. The wireframes were designed by Nadine Cochina based on the brainstorming sessions and workshops we had together, defining the final flow.

Deliver Stage

Flow of the Guide

I was responsible for designing the service flow with the team, which was my final contribution to the project. Subsequently, the UI design and final implementation were handled by the rest of the team.

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