Double apps for SICOR Asiste
B2C
Accesibility
App
Overview
El Corte Inglés launched a new business line to support elderly people living alone, as well as individuals with chronic illnesses or dependency. The project consisted of two sister apps with the sole purpose of complementing the physical SOS emergency devices, which, when activated, sent a signal to emergency services. Both apps functioned as geolocation and SOS tools for elderly users, each offering different features.
The users
On one hand, elderly individuals in vulnerable situations, whether due to dependency, illness, or simply living alone.
On the other, their family members who subscribed to the service. They receive alerts in case of emergencies and could remotely monitor their loved ones.
My role
As the only UX/UI specialist in the company, I took on the role of Design Lead, collaborating closely with a small team of four developers and the project manager.
Key highlights of this project
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Two different users, two apps
The business team determined that developing two sister apps was key to providing a complete telecare service.
This positioned SICOR Asiste in the market as the only teleassistance solution in Spain that offers support to both vulnerable users and their families.
The approach would also help the brand’s image to be perceived as a caring and family-oriented service, committed to helping both users and their loved ones.
Double users, double research
The research process was divided into two branches: one focused on elderly users and the other on their family members. Each group had unique needs, goals, and concerns, all revolving around the same core theme: taking action in critical moments
Key findings for elders
Fear of being alone in an emergency
They needed an easy way to call for help in emergencies, such as falls or sudden health issues.
Difficulty using technology
The app had to be intuitive and accessible, even for those unfamiliar with smartphones.
Limited access to healthcare
Remote medical consultations were essential to avoid unnecessary trips to health centers.
Key findings for relatives
Lack of real-time information
They needed instant updates on their relative’s health status.
Uncertainty in emergencies
Quick emergency alerts would help them respond effectively.
Emotional burden and guilt
A system that provided reassurance and peace of mind was crucial to ease their concerns.
Senior users wanted to feel safe during emergencies, while the relatives needed real-time access to their loved one's status. This required both apps to work together, sharing data for emergency support, health monitoring, and location tracking.
Dual App Functionalities
Elderly App
We developed features closely aligned with the various services provided by SICOR Asiste, aiming to ensure elderly users felt safe, supported, and in control of their daily routines.
This feature was designed for ease of use, allowing elderly users to quickly call for help to emergency services.
Users could connect with their healthcare provider without needing to leave their home, making medical consultations more accessible and timely.
This feature allowed elderly users to reach out to a psychologist whenever they felt emotionally distressed or isolated, offering them mental health support to address anxiety and depression, which are among the most common mental health issues in elderly individuals.
A way for users to receive help with social needs, including guidance and support for managing daily life and connecting to local resources, thus addressing issues of loneliness and the need to be heard.
The calendar featured personalized reminders for key events such as doctor’s appointments and medication schedules, ensuring users stayed organized and on top of their healthcare.
It allowed elderly users to purchase groceries directly through the app, connecting the service with El Corte Inglés. This functionality reinforced the brand’s retail presence, offering users convenience while fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the parent company.
Relatives App
The primary function of the family app was to transmit the elderly user's health data to their family members, making it more as a tool for monitoring rather than for emergency purposes.
Device status monitoring
Enabling family members to check the status of the elderly user's emergency devices, ensuring they were always functioning properly.
Physical activity history
Providing a record of the patient's physical activity and status, helping family members stay informed about their loved one’s well-being and doctors in case of need.
Current location & history
Essential for tracking the elderly user’s whereabouts, especially in cases of disorientation caused by dementia.
Designing for Accessibility
When designing an app for elderly users, it is crucial to consider that many face physical or cognitive limitations that most mobile users do not experience.
Senior users may face cognitive challenges, such as difficulty understanding the interface, forgetting how to navigate between screens, or abandoning the app due to frustration when they make mistakes they believe are their fault.
Additionally, many suffer from vision impairments that reduce contrast sensitivity, making it harder to read small text or distinguish icons and interface elements.
Motor limitations also can make it difficult for them to press buttons, scroll through content, and perform touch gestures with precision.
Tackling cognitive challenges through navigation
When designing the navigation system, I focused on making it as simple and goal-oriented as possible for the users.
By leveraging user stories and user flows, I mapped out the exact steps users needed to take to reach their goals and determined what they would see on each screen, minimizing cognitive load as much as possible.
I focused on several key aspects. First, I prioritized clarity and simplicity in the on-screen text, using descriptive icons always accompanied by text and tooltips that helped users understand the app's functionality immediately. The typography needed to be large with high contrast between the text and background to ensure visibility.
The various UI elements, such as text and button size, were easily configurable from the settings. I also implemented compatibility options for color blindness to ensure that all users could customize the interface to their needs.
Adaptive UI for Mobility
To reduce motor difficulties, I removed scrolling from the app, making navigation easier. To alleviate the feeling of guilt for errors, I enabled undo actions for all functions, allowing users to correct any accidental mistakes. I also maintained adequate spacing between buttons to avoid undesired clicks and used clear error messages that indicated the issue and provided a solution.
Project Outcomes
Sales Impact
The app played a crucial role in client acquisition, contributing to €700,000 in generated revenue.
User Satisfaction
After implementing accessibility and UI improvements, user satisfaction reached an estimated 60%, based on user feedback.
Downloads & Market Entry
With over 2,000 downloads in it's first two years, the app built a loyal user base, establishing itself as a core tool in users' daily lives and providing easy access to teleassistance services.
Indirect Impact on Client Acquisition
The app played a key factor in the sales process, allowing potential clients to interact seamlessly with the service. This availability and ease of use were pivotal in supporting the sales team's strategy, contributing to the overall financial success.
