SJCare Connect
Context
This project was developed to improve the daily living experience for residents at St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre, a long-term care facility. The goal was to address challenges related to facility navigation, engagement in programs, and inclusivity, especially for residents with cognitive impairments. This project involves extensive user research, including interviews and observations with residents to deeply understand their needs.
Requirements
Tools Used
- Identify problems
- Identify possible solutions
- Create solutions
- Prototyping
- User Testing
Deliverable 1 - Identification
Goals
- Meet with clients (St. Joseph's) for an introduction
- Meet with residents for feedback on issues
- Compile potential issues
Events that occured
- We visited St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre
- We interviewed a few residents for any problems they encountered
- We analyzed problems that they encountered
- We noted down resources that could be utilized
Key issues identified
- Main corridor was too small
- Food menu was placed on the corridor
- Residents gather around menu causing a jam in the corridor
- Group activities are unavailable during lockdown events causing boredom
Deliverable 2 - Solution Space
Goals
- Pointing problems
- Identify possible solution spaces
- Meetings & interviews with St. Joseph's residents
- Journey maps
- Affinity maps
Events that occured
- We created interview questions with the goal of identifying gaps for improvements
- Answers were grouped into sub categories
- A solution for improvement was found
- The clients approved of our solution
Problem analysis results
- 3 groups to focus on: Autonomy & Freedom, Community, Well-Being
- Design opportunities were identified to enhance resident engagement and improve overall satisfaction within these focus areas.
Deliverable 3 - Prototype
Goals
- Create a user friendly platform/hub for residents
- Incorporate user feedback for design iterations
- Create wireframes, medium fidelity and high fidelity prototypes
Events that occured
- Low, medium and high fidelity prototypes were made on Figma
- User testing was done with residents using Figma's prototyping mode
- Usability testing was conducted as well ensuring responsiveness and user interactivity
- Final high fidelity prototype was created from all the feedback given by the users
Prototype testing results
- Users found the interface to be straightforward but requested drag-buttons and larger icons, also simplified navigation
- Virtual assistant was also well received as an accessible feature for users with limited mobility
- Improvements to schedule interface were well received
Deliverable 4 - Final
Goals
- Address any remaining design or functionality issues
- Gather final feedback from residents and staff at St. Josephs
- Present research, analysis & prototypes to judges, clients & sponsors
Events that occured
- Feedback from the high fidelity prototype was incorporated into the updated design of the final prototype (super high fidelity prototype)
- Voice assistant was shown to the users
- We presented our project to the judges, clients & sponsors
- We received a very positive feedback from the client
Solution Space
After receiving all the interview results from the residents, we mapped out what each of them said and grouped them in different categories. The results have shown us that activities, community and freedom were the most important ones. This solution space helped us form the solution of creating a hub and chatbot which improve their lives in St. Joseph's.
Affinity Diagram
We organized their feedback using an affinity diagram, categorizing the insights into various themes. The results revealed that autonomy, community engagement, and well-being were the most significant areas of concern for the residents. This structured approach helped us identify key pain points and opportunities, guiding us toward the solution of designing a personalized digital platform with features like activity scheduling and voice-activated assistance, aimed at enhancing the overall resident experience at St. Joseph's.
User Personas
We created 4 user personas that explain the diverse needs, goals and challenges of the residents at St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre. These personas, named The Independent, The Mastermind, The Builder and The Leader, provide a detailed understanding of the various levels of autonomy, community involvement and well being experienced by different residents. By mapping out their pain points and aspirations, these personas help us design tailored solutions that cater to each resident's specific lifestyle and preferences, ensuring that the proposed design addresses both individual and communal needs.
Persona 1: Independent
Persona 2: Leader
Persona 3: Builder
Persona 4: Mastermind
Wireframes
After all the analyzations, it was time to come up with a wireframe that translated the research insights into a simple, user friendly interface. The low-fidelity prototype focused on displaying key functionalities like accessing daily activities, checking the calendar and providing quick assistance through a virtual assistant or personal help. This design ensured clarity and ease of navigation, tailored to meet the needs of residents with varying levels of tech comfort and accessibility requirements.
Feedback
- "Voice Assistant" was confusing
- Today's Activities & What's happening now is too similar
Medium Fidelity Prototype
Feedback
- Calendar too difficult to read
- Buttons as inputs are not registering due to excessive shaking
High Fidelity Prototype
Feedback
- Two microphone icons are confusing
- Scroll bar isn't understandable, needed to be more direct
Conclusion
In conclusion, the project at St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre successfully bridged the gap between resident needs and technological solutions through a thoughtful user centered design approach. By conducting comprehensive user research, synthesizing insights into personas and translating those insights into practical wireframes, we developed a platform that enhances resident autonomy, community engagement and overall well being. The low-fidelity prototype provided a foundational step towards creating a user-friendly interface that supports daily activities and personalized assistance. Ultimately, this project not only improved the quality of life for the residents but also demonstrated the power of design in creating meaningful, positive change in healthcare environments.
