voice-assisted technology system
The Solution for Real Time Spatial Monitoring for Senior
Name
Caree
Duration
36 hours
Tools
Figma, Recraft.ai, Google Slides;
Team
1 UX designer, 1 biology specialist, 1 biology PhD candidate, 1 business specialist, 1 nurse;
Caree is a voice-assisted technology system designed to revolutionize home care for elderly individuals living independently. It tackles the growing challenge of balancing senior independence with the need for remote monitoring and support, especially for those with cognitive or visual impairments.
Background
Ageing is the main risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD). Tissues composed primarily of postmitotic cells, such as the brain, are especially sensitive to the effects of ageing. Prevalence of AD, which doubles every 5 years after age 65, also is expected to increase from the current statistic of 33% of seniors dying from AD. By 2050, it is anticipated that this number will have quadrupled due to the high ageing population that will create a significant load on healthcare systems.
In this MIT GrandHack 2024 aging track that we participated, we focused on how might we address the growing care and support needs of an aging population, and design services, devices, and solutions centered around the needs of the elderly and improve their quality of life.
My Contribution
Designed the software with user interviews showed that 70% of respondents felt Caree significantly improved their quality of life.
Based on insights from 20 senior users, ensured an intuitive interface that allowed efficient task completion. User satisfaction scores improved by 20%.
Participated in the design and ensured that the wearable device was user-friendly and seamlessly integrated with the software.
My grandmother has Alzheimer’s, and my family and I are responsible for providing her care. However, we all have our own essential duties such as work and schooling that prevent constant monitoring of her activity
— our interviewee
Caree wants to provide services for both care receivers like senior people and caregivers from a certain organization. The problems they have are quite different.
For care receivers:
Pain Point 1
Loss of Independence
Difficulty managing daily tasks due to cognitive or visual impairments can lead to a loss of independence and a sense of helplessness.
Pain Point 2
Safety Concerns
Living alone can raise safety concerns, especially for those with increased risk of falls or needing assistance with medication adherence.
Pain Point 3
Isolation and Loneliness
Limited social interaction can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
For caregivers:
Pain Point 1
Monitoring Challenges
Difficulties with constant monitoring due to work, family commitments, or geographical distance.
Pain Point 2
Anxiety and Stress
Worrying about the well-being of their loved ones can cause anxiety and stress for caregivers.
Pain Point 3
Limited Information
Lack of real-time data on activity levels and potential health issues can make it difficult to provide appropriate support.
Caree aims to solve the challenge of maintaining a safe and independent living environment for homebound seniors while alleviating the burden and anxiety of caregivers who are unable to provide constant supervision.
Research
Target Demographic Needs
People with Alzheimer's Disease needing 24-hour assistance (7 million).
Independents requiring occasional visits from loved ones (16 million).
All elderly individuals experiencing loneliness (62 million).
Research
Potential Market
The US elder care product market was valued at USD 455 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%.
The document suggests that capturing even 0.1% of this market could translate to a revenue of USD 455 million.
Research
Increasing Demand
22.3% of adults in the US are unpaid family caregivers.
A projected decrease in potential family caregivers per older adult by 2030.
Software Design (An APP for Caregivers)
Due to the short timeline as a two-day hackathon, I applied Apple Design Resources and took some of the existing components to quickly establish the overall interface of Caree. The reason for using Apple’s design system is also for a seamless transition for users within the same operating system. A different components will be applied for different operating systems as well.
While Caree software targets caregivers for real time senior monitoring by offering spatially sensitive prompting. The hardware for senior care receivers will be a wristband. It can receive and send notifications, instructions, and even medical alert that can facilitate independent task accomplishment and provide caregivers with feedback on task fulfillment and daily activity trend data.
AI Assistance
This is the first time for us to try using AI tool to create a certain product demo. We kept the design clean and simple without complicated functions. When a caregiver creates a prompt, like “take the pill”, for the senior to accomplish, caregiver can record their voice as instruction. When senior enters the correct room, the band’s sensor can detect the action and certain feedback will be triggered.
As the senior finish the prompt, they can press the green button to inform their accomplishment, while a red button can be an emergency medical alert.
The senior care industry is booming, with a massive Total Addressable Market (TAM) of USD 455 billion and a healthy compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. This growth is driven by the increasing global population of seniors. Within this industry, senior care technology represents a substantial opportunity.
The Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM) for senior care technology is USD 43.38 billion, and by capturing just 1% of this market, a company could reach a Service Obtainable Market (SOM) valued at USD 433 million. This highlights the significant potential for senior care technology solutions.
Business Model
Subscription-based Revenue:
Caree's subscription-based model ensures recurring revenue streams from both institutional customers and individual caregivers, providing sustained income for ongoing product development and support.
Business Model
Hardware Sales for Accessibility
By selling essential hardware devices alongside its software platform, Caree ensures accessibility for users who require physical aids for navigation and communication, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of its solution.
Business Model
Partnerships for Growth
Collaborations with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and technology partners offer avenues for market expansion and value-added services, positioning Caree as a holistic solution provider in the elder care industry.
B2C + B2B (Caregivers + Assisted Living Facilities)
The B2B channels direct sales to those facilities that can showcase the benefits of the technology for both residents and staff. While B2C channels partner with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies that can subsidize the cost of the technology for their patients, increasing affordability and adoption.
Competitive Advantage
Offer competitive subscription pricing to undercut competitors, making the technology accessible to a wider range of facilities.
Value Proposition
Monitoring Data Utility: Generate insights from monitoring data to help caregivers assess health issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Examples include:
Pacing, elopement, and wandering
Inactivity and overactivity
Toileting frequency and duration
Privacy-Focused Design: Minimize lifestyle intrusion through non-invasive wearables, addressing privacy concerns for residents and families.
Addresses Needs of Diverse Users: cater to visually and cognitively impaired seniors through features that can be tailored to their specific needs.
Additional Considerations
Pilot Programs: Implement pilot programs with a select group of memory care/assisted living facilities to gather feedback and refine the technology before wider rollout.
Data Security: Ensure robust data security measures are in place to protect resident privacy and comply with healthcare regulations (HIPAA).
Customer Support: Provide ongoing customer support to facilities and caregivers to ensure successful implementation and address any technical issues.