HELPING SQUAD
OVERVIEW
Many seniors find it challenging to locate affordable and dependable help for their daily activities.
• Traditional caregiving services can be costly.
• Many seniors feel isolated and disconnected from their communities.
A compassionate solution that bridges this gap is long overdue.
Reinventing Elderly Care
We set out to develop Helping Squad, an innovative app to connect elderly individuals with volunteers eager to offer their time and assistance. The platform focuses on creating meaningful, community-driven relationships where seniors receive the help they need and volunteers find fulfillment in giving back.
As a UX researcher and designer, I led the development of Helping Squad, focusing on creating an intuitive, accessible, and engaging user experience. I conducted extensive research to understand the needs of both seniors and volunteers, ensuring the app design was empathetic and user-friendly. I explored a design approach focused on balancing simplicity and functionality, aiming to create an easy-to-navigate and user-friendly interface for people of all ages.
RESEARCH
User research was carried out to identify the challenges faced by seniors and volunteers. In the project's initial phase, I performed user research tasks, including Competitor Analysis and the creation of Personas.
Key insights:
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A significant increase in the elderly population puts pressure on existing care structures, emphasizing the need for volunteer-based models.
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As the industry grows, so does the financial burden on seniors and their families, making free or low-cost care services increasingly valuable.
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Implementing a free volunteer elderly care project fosters a sense of community and social support.
RESEARCH
Personas
After analyzing the compiled research, I developed three User Personas to represent the diverse customer segments:
1. Restless Rosalie
2. Independent Ian
3. Helpful Hank
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS COMPARISON CHART
Following the cross-comparison, I conducted a feature analysis using reviews. This allowed me to identify specific criteria for comparison across the apps, including:
• Does it have a free plan?
• Is it easy for seniors to use?
• Do the volunteers and the seniors have their background checked?
• Is there support available for both seniors and volunteers?
• Does the app provide seamless communication between both parties?
• Are the visits tracked and recorded for later perusal?
Key insights:
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Most apps were not designed with seniors as their target users.
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Many apps lacked a paid subscription option, resulting in lower support quality.
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Some apps were deficient in client management, failing to equip volunteers with sufficient information about the seniors, impacting the quality of care delivered.
MoSCoW ANALYSIS
Before diving into the design process, it was crucial to solidify the core functionalities that would bring Helping Squad to life. To achieve this, we conducted a MoSCoW (Must-Have, Should-Have, Could-Have, Won't Have) analysis. This prioritization exercise helped us identify the essential features for the initial launch and distinguish them from desirable functionalities that could be explored later.
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Must-Have
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User Profile (Senior and volunteer): Captures essential information and preferences.
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Background Checks: Provides security and builds trust and transparency.
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Secure Messaging System: Enables safe and efficient communication.
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Request for Assistance: Forms the core functionality of connecting needs with help.
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Volunteer Availability & Preference Search: Facilitates efficient matching.
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Emergency Alert Button & Notifications: Provides critical safety features.
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Data Privacy & Security Compliance: Aims to give individuals control over their data and protect it from unauthorized access, misuse, or exploitation.
Should Have
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Task Posting & Description: Allows detailed requests and clear expectations.
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Scheduling & Confirmation System: Streamlines task management and avoids confusion.
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Review & Rating System: Builds trust and accountability for both sides.
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Community Forum & Discussion Board: Fosters social connections and peer support.
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Accessibility Features for Seniors: Ensures inclusivity and ease of use.
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Real-time Communication & Progress Updates: This enables better coordination and peace of mind.
Could Have
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In-App Navigation & Route Sharing: Enhances convenience and safety for volunteers.
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Secure Payment Processing: Offers optional financial support for volunteers.
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Group Activities & Events: Strengthens community spirit and social interaction.
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Volunteer Training: Upskills volunteers and builds confidence.
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Matching Algorithm: Ensures compatible connections based on skills and needs.
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Help Center & Frequently Asked Questions: Provides readily accessible support.
Won't Have (This Time)
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Offline Functionality: Can be explored later for limited features depending on feasibility.
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Analytics & Reporting Dashboard: Valuable for future iterations but not crucial for initial launch.
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Multilingual Support: Broadens reach and accessibility.
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EXPLORATION SKETCHES
Our initial sketches explored core user flows for both seniors and volunteers within the Helping Squad app. We focused on key functionalities like creating user profiles, requesting assistance with clear task descriptions, and a matching system that connects volunteers based on availability and skills. These initial design ideas aimed to establish a user-friendly and intuitive foundation for the app.
