Project Overview
My Life Story allows people with Alzheimer's and dementia to record their life stories and memories. This can then be used as a tool for reminiscing, getting to know the person and to educate professional care givers about the person and their lives.
Organisation
Team
Gramercy Studios
Adnrew Henry- Director
Michael Trevatt- Design
Clement Wu - Developer
Project Brief
Today there are 36 million people living with dementia. This number is on the rise, expected to 120 million by 2050.
Families and are often at a loss as to how to help their loved ones, from the early stages of diagnosis to the possible need for 24 hour care.
Research has shown that the creation of life stories for people with dementia can improve their mood and well being, communication and also the quality of their relationships. When this happens, there is also a reduction in wandering and agitated behaviours.
The benefits are clear, though in the past, the process of creating a paper-based life story has been arduous and time consuming.
My Life Story solves this problem by making it quick and simple to create a beautiful Life story that engages the senses through the use of photos, music, voice recordings and text.
The process of creating the life story is therapeutic in itself and can be used to reminisce with the person during visits, making this time together more valuable.
Project Need
The area of dementia care has been largely ignored by the tech industry. There are many apps assisting people to keep their brain active and healthy, but incredibly few to assist people and their families who have already been diagnosed.
The new outcome this brings to the table is the acknoweldegment of people living with dementia and their need to be recognised and valued for the achievements of their life, despite dealing with a chronic brain condition.
I know of no other app, specifically designed for people with dementia to create life stories using the idea of reminiscing and sensory engagement using music and voice recording at the same time.
This is a massive growth sector and their will be a massive need for apps and technology to assist those already diagnosed to live more fulfilling lives.
User Experience
After the user downloads the app, it is incredibly clean and simple to use.
The first use experience (in each album) guides the person through the steps to create an album. This is important in engaging older people who are newer to technology.
The user is able to create a slide show of photos, music, voice and text.
Each step was designed with the user in mind- high contrast lettering, large fonts, simple, clear design all for maximum ease of use.
The slide to pause feature was developed in response to feedback that the person with dementia has difficulty with dexterity and may have difficulty not touching the screen. The "slide to pause" feature allows the slide show to continue despite the possible lack of dexterity from the end user.
The voice recording also entails a "volume indicator" to give a guide for users on the correct volume of speech to include a good quality voice recording for those who may have hearing impairment.
The album is easily changeable so that it can be adapted to suit the needs of the end user. As the disease progresses, the person may no longer be able to read, therefore it is easy to remove text or voice recordings at a later time. This way it stays relevant to the person, despite declining function.
Project Marketing
The marketting is done mainly through dementia service providers, care facilities, therapists and professional associations
Through social media, where people with alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are already engaging with technology.
Project Privacy
The album is not share-able and remain safe on the users own ipad.
In facilities, the albums are separated to individuals to comply with the confidentiality policies of the aged care providers.
Health
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