by deb mccabe
4 December 2022
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/f4baba8b-8e53-448d-8cb1-7e6ef44a4031/quote.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/f4baba8b-8e53-448d-8cb1-7e6ef44a4031/quote.png" width="40px" /> “I like to say that there are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” —Rosalyn Carter
</aside>
SharingCare is an app for caregivers. It keeps all caregiving information in one place to facilitate giving the primary caregiver a break by sharing the care with a secondary/temporary caregiver who has all the essential information at their fingertips.
Stakeholders will be an important audience for this app as well. Primary stakeholders will include hospice agencies and other healthcare providers. Within those agencies, sales and marketing teams and social workers, for example, will find the app a valuable tool for both marketing the agency and helping the caregivers in their care.
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/87aee4a6-8b44-4920-8772-b989309c7e46/quote.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/87aee4a6-8b44-4920-8772-b989309c7e46/quote.png" width="40px" /> **“The agency sees caregivers as an equal part of the team.”
</aside>
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/f5164600-380d-4a07-ac11-aeb5b30b8bb0/quote.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/f5164600-380d-4a07-ac11-aeb5b30b8bb0/quote.png" width="40px" /> **“Our demographic of women in their 50s would love it.”
</aside>
My understanding of the problem shifted as I completed six initial caregiver interviews. My initial problem statement revolved around out-of-town family members being included in the caregiving journey. My user scenario showcased this possible problem.
After my interviews, I realised a few important things about caregivers and caregiving.
Caregivers need support, particularly when it comes to respite care and medication dosing and logging. Caregivers are reluctant to hand over care, even temporarily for respite, as they feel that the knowledge that they hold is not easily transferrable to another carer.
<aside> 💡 Respite: Respite is taking a break from your caring responsibilities. Taking time out can help you feel rested and re-energised.
</aside>
