DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR UTI DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA - INSIGHTS FROM CAREGIVERS

Sep 29, 2026

Urinary tract infections are a major driver of hospitalization and emergency visits among people living with dementia, while caregivers often face difficulty recognizing early symptoms and obtaining timely guidance. This study prototypes “Goodbye UTI (GUTI),” a caregiver-focused digital solution for prevention and management. Using a four-step human-centered design framework, it conducts semi-structured interviews with 11 dementia caregivers (Dec 2023–Jun 2024) and applies inductive thematic coding with ATLAS.ti to derive requirements and context of use. Results inform a functional matrix of eight design considerations and Figma prototypes featuring symptom tracking, reminders, and education. Findings emphasize intuitive, personalized, actionable tools and support future iterative usability and real-world effectiveness testing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Human-centered design approach

Interview study and thematic analysis

Prototype features and design considerations

Implications and future work

758 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2575 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR UTI DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA: INSIGHTS FROM CAREGIVERS Kuan-Ching Wu1, and Oleg Zaslavsky2, 1. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 2. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a leading cause of hospitalization and emergency room visits among people living with dementia (PLWD) . Dementia caregivers often struggle to recognize early UTI symptoms and access timely guidance, increasing the risk of complications. This study aims to prototype Goodbye UTI (GUTI), a digital solution designed to support caregivers in UTI prevention and management. Following the framework of the four-steps human-centered design (HCD) approach, we identified key design considerations for GUTI. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 dementia caregivers (aged 42–82, M = 68.74, SD = 11.41) from December 2023 to June 2024 to explore their needs and preferences for UTI digital solutions. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic coding with ATLAS. ti to extract insights on user needs, requirements, and context of use. Caregivers reported challenges such as emotional strain, communication difficulties, limited knowledge, and the need for accessible health information. They emphasized the importance of a simple interface with symptom tracking, reminders, and educational resources. Based on these insights, we developed a functional matrix with eight core design considerations and created ten prototype screenshots in Figma demonstrating key features. Findings highlight the need for intuitive, personalized, and actionable digital tools for UTI management in dementia care. GUTI addresses these needs by prioritizing reminder, real-time guidance, and caregiver support. Future research should focus on iterative design in prototype testing and development, usability and the effectiveness of GUTI in real-world caregiving context.

FAQs

What problem does the study target for people living with dementia?

The study targets urinary tract infections as a leading cause of hospitalization and emergency room visits, alongside caregivers’ difficulty recognizing early UTI symptoms and finding timely guidance.

How was the prototype “Goodbye UTI (GUTI)” developed?

It was developed using a four-steps human-centered design framework, including semi-structured interviews and inductive thematic coding to identify needs and requirements.

What key features did caregivers emphasize for a UTI digital tool?

Caregivers highlighted the need for an accessible, simple interface with symptom tracking, reminders, and educational resources, supported by real-time guidance.

Sep 29, 2026

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