Bio Marker Tracker

Enhancing Communication for Dementia Care

Project Overview:
The Bio Marker Tracker project is a specialized digital solution developed to bridge communication gaps between remote caregivers and dementia patients. The app leverages wearable technology (Apple Watch) alongside AI-driven features to facilitate seamless and efficient interactions, ensuring essential tasks are completed while providing peace of mind to caregivers.

Challenge:
How can we optimize communication and task management between a remote caregiver and a dementia patient to improve care quality and ease the caregiving process?

Solution:
The Bio Marker Tracker employs a reminder application integrated with AI functionalities. The caregiver uses the app to set up reminders, which are then converted into patient-friendly formats. Notifications are sent to the patient via a smart device, where tasks are presented in multiple forms—text, image, and voice reminders—making them accessible and less overwhelming.

User Persona

User Journey:
The user journey outlines the interaction between Jack, the caregiver, and Nina, the patient. Jack initiates task reminders through the app, which Nina receives in a form she can easily understand and respond to. The app reduces Jack's stress by confirming that Nina has completed each task, fostering a smoother caregiver-patient dynamic

User Journey Map

Key Features:

  • AI-Driven Task Reminders: The app converts caregiver text inputs into visual and auditory reminders, increasing clarity for the patient and reducing reliance on text-based instructions alone.

  • Patient-Friendly Interface: With high-contrast colors, intuitive icons, and simplified interaction, the app ensures dementia patients can easily understand and respond to reminders.

  • Seamless Communication Flow: Patients confirm task completion by tapping their smartwatch, which notifies the caregiver instantly. They can also use emoji-based feedback to communicate their well-being.

  • Efficient Task Tracking: Caregivers can monitor task history and patient feedback through an easy-to-navigate interface, allowing for streamlined task management and reducing repetitive task input.

Impact:
The Bio Marker Tracker enhances caregiving for dementia patients by making task reminders accessible and non-intrusive, empowering caregivers to manage care efficiently. This innovative model of remote caregiving technology offers a dignified solution for dementia patients, maintaining their independence while ensuring caregiver oversight.

Story Boarding

Story Boarding:
This storyboard illustrates the supportive interaction between Jack, a caregiver, and his mother, who requires reminders for her medication. Jack, realizing it’s time for his mom’s medication, opens the app and sets a reminder in both visual and voice formats. His mother receives the notification on her smartwatch, sees the image, and hears the audio reminder, which prompts her to take the medicine. After completing the task, she confirms by tapping her watch, sending a "task done" notification to Jack, who feels reassured by her response. Later, they meet in person, both feeling satisfied with the app’s role in helping her maintain her routine while keeping them connected.


Design Elements:

  • Minimal Interactions: Simplified UI for dementia patients with minimal steps for task confirmation.

  • High-Contrast Color Palette: Ensures visibility and accessibility for patients with visual challenges.

  • AI-Powered Reminders: Converts text to images and voice prompts for better comprehension.

  • Feedback Mechanism: Allows caregivers to receive real-time updates and patients to express their comfort level.

Fall 2023
Teamworkers: Shima Daiani, Zoe Huffman, Celes Ngugen, Bach Nguyen