NASA astronauts are trained to live and work in the isolation of space, but the Earth population DO NOT! At least, NOT before the COVID! This situation affects the fragile population, primarily old and seniors, who are struggling with even more problems.
They usually socialize personally, but now they cannot go outside because the virus can be lethal for them. The depression and the degeneration of their cognitive behaviors and mobility are getting even worse.
How can we help isolated people to feel better and fulfill their needs?
We developed an application to establish a friendly channel, which acts as a bridge of dialogue between the target audience and volunteers, providing access to information, and stimulating healthy conversations in the virtual environment.
The platform is divided into two fronts - the solitary (user) and the solidary (volunteer). When registering, volunteers need to provide trivial identification and contact information, ensuring the safety and well-being of users on the platform.
The simplicity of the interface and the way in which the content is presented and communicated, in addition to the reviewed network of volunteers and the care with the accessibility of the tool to users with less technological affinity are the principles that lead the integration of efforts that allow the platform to effectively transmit its approach, helping to diagnose and minimize the impacts generated by isolation and social distancing.
For each new user, the application starts by presenting itself in a simple and unpretentious way - a one-button interface - which when pressed offers small gestures to help reducing loneliness, with the use of inspiring phrases, informative clippings, and videos about care mental health. After the user accesses these media, he can then proceed and ask for help from a support person. The volunteer will be able to collaborate by talking to this user or even helping him with daily tasks (e.g. medicare, grocery shopping, personal finance, etc.).
Project Backlog:
Functional Requirements
User front:
Volunteer front:
Tools Used:
Design:
Front-end (prototype):
Video recording:
Documentation:
Links:
Figma: https://www.figma.com/file/OlcIfn8d9RmG6SAaWjxYAT/Untitled?node-id=0%3A1
Journals:
AZEREDO, Z., AFONSO, M. Loneliness from the perspective of the elderly. Bras Geriatr. Gerontol. 131-324, RJ/Brazil. 2016.
HAMMERSCHMIDT, K. SANTANA, R. Health of the elderly in times of pandemic Covid-19. Cogitare enferm. 2020.
LUSTIG, T., COHEN, J. CILIO, K., POPE, A. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults (Highlights). National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine. 2020.
GRAN, R. Sattelites Track Status of Nation's Food Supply.National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 2019.
MARS, K. An Astronaut's Tips for Living in Space - Or Anywhere. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 2020.
ALFANO, C. Characterization of Psychological Risk, Overlap with Physical Health, and Associated Performance in Isolated, Confined, Extreme (ICE) Environments. Houston, TX. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 2020.
PAHO Brazil. Number of elderly people in need of long-term care will triple by 2050. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). 2018.