Interactive prototype

The Design process started by us asking ourselves, why would our target group use our application.
We wanted our application to simplify communications and scheduling and the value added in the user’s life should be the experience and fulfillment of their need. Our approach was to focus on this and make it as simple as we could no matter savviness or functionality. We want our users to experience the application as Fun, simple and motivating so they use it more.
We translated these abstract notions to more tangible point of usability.
Effectiveness– Does the application do what it should in terms of communications, scheduling and coordinating the various participants lives?
Efficiency – is it simple? Is it straight forward? Is the possibility for errors limited and is there minimal memory overload?
Satisfaction – at that it is simple enough that it fit into the user’s everyday life seamlessly.

To fulfill the above criteria we utilized Don Norman design principles and we also kept Jacob Nielsens Heuristic principles in mind. The application as you can see in our prototype mockups have a primary focus on the following points:

Visibility in the application – The user will always know where they are in the process with clear headers. When a button is pushed it will give a visual cue indicating that it has been pushed and thus the system is communicating with the user letting them know that the process has started.
User control – To reaffirm the users control there is always a “return” button when needed (as in any subpages). The footer menu has a home button, so the user always has two “emergency exits” (“return” and “Home”).
Consistency – All icons used (ex. “return”, “chat” etc.) are according to market standard to give a sense of familiarity. We try to strictly adhere to external consistencies to not break any established conventions so the application will be usable for anybody with any potential restrictions. The language used throughout the application is familiar and basic so that it is understood by the majority of the userbase. By using internal consistency, we try to promote Recognition rather than Recall minimizing the user’s memory load. 
Flexibility – There are accelerators throughout the application in the shape of the footer bar which gives the user quick access to certain functions.
Aesthetic – a minimalist design is used both for the aesthetic appeal and by only trying to communicate relevant information. No “Noise”.

While we feel that the application fulfills the purpose we had in mind, there are actual debate whether it is better than a physical calendar. What one needs to keep in mind though is that the application is not a digital calendar, it is a multifaceted tool for clearer paths of communication between the various parties.
A future enhancement of the application is that when it is going to be in use it will be customizable to each main Users capabilities and needs, and their individual action plan that has been agreed upon by their Relative and Assistant.