From: Activity-Oriented Design of Health Pal: A Smart Phone for Elders' Healthcare Support
Hardships | Cases | Adhoc solutions | Expected solutions |
---|---|---|---|
Memory degeneration | Miss medicine doses Forget appointment schedules Take blood pressure readings irregularly | Use means of reminders: notes, calendar, medicine boxes, and so on. Get help from friend and family members | Scheduling aids Activity reminders |
Information shortage | Ignorant about personal ailment Lack of medicine, diet, or exercise information Unsure of appointment wait time | Acquire "knowledge" from television, newspapers, or word of mouths Attempt to contact doctors or nurses in hospitals Make adhoc decisions | Reliable on-line medical and lifestyle information Easy contact with healthcare professionals |
Information management | Forget doctor's advice Lose medical records | Use handwritten notes on notepads or notebooks | Personal data assistant Personal information manager and search engine |
Emergency care | Lack of on-time medical help Lack of personal medical history | Wear emergency and first-aid bracelets | Cell phone emergency call feature Cell phone medical history |
Health condition monitor | Unavailability of instruments Incapable of using instruments | Ignore symptoms Try to ask for help (if possible) Call for emergency service (expensive) | Handheld/Cell phone health monitors |