Key Insights
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The app should focus on simplicity, incorporating large, clear icons.
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The design should prioritize clear communication and efficiently match needs and services.
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The app must be created with an intuitive user experience that minimizes confusion and facilitates straightforward service provision.
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SYSTEM SKETCHES
I explored the Helping Squad app, connecting seniors with volunteers through a user-friendly senior interface, a rewarding volunteer interface with task-sharing and challenges, and a feedback system for continuous improvement.
Three things I like about the sketches
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The senior interface has big buttons and fonts for easy readability.
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The interface is simple, with lots of white space, making it clean and organized.
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The features are simple and intuitive, so everyone can easily use them.
Three things you'd like to improve in future iterations
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Integrate voice recognition features to allow seniors to request tasks, search for information, and
control the app hands-free. -
Explore linking the app with smart home devices or wearable health trackers to offer seniors
additional assistance and personalized reminders. -
Offer the app in multiple languages to cater to diverse senior populations and accessibility needs.
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VOLUNTEER INTERFACE
Three things I like about the sketches
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The feedback videos build a deeper sense of connection and motivate continued service.
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The emergency information page provides vital details about seniors to assist volunteers in critical situations.
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A detailed skill inventory helps match volunteers with tasks that best utilize their abilities and interests, leading to a more satisfying experience for both parties.
Three things you'd like to improve in future iterations
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Showcase volunteer contributions beyond just completed tasks. Integrate charts or personalized metrics highlighting lives touched, positive outcomes achieved, and overall impact on the community.
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During onboarding, incorporate a personality quiz to understand volunteer preferences and communication styles.
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Enable volunteers to organize and lead community events or social gatherings for seniors within the app.
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TASK
COMPLETION
Three things I like about the sketches
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Feeling overwhelmed by a huge task can be demotivating. Sharing the load makes it
manageable and enjoyable. -
The task calendar helps volunteers stay organized, engaged, and motivated.
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Task challenges can be a fun and engaging way to approach tasks, offering several benefits
for volunteers.
Three things you'd like to improve in future iterations
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Establish partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, and community centers to offer a broader range of rewards, learning opportunities, and community impact projects.
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Develop more sophisticated feedback tools that include sentiment analysis to gauge the emotional tone of feedback from seniors and AI-driven insights to suggest specific areas of improvement for volunteers.
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Analyze volunteer feedback to tailor rewards and challenges more closely to individual motivations and interests.
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HOME SCREEN ELEMENTS & SKETCHES
During the icon exploration, various visual representations were considered to symbolize essential app functionalities, while the home screen exploration focused on designing an intuitive interface that seamlessly integrates key features, emphasizing accessibility and user engagement.
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NEXT STEPS
Following the exploration of icon and home screen designs, the next step involves moving to paper-prototype testing. This phase is where the ideas come to life in a tangible form, allowing for immediate feedback and insights into how real users interact with the design. Refining usability and ensuring the app truly resonates with its intended audience is pivotal before moving on to more detailed and higher-fidelity prototypes.
I conducted user testing sessions to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the Helping Squad app. This involved observing and collecting feedback from target users as they completed specific tasks within the app.
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Users downloaded the Helping Squad app and explored the sign-in options. The focus was on the ease of using the Facebook login.
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Users simulated an existing connection with a volunteer. They navigated to find the saved volunteer's profile
and check their availability for a specific date (doctor's appointment). -
Users practiced using the app to reserve a volunteer slot for future assistance. The task involved finding avolunteer with good reviews who was available for grocery shopping on the following day.
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CONCLUSION
As the project progresses, I want to collaborate with other UX experts. Their insights and experience could be invaluable in refining the app's design, ensuring it's functional and delightful. Working together, we can push the boundaries of what's possible, providing the app is intuitive and inclusive.
Developing a pitch deck for investors is on my radar. The idea isn't just to secure funding but to share the vision and potential of Helping Squad with those who can help scale its impact. A compelling pitch deck can open doors to resources, expertise, and networks crucial for the app's success.
While the allure of bringing this app to life is strong, I'm conscious of the scale and complexity involved in such an endeavor. I aim to start working on the whole design, backed by a team that shares the vision. Together, we can navigate the challenges of development, marketing, and community engagement to launch Helping Squad into the world. This isn't just about launching an app; it's about fostering a movement that empowers communities to support their most vulnerable members through innovation and compassion.