Mockup 1
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Prototype

Chapters: Dignified Palliative Care

What it does

Chapters is an electronic reminiscence therapy frame designed to provide value-added care to aging patients with severe debilitative ailments such as dementia and Parkinson’s. By easing the frustrations of aging, it has a multi-faceted goal:

Slowing down the deterioration of dementia through memory recall.
Providing an outlet and inlet for sustained social interactions despite mobility barriers.
Uplifting the palliative care environment with sensory comfort and dignity.

Core features include:

Memories Screen: looping montages of photos and videos for autobiographical recollection.
Voice Messaging: audio messages and visitation reminders from family and friends.
Aromatherapy Module: modular reed diffusers with familiar scents to calm agitation and encourage engagement.

How we built it

We began with the concept of reminiscence therapy, then translated it into a modular, tangible device. Due to time constraints, we prototyped the experience using an iPad as the display frame, combined with pre-recorded audio messages and a physical slot for reed diffusers. This allowed us to quickly simulate the core patient experience while keeping the design hackathon-ready.

Challenges we ran into

Time limitations: Building a fully customized electronic frame with integrated sensors was not feasible within the hackathon timeframe, so we used existing hardware to demonstrate functionality.
Balancing simplicity with features: Elderly patients require extremely intuitive interfaces. Designing a solution that is both user-friendly and feature-rich required trade-offs.
Hardware constraints: Aromatherapy modules and modular diffusers required creative prototyping with limited materials.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Creating a working proof-of-concept that demonstrates the therapeutic potential of reminiscence therapy beyond medication.
Designing an interface that is accessible, calming, and dignified for patients while being intuitive for caregivers.
Building a solution that goes beyond individual features: integrating photo montages, voice messaging, and aromatherapy into one cohesive care device.

What we learned

Technology for elderly care must prioritize empathy over complexity: the smallest features, like an audio reminder or familiar scent, can significantly uplift mood.
Non-pharmacological interventions are powerful: therapies like reminiscence and aromatherapy are increasingly recognized as first-line approaches in dementia care.
Prototyping with constraints sparks creativity: using an iPad and reed diffusers forced us to focus on the experience rather than the perfect hardware.

What's next for Chapters: Dignified Palliative Care

We strongly believe that Chapters has much room for improvement and growth. Potential next steps include:

Integrating AI-powered personalization, e.g. automatically curating photo montages or music playlists based on the patient’s history.
Adding motion or voice activation so patients can interact hands-free.
Building a dedicated hardware frame with modular slots for aromatherapy cartridges, optimized speakers, and a caregiver control app.
Partnering with healthcare institutions and caregivers to test real-world impact in palliative care and dementia support settings.

Ultimately, we envision Chapters as more than a device: a companion for dignified aging that helps patients relive their stories, connect with loved ones, and leave this world with comfort and dignity.