CARELINK
UI/UX · Product Manager · Thesis
CareLink is a digital platform that supports family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. It helps families stay connected, track emotional and medical updates, and access professional guidance — transforming caregiving from isolated stress to a shared, supported journey.
Family caregivers face scattered information, emotional fatigue, and difficulty coordinating remotely. Most health apps focus on data, not the human side of caregiving.
I began by designing a personal emotional journaling tool, assuming caregivers needed a space to process feelings.
But interviews revealed a deeper pain: the emotional exhaustion came not from isolation, but from repeated communication breakdowns within families.
Family caregivers face scattered information, emotional fatigue, and difficulty coordinating remotely. Most health apps focus on data, not the human side of caregiving.
I began by designing a personal emotional journaling tool, assuming caregivers needed a space to process feelings.
But interviews revealed a deeper pain: the emotional exhaustion came not from isolation, but from repeated communication breakdowns within families.
What I tried
A. A private diary to record stress and relief moments
B. A shared family feed for real-time updates
C. An emotion curve that visualizes shared mood and care patterns
A felt too private and unsustainable. B caused noise and overload.
C balanced visibility and calm — it allowed family members to see each other’s state without constant messaging.
The emotion curve offered an immediate overview of both emotional and practical rhythms.
It translated tension into patterns — something families could align around — and reduced repetitive explanations between members.
B. A shared family feed for real-time updates
C. An emotion curve that visualizes shared mood and care patterns
A felt too private and unsustainable. B caused noise and overload.
C balanced visibility and calm — it allowed family members to see each other’s state without constant messaging.
The emotion curve offered an immediate overview of both emotional and practical rhythms.
It translated tension into patterns — something families could align around — and reduced repetitive explanations between members.
The emotion curve offered an immediate overview of both emotional and practical rhythms.
It translated tension into patterns — something families could align around — and reduced repetitive explanations between members.
It translated tension into patterns — something families could align around — and reduced repetitive explanations between members.
The interface uses soft neutrals and humanistic typography to evoke calmness and credibility. Micro-motions emphasize reassurance, while rounded cards and generous spacing convey safety and breathing room.
Prototype testing showed strong emotional engagement and an improved sense of control among caregivers. This project taught me that design for care means designing for both function and feeling — structure for clarity, and softness for empathy.
Next steps
• Pilot testing with caregiver communities and local organizations
• Add audio journaling for accessibility
• Explore AI-assisted summarization of emotional patterns for self-reflection
• Pilot testing with caregiver communities and local organizations
• Add audio journaling for accessibility
• Explore AI-assisted summarization of emotional patterns for self-reflection