My offerings

  • Led and guided an equity-centered co-design plan and process

  • Co-designed interview guides and prompts tailored for discussions with caregivers, community health workers, and adult daycare staff

  • Synthesized insights into SWOT maps, current state journey maps, and a future state implementation map

  • Prepared surveys and ways to collect feedback on the final deliverable

  • Co-ordinated logistics and managed progress behind the scenes

Implementing a scaled-up version of a dementia care trial
in Korean Adult
Daycare Settings

Background
Korean American (KA) families confronting dementia often lack access to essential resources and support. The PLAN research study (백세시대 뇌건강 지킴이) addresses this critical gap. This project deploys trained community health workers (CHWs) to bridge the information gap. These CHWs equip KA families with the knowledge and tools needed to manage dementia effectively.

Phase 1 of the project achieved a remarkable 90% enrollment rate, primarily through Korean adult daycare centers in major metropolitan areas like Greater Washington and New York. With this successful model in place, the project now sets its sights on scaling up with PLAN 2.0.

Co-creation
This project wasn't just about research – it was about collaboration. The research team engaged a diverse group representing the heart of the program:

  • 7 Caregivers: Their lived experiences provided invaluable insights into the challenges and needs of families facing dementia.

  • 5 Community Health Workers: Their expertise ensured the program's resources and support were delivered effectively.

  • 4 Adult Daycare Staff: Their firsthand knowledge of the daycare setting helped tailor the program for optimal impact.

This collaborative spirit came alive through a series of dedicated meetings. Each group participated in 5-7 focused sessions, followed by joint gatherings to share ideas and refine the program.

Outcome
Through this co-creation process, a clear vision, design principles, and comprehensive implementation plans for PLAN 2.0 were established. These plans, informed by the diverse perspectives involved, pave the way for a more impactful and scalable program. The findings are currently being used to secure funding for pilot testing in 4 adult daycare centers across New York and Greater Washington areas.

Collaborator
Dr. Haera Han (Principal Investigator)
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Nursing Research, Caregiver Support
2019, Baltimore, USA

Steps for engaging diverse caregivers in co-design

  • Guiding factors and values to ensure diversity in terms of backgrounds, experiences, and caregiving situations

  • Conducted initial interviews with potential CAB members to discuss project goals, expectations, roles, and evaluate alignment with project interests and perspectives

  • Drafted roles and responsibilities, community agreements, and expectations for CAB members, subject to discussion in upcoming meetings

This 'big picture process map' outlines the collaborative steps planned at the project's outset, involving all stakeholders.
As lead facilitator, I spearheaded the process, working with team members to navigate each stage.

PLAN 1.0 Analysis & Lessons Learned

This image depicts the breakdown of data gathered through interviews following PLAN 1.0.
By analyzing these insights and data points, we extracted valuable knowledge that was
shared with stakeholders to set the stage for co-designing PLAN 2.0.

Participatory Inquiry & Dialogue

This section delves into the project's core approach: tailored interviews with each stakeholder group. Recognizing the unique perspectives of caregivers, community health workers (CHWs), and adult daycare staff,
the project designed specific questions for each group:

Caregivers: As program participants, their lived experiences provide invaluable insights. Questions focused on refining the program to ensure it effectively meets their needs.

Community Health Workers:
These frontline workers have been instrumental in implementing
PLAN 1.0. By understanding their experiences and wisdom (including successes and challenges encountered), the project aimed
to create a smooth transition to
PLAN 2.0.

Adult Daycare Staff: Before conducting interviews, ensuring staff fully grasped the purpose and outcomes of PLAN was crucial. Discussions focused on emphasizing strengths and benefits, outlining the consequences of not implementing the change, and addressing concerns openly. This fostered a collaborative problem-solving approach.

Visual Sense-Making

We utilized stakeholder interview insights to create three distinct journey maps for caregivers, CHWs, and adult daycare staff – visualizing their positive and challenging experiences with PLAN 1.0, along with opportunities for further discussion, paving the way for co-designing PLAN 2.0.

CURRENT STATE MAPS

The process continued by translating stakeholder insights from the 'current state maps' into actionable plans. This image showcases the resulting future state maps, meticulously crafted through various iterations. These maps delve into potential solutions, addressing "why," "how," and "when" questions, while also establishing core principles and values to guide the implementation of a more impactful PLAN 2.0.

FUTURE STATE MAPS

The process culminated in this future implementation map, a refined vision for PLAN 2.0 which was used to gather stakeholder feedback and voting during collective sessions, ultimately prioritizing the program elements most desired by the community.

FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION MAP

Collective Feedback and Dialogue on Feasibility & Implementation

The focus on collaboration is evident in this image, showcasing screenshots from virtual meetings where stakeholders provided collective feedback and dialogue on feasibility and implementation. By reviewing each phase and action of the future implementation map, and participating in polls, stakeholders actively shaped the final vision for PLAN 2.0, ensuring the program aligns with community needs and practical considerations.

Integrating co-design findings
into the RE-AIM Framework

The findings from our co-design sessions were systematically integrated into the RE-AIM framework, a comprehensive evaluation framework that assesses the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance of interventions. This approach aims to enhance their applicability in academic settings and bolster efforts to secure funding and support for implementation.

Next
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Meeting caregivers’ needs that align with their values and life purpose