Elderly individuals often face significant challenges during medical emergencies due to delayed recognition, inadequate response systems, and socio-economic barriers. This study explores the preparedness and response phases of elderly medical emergencies in Hyderabad, India, identifying critical gaps and proposing interventions to address them. By leveraging primary research, stakeholder interviews, and contextual inquiries, the study highlights the need for localized solutions, such as educational programs, emergency kits, bystander training, and integrated digital tools. The findings emphasize the importance of fostering awareness, preparedness, and timely response to reduce mortality rates and improve outcomes for the elderly population.

The elderly population in India is projected to grow significantly in the coming decades, making healthcare challenges for this demographic a critical concern. Emergency medical situations pose unique challenges for the elderly due to age-related vulnerabilities, socio-economic constraints, and limited preparedness. In Hyderabad, only 2% of elderly emergencies are recognized promptly, compared to a global average of 51%, highlighting a significant gap in preparedness and response. This study focuses on identifying these gaps and proposing actionable solutions to improve emergency care outcomes for elderly individuals.

India's socio-cultural landscape, characterized by high dependence on familial support and varying levels of literacy and healthcare access, further compounds the challenge of ensuring adequate emergency preparedness for the elderly. By addressing these gaps, this study aims to contribute to a more inclusive and responsive emergency care system tailored to the needs of an aging population.

The primary objectives of this study are:

1. To understand the emergency lifecycle for elderly individuals in Hyderabad, including recognition, preparedness, and response phases.
2. To identify key barriers preventing timely and effective emergency care.
3. To propose interventions addressing socio-economic and cultural challenges in emergency preparedness and response.
4. To evaluate the potential impact of localized solutions on emergency outcomes and elderly well-being.

We are a team of seven students from diverse backgrounds, including design, engineering, and management, studying at IIIT Hyderabad. Growing up in India, we have observed firsthand the healthcare challenges prevalent in the country, especially those related to emergency care. When presented with a problem brief by Laerdal, we immediately resonated with it, recognizing the significance of addressing emergency preparedness and response, particularly for the elderly population.

This project aims to focus on a specific aspect of the emergency care domain—time-critical emergencies—and explore ways to contribute to improving emergency outcomes in Hyderabad.

3.1 Research Design This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from field visits and interviews with secondary research on emergency care standards and statistics. The methodology was designed to provide a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by elderly individuals and their caregivers during medical emergencies.

3.2 Data Collection

• Field Visits: Conducted at Apollo Hospitals, Care Hospitals, and the Joy Foundation Old Age Home to observe emergency protocols and patient journeys. Field visits allowed researchers to understand the gaps between existing protocols and actual practices.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Conducted in-depth interviews with emergency nurses, critical care doctors, caregivers, and elderly individuals to understand their experiences and perspectives on emergency preparedness and response.
• Contextual Inquiry: Observed emergency scenarios, including ambulance rides and triage processes, to identify inefficiencies and pain points. Real-world observations offered insights into systemic and situational challenges.

3.3 Data Analysis Data were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns, barriers, and opportunities for intervention. Coding methods were employed to categorize qualitative data into key themes such as recognition, preparedness, and response gaps.

Our journey began by understanding emergencies as a whole. A medical emergency, as defined by the AAOS Orange Book, is an acute injury or illness posing an immediate risk to a person's life or long-term health, sometimes referred to as a situation risking "life or limb."

Insights from Dr. Srilatha Dwaram, a consultant in specialty critical care medicine at Care Hospitals, revealed that most emergencies in India are not detected in time. The primary issues include lack of awareness, ignorance, and difficulty in identifying emergencies. Despite emergency care in India being relatively affordable compared to developed nations, the sector faces significant challenges, including:

• Lack of training and equipment.
• Delays in ambulance arrivals.
• Trust in unauthorized local medical caregivers over professional healthcare.

Interviews with medical professionals from various cities underscored the importance of considering the local context. In Hyderabad, for instance, while road accidents have declined by over 65% due to local initiatives, the national average remains high, highlighting regional differences.

4.1 Key Challenges Identified

1. Delayed Recognition: A significant proportion of emergencies go unnoticed or are misinterpreted, delaying critical interventions. This delay is exacerbated by a lack of awareness among both the elderly and their caregivers.
2. Cultural and Economic Barriers: Many elderly individuals rely on alternative treatments and face financial constraints, delaying formal medical care. Economic dependency further reduces their access to emergency resources.
3. Lack of Bystander Support: In emergencies, elderly individuals often lack immediate assistance from trained bystanders or neighbors. Community members are often untrained in basic emergency response.
4. Inefficient Response Mechanisms: Disparities between rural and urban settings contribute to inconsistent emergency outcomes. Urban areas, despite better infrastructure, often face delays due to overcrowding, while rural areas lack adequate facilities altogether.

Insights

• Emergency care for the elderly is marginalized, with limited tailored protocols and insufficient training for healthcare providers.
• Awareness of emergency symptoms among caregivers and the elderly is low, leading to reliance on informal treatments.
• Socio-economic and literacy barriers significantly affect preparedness and response, with rural populations facing additional disadvantages.

5.1 Educational Programs

• Goal: Improve awareness of critical emergency symptoms among elderly individuals and their caregivers.
• Approach: Community-driven workshops, digital campaigns, and localized educational materials. Educational programs would include symptom recognition, first-aid basics, and instructions on when to seek emergency care.

5.2 Emergency Preparedness Kits

• Components: Medical ID cards, emergency contact details, basic first aid supplies, and symptom guides.
• Benefits: Provides immediate resources to address emergencies effectively. Kits are designed to be low-cost and easy to use, addressing economic barriers.

5.3 Bystander Training Programs

• Goal: Empower neighbors, caregivers, and community members with basic first aid and CPR training.
• Approach: Collaborate with NGOs and local healthcare providers to implement training modules. Training programs would emphasize real-world scenarios and hands-on practice.

5.4 Integrated Emergency App

• Features: Real-time EMS communication, step-by-step guidance for emergencies, and tracking of ambulance arrival times.
• Accessibility: Designed with user-friendly interfaces for elderly users and their caregivers, the app includes voice guidance and multilingual support.

The findings emphasize the importance of localized, community-driven approaches to address the gaps in elderly emergency care. Educational programs can significantly improve symptom recognition and response readiness, while preparedness kits and bystander training empower communities to act effectively. An integrated emergency app bridges the gap between awareness and response, providing real-time solutions tailored to the local context.

While these interventions have significant potential, their success depends on widespread adoption and collaboration among stakeholders. Cultural resistance to new practices and technology adoption among the elderly must be addressed through targeted awareness campaigns and incentives

By addressing the root causes of delayed emergency responses, this study aims to create a more informed and prepared society. The proposed interventions prioritize elderly well-being, fostering an inclusive and efficient emergency care system.

Role - UX Design Lead
Responsibilities - Facilitated primary and secondary research, Ideating on the key workloads and features, visualisation of features, solution mapping, user testing

Team - Cross-functional collaboration involving UX designers, property managers, and software developers

Figma, Competitor Analysis, Persona Development

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