My Role:
UX Researcher, Content Strategist, UX/UI Designer
Client:
3M
Challenge:
Create a multi-touchpoint experience for 3M's
healthcare sector that helps elderly individuals age in place.
Solution:
Using existing 3M products, our team designed an interconnected system of technologies that help our user group continue to successfully live independently so they can comfortably age in their homes longer.
Users:
Individuals 65 and older who want to continue living in their homes as long as possible
Caregivers who want to help their family members successfully age in place
Methods & Tools
Pen and Paper
Sketch
Keynote
Quicktime
Axure
InDesign
Deep Dive
Lean UX
Storyboarding
Interactive Touchpoint Map
Prototyping
Implementation Plan
Deep Dive
To get started, each member of my team conducted extensive research into one area of our problem space. I researched the current state of technology and its use by those 65 and older. I wanted to learn three things;
1. What kinds of technologies are helping the elderly stay independent?
2. What technology is the elderly open to using?
3. Recent data and statistics about the technology currently being used to help aging individuals stay in their homes.
The findings from my research are below.
Debrief & Synthesis
After conducting our deep dives, my team and I put all of our research together in order to create our Strategy Statement, which would guide our project.
Deep Dive Research
Guiding Strategy Statement
“All user experience touchpoints for 3M Age in Place system will help caregivers providing care to 60-80 year old aging individuals with early signs of dementia and/or general declining health to feel reassured & engaged so that they are able to help them age in place. We will do this by focusing on communication and reinforcing well-being while maintaining independence.”
Connected Experience Map
Next, my team and I created a connected experience map to document our ideas and make sure all touch-points interacted with one another, in order to ensure a complete and interactive ecosystem.
My team came up with (5) touch-points to meet our goals.
Smart Picture (Emily): A digital picture frame that lets family upload photos and messages to stay connected; Smart Picture interacts with all other touch-points. It is the center point for all preference settings for all other prototypes.
SmartCare Sensor(Myself): A wearable that uses an accelerometer to detect falls, and a GPS sensor to interact with the Smart Fridge and Smart Entry.
Smart Fridge(Andy): The smart fridge sends a message to the user via the Smart Frame or SmartCare Sensor letting them know they should eat, or should stay hydrated.
Seat Buddy(Zach): The seat buddy is a cushioned pad, fit with sensors, that interact with the Smart Picture and let the user know when they should get up and walk around to prevent hot spots, or sores.
Smart Entry(Amanda): The Smart Entry controls access of who is let into the aging individuals home, and interacts with the wearable device to let approved caregivers in the house in the event of a fall.
Below is a visual depiction of how each of our products interacts with one another.
Connected Experience Map
Prototyping
The touchpoint prototype I was responsible for SmartSensor; a fall detection wearable, utilizing 3M sensor technology and engineered plastics. I created a wearable that had an accelerometer to detect falls, and a GPS to interact with the SmartFridge and SmartEntry. Below is an image of my prototype, and a map showing how it interacts with the other touch-points.
Presenting our Touchpoint Experience
My team and I presented our work to 3M stakeholders. We started with our guiding strategy statement, and described how each prototype was part of a connected, and interactive ecosystem that aimed to help aging individuals live in their homes longer with the help of 3M products and technology.
Implementation Plan
Lastly, I designed an implementation plan for 3M, that would give them insight on how and when to implement each step of the Age In Place Care System. To support the implementation plan is a HEART framework that shows how to measure if the product is reaching its goals.
