Unpaid family caregivers balance a lot.
Many experience emotional burnout, financial strain, and a lack of resources.
Cura is a mobile app that eases users into the responsibility of caregiving, by having easily accessible information on the patient’s condition.
Overview
Caregiving App Concept
Overview
UI/UX Design
UX Research
Team
Helen Nguyen
Helen Xie
Ariana Cao
Overview
Oct 2024 - Jan 2025
CONTEXT
A diagnosis, a fall, a sudden change.
Family caregiving often begins with a single moment. Overnight, routines fill with medications, appointments, and emotional support, leaving little time to breathe.
One in three Americans provides unpaid care, making family the backbone of America’s care system. Yet most navigate it with no guidance.
We set out to design a centralized, gentle system that helps them manage care without adding to the chaos.
jump to final design
IDEATE
Real caregiver voices, unfiltered.
These quotes come directly from Reddit’s r/CaregiverSupport community, capturing the raw exhaustion, grief, and resilience of family caregivers in their own words—without polish, without a script.
r/CareGiverSupport
You’re So Strong = You’re On Your Own
Caregivers are praised for their strength instead of receiving help, leaving them isolated and forced to manage responsibilities alone.
399
r/CareGiverSupport
Posted by
u/day1father
2mo ago
You’re So Strong = You’re On Your Own: A Caregiver Translation Guide
I was 11, riding two buses to dialysis with my mom. People would say wow youre so strong for your age.
...
Nobody said let me drive you. Nobody said I’ll watch her next Tuesday so you can be a kid. Nobody said you shouldn’t have to do this alone.
If you dont know how I do it ask me what I need. Ask how you can help.
…
Im doing this because I dont have a choice and you wont help.
Caregivers dont let you know. We’re too tired to figure out what we need, articulate it, and then ask someone who might say no.
If you want to help just show up. Bring food. Mow the lawn. Watch the person were caring for so we can sleep.
Dont make us ask.
399 comments
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No Off Switch
Even while sleeping, caregivers stay alert, waiting for emergencies, sacrificing personal time and rest.
[deleted]
3y ago
Wake up: have no time for myself all day. ...
Go to bed with the phone at cancer proximity distance in case I get the death call at night
13
Reply
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**********
Pent up frustration from burnout and constant pressure.
434
•
r/CareGiverSupport
Posted by
u/KellieJean123
5mo ago
Need to scream into the void
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.
143 comments
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Insight: Show up!
These quotes reveal that caregivers are too exhausted to identify and request help. Solutions should proactively provide tangible support: meals, chores, rest. Remove the burden of asking.
Our Research Approach
What are the biggest challenges that informal caregivers face when managing day-to-day responsibilities?
We used three key sources to understand caregiver pain points:
Online Videos
Watched “day in the life” content to understand caregiving routines and stressors
Health App Reviews
Evaluated MyChart for UX issues based on our own use and public feedback
Mentor Feedback
Judges and mentors shared perspectives on user needs and design direction
We found these insights...
Caregiving is physically and emotionally overwhelming
“I barely have time to eat between meds, appointments, and paperwork.”
Many caregivers are untrained and feel alone
“No one tells you how to be a caregiver. You just do it.”
Interfaces are cluttered and medical jargon is confusing
“I just want to see my mom’s prescriptions, not scroll through five tabs.”
Focus on caregiver mental health & community
“Most apps center patients. What if you centered the caregiver?”
Emphasis on centralization and ease of use
“A clean dashboard and calm design would make a huge difference.”
DEFINE
Caregiving responsibilities are difficult, stressful, and chaotic. Caregivers are often untrained, isolated, and unsupported.
Existing tools are patient-centric and hard to navigate. Caregivers need something intuitive, centralized, and built for them.
IDEATE
We got inspired by...
MyChart, but fixing its cluttered interface
Baymax from Big Hero 6 – a soft, warm personality
Our own stress using healthcare platforms
DESIGN
Low-Fidelity Concepts
We explored simplified dashboards, onboarding flows, and customizable care plans.
Sketches included:
Emergency checklists
Medication schedule
Daily caregiving journal
“Cura Community” support forum
Welcome!
Login
Sign up
Input caregiver information
Experience/Background
Birthdate
Connection to Patient
Last Name
First Name
Continue
Birthdate
Last Name
Input patient information
First Name
Medications
Conditions
Import MyChart
Clinic
Medical Provider
Primary Care Provider
Address
Phone Number
Continue
Good Morning, Joe
Overview
Today’s schedule
Medication
reminders
Assistance
Call
January
12pm
1 pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
+
Call
January
12pm
1 pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
Medical Visit
Medication Visit
Medication Reminder
Medical Visit
Sat, Jan 25, 2025
Sat, Jan 25, 2025
11:30 AM
1:00 PM
save
Appointment Location
Appt/Available Times:
Primary Doctor/Care Provider
Concerns? Questions?
What are you coming in for?
