DESIGNED FOR ELDERLY
CARING-CUP
CARING-CUP
A full cup that comes in handy.
HEALTH & WELLNESS · SOLO PROJECT · 4 - WEEK
A health monitoring device designed for the elderly. Instead of conventional wearable forms, the caring-cup is decided to be incorporated into a daily device and allows other stakeholders to view users' health status.
RESEARCH
In the U.S., 27% of people over 60 years old live alone, and over 80% of them have at least one chronic condition. By living alone, an elderly increases their mortality risk by 8.6%.
We are in need of a product that can remotely monitor the health of the ones that we love, more specifically a caring system that allows us to keep up with the health status of our older family members while not interveneing their privacy.
TIPS FOR DESIGNING HEALTH DEVICE FOR ELDERLY
Through literature and customer research, we found that a health device for elderly would need different characteristics than a device for younger people.
1. A change in its wearable form
2. Accessibility for users with difficulties
3. The ability to alarm other stakeholders
4. Affordable in its price
above 60 yrs old
and live alone
at least one
chronic condition
mortality risk increased
by living alone
PERSONA
MICHELLE
74, California
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
illiterate
YANG
88, Shanghai
coronary heart disease
hearing Loss
reject health devices
GARRY
63, Maryland
Arthritis
minor Alzheimer’s
losing finger print
Detect health data
Remote monitoring
Incorporate in daily objects
Use audio and visual elements
Easy to use
Affordable in price
INSPIRATION
IDEA TRANSFORMATION
Initially, I envisioned a wearable health monitoring device for elderly. Through research, I discovered that elderly are not only challenged technically using a digital device, but also intentionally rejecting to wearing one. Hence, it inspired me to incorporate the device into a daily object, such as a water glass. This approach does not require users to put additional items on themselves, but still manage to detect their health status with a high frequency.
TASK SHIFT BETWEEN STAKEHOLDERS
From research, it is learned that even though elderly are in need of a health monitoring device, they are often challenged technically when using digital devices. Therefore, shifting the tasks to their family members would be a helpful solution.
EXPERTS' INSIGHT
I think the project looks promising! My suggestion would be connecting doctors and health providers into this system.
Professor Armine Lulejian is the senior director and clinical assistant professor at Keck School of Medicine of USC. I sceduled a zoom meeting with her and she generously shared her opinion as a professional healthcare worker.
What do you think about this ideation? Do you have any more suggestions?
How do users control the device?
Why choosing an daily object instead of a wearable?
From customer research, it is found that elderly not only forget about but also repel health related wearables.
Because most older citizens have vision problems, so a duo-way communication will be more efficient.
MARKET RESEARCH
Through market research, it is discovered that most current products are highly technological and premium. According to user interviews, however, it is learned that products that are less complicated and more affordable are preferred.
SKETCHES
• Minimalism design to cater the aesthetic of the
specific age group
• Alexa-backed audio assistance
• Screen bar to display key information
• A sturdy built that does not fall easily
• Weighted Handle for shaky hands
• Contact charging base
• Remote controlled
• No buttons involved on the cup for the ease to use
RENDERINGS
The cup is modeled with Maya and then 3D printed to testify the shape and scale. Core features are solidified and minor changes are made for better aesthetics.
NOTIFICATION LOGIC
This graph tells the logic behind the Caring - Cup and how notifications will be send after each use. Some functions are optional to better cater different users’ needs. For example, alerting users themselves can be turned off if that sets them anxious, which might exacerbate the condition. The option of sending notification with positive results to family can also be turned off, so they know the user is fine if they are not receiving an alert.
USER INTERACTION
ALERT
CONNECT
CALL
NORMAL
MOBILE APP
