Life Alert, famous by “I have fallen and I can`t get up” wants to develop their current digital solution and create a better user experience for independent seniors and caring family members.
The current solution - is emergency response button that activates a communication and further actions between a call center and a senior in a case of emergency.
The Challenge
To strike a balance between safety and privacy of seniors, for a solution that is:
・accessible for seniors
・empowering seniors
・keeping senior safe, providing a piece of mind for caregivers
Key Insights
・Current design of Life alert button creates stigma of powerlessness and fear of falling among seniors
・There is a popular misconception that seniors are resistant to technology when the real issue is accessibility
・Caregivers influence purchase of Life Alert usually after the first fall happened and want to be updated about their wellness
The Solution
・We integrated key feature of the FitBit with the emergency button for seniors. We made sure that seniors can easily interact with the device, check their daily activity level, get reminders of missed medication.
・Mobile application for family members to monitor changes in activity and behavior before it leads to an emergency.
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis showed that Life Alert is nowhere near top medical emergency response companies. One of the crucial disadvantages is that Life Alert does not include automated fall detection for people with dementia, memory loss, or for those who become unconscious after the fall.
Research Insight
Emergency buttons like Life Alert are being considered by society as “Panic buttons”, their technological solution isn`t much better than it was 28 years ago when Life Alert first hit the market. Seniors often don`t have the buttons with them when an emergency occurs.
Field Interviews
(contextual analysis)
We visited senior day care center Circle of Friends to talk to seniors about their lifestyle and technology
Caregivers interview highlights
・Aging seniors can use technology but losing some physical ability that limits performance of specific functions over time
・Family members are worried about aging parents and want to be updated about wellness and health issues
・Usually, families influence purchase of medical support devices after the first fall was acquired
Personas grounded in research
Harriet`s emotional journey with current solution of Life Alert
1. I love living my independent life
2. I had a terrible fall, I couldn`t get up
3. My daughter was so worried
4. Susan made me get a Life Alert. I am so embarrassed
5. I am feeling better since my fall
6. My grandkids came over to help me with gardening
7. Someone in my bridge club noticed my button. I don`t need one
8. Maybe I need one but I wish it wasn't so big.
9. I fell again and pushed my Life Alert button
10. The woman on the phone was very kind and dispatched help fast.
11. My daughter was worried, but she was glad I got the help I needed
12. Thanks for the prompt assistance, I made a full recovery in time to see my grandkids in their play!
Research synthesis and direction
・Watch screen and the text has to be big enough, so displayed information is readable for seniors.
・For seniors, tapping is easier then swiping due to physical limitations.
・Caregivers did not like GPS location monitoring, they thought it will violate the privacy of seniors.
Solution. Wearable for a senior & mobile app for caregiver
Caregiver can see activity level of senior and will be notified of dramatic changes in behavior
Sensors can keep families and seniors updated of missed medication. They are optional and can be very helpful for seniors who have memory loss or Alzheimer. Sensors can also update families if a senior stopped eating or leaving the house during night time.