Ryan Berger

9/8/21

Humans in Technology

Problem Statement Template

Example Answers:

WHO?

Who has the problem?

Those who are unable to communicate effectively in the Waimea community.

WHAT?

What is the issue?

Often older people and those who are in Hospice do not have the ability to communicate well with their caretakers. The goal is to make them as comfortable as possible by finding the best way to talk about their past for the older patients to see how this affects their relaxation. This same principle can be applied to other forms of memory loss or trouble with communication like Dementia and Aphasia patients or even those with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome.

WHY?

Why is this an issue or problem? What pain does a “customer” experience?

There is nothing being done to help these people in our community. This research could help make their time more enjoyable and have a positive benefit to these people and their families.

WHERE?

Where does the problem occur (give context, location, process, etc.)?

In Waimea, at the Waimea Hospice HoʻoNani center and the QNHCH senior unit.

WHEN?

When does the problem occur?

This problem occurs when you get older as everything slows down, it also occurs in Dementia patients, and those with Aphasia patients.

HOW OBSERVED?

How is the customer impacted?

I have volunteered at the Waimea Hospice and seen how hard it can be for some of these people. I have also talked with those at Ho’oNani and seen this first hand and I have spoken to a nurse at QNHCH who works with senior patients.

HOW OFTEN?

How often is this problem experienced by a customer?

This problem can be experienced by the specific demographic mentioned in the What? section. It is a continuous progression and there are various levels to it.

Problem Statement

Often older people and those who are in Hospice do not have the ability to communicate well with their caretakers. This issue occurs often in our community, specifically in the Waimea Hospice HoʻoNani center and the QNHCH senior unit. I have seen this problem first hand when I volunteered at the Waimea Hospice and seen how hard it can be for some of these people. I have also talked with those at Ho’oNani and seen this first hand and I have spoken to a nurse at QNHCH who works with senior patients. In all these cases that I have seen and talked to professionals about, the hardest part of care is communication, as without it caretakers cannot help with specifics. To target this issue the goal is to make those affected as comfortable as possible by finding the best way to talk about their past for the older patients to see how this affects their relaxation. This same principle can be applied to other forms of memory loss or trouble with communication like Dementia and Aphasia patients or even those in a persistent vegetative state. There is nothing being done to help these people in our community. Not only are these people affected but making them more comfortable would benefit their families who feel the loss and hardship of this situation already. Knowing that they are comfortable and their needs are met would help families get through this tough time. This research could help make their time more enjoyable and have a positive benefit to these people and their families. I have looked at examples of using EEG technology with a patient with Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome , looking for a signal in brain activity that shows that there is consciousness. Through EEG research, one could eventually help those in a coma communicate and know when there is still brain activity. This research could help people all over the world who are affected by communication issues and diseases that inhibit communication.

Works Cited

Juskalian, Russ. “The Hunt for Hidden Signs of Consciousness in Unreachable Patients.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 23 Aug. 2021, www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/25/1031776/the-hunt-for-hidden-signs-of-consciousness-in-unreachable-patients/?truid=d7359de9a3931256c662e92a2fafc300&utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=&utm_content=09-01-2021&mc_cid=bdc7c21082&mc_eid=5ac654740a.

“Memory, Forgetfulness, and Aging: What's Normal and What's Not?” National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not.

Utianski, Rene L, et al. “Electroencephalography in Primary Progressive Aphasia and Apraxia of Speech.” Aphasiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6860920/.

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(my refelction on feedback is in my weblog)