Alexia is a retired woman in her 60s, who is caring for her husband who has been quadriplegic for more than 20 years for 30h / week. They live together in their adapted home. Her husband uses a motorized wheelchair and transfers to the lift in all circumstances. There is little residual movement in his upper limbs.
Needs | Current Approaches | Alternate Suggestions | What could be created? |
1. Alexia would like a feeder that is small, practical and less stigmatizing. | Alexia’s husband’s current feeder is mechanically activated using his upper limbs. | ||
2. Alexia would like a reliable system to allow her husband to empty his urine bag. | Her husband uses a urinary valve that sometimes malfunctions, which causes complications. | ||
3. Alexia would like taking care of her husband’s hygiene to be easier. | Alexia uses a wheeled lift and a raised bath. | ||
4. Alexia would like helping her husband to get dressed to be easier. | Alexia uses a lift to position her husband. |
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5. Alexia would like the management of the medical complications associated with quadriplegia to be easier to deal with so that she can leave her husband with paid caregivers. | Alexia limits her outings because she does not think anyone else can manage her husband’s requirements. | ||
6. Alexia would like a system to find out whether paid caregivers will show up for work or not. | When they do not show up, Alexia must take care of her husband. | ||
7. Alexia would like a better lift platform to go up and down the stairs. | They have a platform, but the battery discharges between uses. | ||
8. Alexia would like to be able to easily fly with her husband. | Electric wheelchairs are currently not allowed on planes. Her husband is transported by airport staff. | ||
9. Alexia would like a travel lift (smaller and lighter). |