Case Study — In Progress
Anchor — A caregiver dashboard designed with cognitive accessibility at its core, for the families navigating the hardest systems of all.
Type
Product Design
Focus
Healthcare UX
Users
Family Caregivers
Status
In Development
OVERVIEWCaregiving is full-time work. The tools aren't built for it.
Family caregivers, whether supporting aging parents, a spouse, or a loved one with complex needs, face an overwhelming burden of administrative tasks that fragments their attention and compounds emotional stress.
Anchor is a caregiver dashboard currently in development, designed to reduce that burden. The core experience aims to simplify medications, appointments, and communication for all caregivers. A dedicated Communication Board feature will address the specific needs of neurodivergent users, demonstrating how inclusive design principles can create a calmer, more supportive experience for everyone.
This project is rooted in personal experience. As a caregiver myself, I navigated these systems firsthand. Anchor is my attempt to design something better from the inside out.
THE CHALLENGEThe system wasn't built for the people using it.
Caregivers don't get to clock out. Between managing medications, tracking appointments, coordinating with providers, and communicating with loved ones who may not be able to express their needs verbally — the cognitive load is relentless. And the tools that exist were designed for clinical settings, not for a family member sitting in a hospital waiting room at midnight trying to remember if a dose was given.
The challenge driving this project isn't just functional. It's emotional. Good design here doesn't just reduce friction, it reduces fear.
CORE FEATURES
Designing for the moments that matter most.
Before designing a single screen, I identified the core problem: without a shared visual language, every new product launch, campaign, or market expansion would require starting from zero. I built the design system first so that everything that came after could be built faster, more consistently, and with less rework.
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The dashboard home is being designed to surface today's medications, upcoming appointments, and quick access to the Communication Board, giving caregivers what they need at a glance without adding to their cognitive load.
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The medication flow will include dosage, schedule, refill status, and a clear "Log Taken" confirmation, addressing the specific anxiety of not knowing whether a dose was given.
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The Communication Board will feature large icon buttons for common needs (Hungry, Thirsty, Pain, Bathroom, Help, Tired) designed for neurodivergent users and their caregivers, built on the principle that what helps one person helps everyone.
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Every component is being built to work across abilities and contexts, because a tool designed for the most complex caregiving situations should be navigable by anyone, under any amount of stress.
WHAT’S COMING
Full case study coming soon.
The complete process, research, wireframes, design system, prototype, and outcomes, is currently in development. Check back shortly or reach out directly.