Create a new medication reminder
Choose which medication you’re logging
Time to take it
Sat, Jan 25, 2025
Sat, Jan 25, 2025
11:30 AM
1:00 PM
Does not repeat
save
+ Add new
Acetaminophen 500 mg
Medication
Diet Plan
Activities/exercise
Title????
Test results
summary visit
Activities
Highlights
Daily Activity
Get More From CareBear
Hydration
Afternoon Nap
Try light stretching
Breathing Exercises
Test Results
Updates
New test results came through
Get a test now
Contact hospital nearby
Blood sugar level results are now added to the list
Cardiogram aVL
Watch
Watch
Summary Visit
Updates
Appointment Recap
See notes from the most recent visit with doctors or specialists
See notes
See notes
See notes
Dr. Dev Patel
Dr. Dev Patel
Dr. Dev Patel
Cardiologist
Cardiologist
Cardiologist
20 Dec 2024
20 Dec 2024
20 Dec 2024
Messages
New Message
Name
Messages
Here’s what you’re taking
Here’s what you’re taking
Medications
Sertraline 100 mg
learn more
Acetaminophen 100 mg
Request refill
Remove
Take 1 tablet (100 mg) by mouth daily.
Additional Information
Diet
Here’s what you’re eating
Monday Meal Plan
Recommended Foods
Breakfast:
Snacks/Leftovers:
Lunch:
Dinner:
Not Feeling Hungry?
Be alert for danger/emergencies
How to avoid/prepare: read more...
Here’s some possible causes:
How you can help:
Foods to Avoid
Baymax chatbox
Community outreach
Resources
Baymax chatbox
Resources
Ca
Community outreach
Account settings
Patient Information
Caregiver Information
DESIGN
Iterations
Based on feedback, we...
Streamlined navigation with bottom tabs
Added onboarding walkthrough for first-time users
Simplified terminology (e.g., "Care Plan" vs "Medical Routine")
Added emergency shortcut button on home screen
DESIGN
User Testing
tester
key insights
hackathon mentors
Loved community focus, suggested better onboarding
judges
Encouraged simplification of terminology and stronger hierarchy
peers
Noted appreciation for the soothing interface and mental health inclusion
FINAL DESIGN
Introducing, Cura
My Care Plan
Visual, editable plans for daily caregiving tasks
Good morning, Joe!
Breath the fresh air and review your schedule on Saturday
Today’s Schedule
Morning Walk
9:15 - 9:45
Medical Appointment
10:00 - 10:50
Medication Reminders
Take 1 tablet (40 mg) by mouth daily.
Simvastatin
Medication, Dosage
11:30
Log Symptoms
Log Symptoms
Monday
Breakfast
Hard-boiled egg, toast, sausage
Lunch
BLT sandwich, chicken Caesar salad
Dinner
Roast chicken, blanched vegetables, mashed potatoes
Snack
Orange, low-sodium chips
9:41
Daily Medications
9:41
Medications
Simvastatin
Acetaminophen
40 mg
500 mg
1 tablet max
2 tablet max
Additional information
Additional information
Request refill
Request refill
Remove medications
Remove medications
Daily Meal Plan
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Breakfast
Hard-boiled egg, toast, sausage
Lunch
[Placeholder]
Dinner
[Placeholder]
Snack
Orange, low-sodium chips
Meal Plan
9:41
72º
Partly Cloudy
H:88º L:64º
78
50
67
8:29
PM
Mon 10 NYC 12:41 AM
+6 from Reminders, Notes, and Mail
Appointment
Reminder for
Reminder to take Acetaminophen
9:41 AM
Take one (1) 200 mg pill every morning.
My Care Plan
Visual, editable plans for daily caregiving tasks
Good morning, Joe!
Breath the fresh air and review your schedule on Saturday
Today’s Schedule
Morning Walk
9:15 - 9:45
Medical Appointment
10:00 - 10:50
Medication Reminders
Take 1 tablet (40 mg) by mouth daily.
Simvastatin
Medication, Dosage
11:30
Log Symptoms
Log Symptoms
Monday
Breakfast
Hard-boiled egg, toast, sausage
Lunch
BLT sandwich, chicken Caesar salad
Dinner
Roast chicken, blanched vegetables, mashed potatoes
Snack
Orange, low-sodium chips
9:41
Daily Medications
9:41
Medications
Simvastatin
Acetaminophen
40 mg
500 mg
1 tablet max
2 tablet max
Additional information
Additional information
Request refill
Request refill
Remove medications
Remove medications
Daily Meal Plan
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Saturday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Breakfast
Hard-boiled egg, toast, sausage
Lunch
[Placeholder]
Dinner
[Placeholder]
Snack
Orange, low-sodium chips
Meal Plan
9:41
72º
Partly Cloudy
H:88º L:64º
78
50
67
8:29
PM
Mon 10 NYC 12:41 AM
+6 from Reminders, Notes, and Mail
Appointment
Reminder for
Reminder to take Acetaminophen
9:41 AM
Take one (1) 200 mg pill every morning.