The Karuna App
PGDP Final Project
Semester II, March 2024
“Empowering Aging: Innovative Technology Solutions for Elderly Care and Monitoring”
Project Overview
The Karuna app is a dual-purpose platform tailored to meet the needs of elderly individuals and their caregivers. It offers key functions such as Medical History, Reminders, Medicine Purchases, Transportation, Mental Health Support, and Emergency Assistance. With two distinct versions—one for caregivers with comprehensive monitoring and another simplified version for elderly users—the app ensures ease of use while maintaining robust functionality.
Purpose & Impact
As populations age globally, the need for technology that supports elderly independence and well-being has never been more pressing. Karuna addresses this challenge by bridging the digital divide, helping combat social isolation, and providing essential services in a user-friendly format. This app empowers elderly users while offering caregivers peace of mind, creating a meaningful impact on elderly care.
Research & Approach
To inform the design, I engaged in field research by visiting elderly care homes and interacting with elderly family members. These interactions provided invaluable insights into user behavior, preferences, and challenges. Through this hands-on research, I developed a dual-interface approach that caters to both caregivers and elderly users, ensuring that the app meets their specific needs effectively.
Process Map
Prototype
The Karuna app features a dual approach: a caregiver version with functions like Medical History, Reminders, and Emergency Assistance for monitoring elderly users, and a simplified elderly version with an activity update screen and an emergency interface. This design ensures caregivers are informed while keeping the app user-friendly for elderly individuals.
