Favorite Faces App: Design and Review of a Mobile App Prototype to Help Improve FaceName Recognition for those with Early to Moderate Stage Dementia

Abstract

It is estimated that “the number of older Americans afflicted by Alzheimer disease and related dementias will triple to 13 million persons by 2050, thus greatly increasing healthcare needs” (Bharucha, Anand, Forlizzi, Dew, Reynolds, Stevens & Wactlar, 2009). As several studies show that forgetting names is what disturbs older people the most about memory loss, this research explores potential therapies for face-name recognition (Carroll, Bulletin, 27, & 2010, n.d.). This project is a prototype of a mobile application to help those diagnosed with early to moderate stage dementia improve face-name recognition. The prototype was developed using free online tools. Development of the mobile application incorporates Cooley’s theory of Human Centered Design as well as several Universal Principles of Design that are important considerations for the target audience of the elderly, diagnosed with dementia. This project explores the how and why the elderly need to be considered when designing mobile applications. This paper explores the methodology used to design the online prototype as well as the assessment of the prototype’s potential benefits and shortcomings. The prototype voice over demonstration can be viewed at http://www.screencast.com/t/gmiVsh2THh9. The prototype creation can be viewed at https://www.fluidui.com/editor/live/preview/p_xKznQ6uInTdTWhSlX8FcPQS35JUIBy7q.14193816310 57