Cherish

The onset of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia or alzheimers can upend lives, introducing a constant state of uncertainty- disrupting memories, daily routines, and even one’s sense of self. Simple tasks can be overwhelming, familiar memories feel ephemeral, and daily life becomes disorienting. Loved ones experience a different kind of chaos: the emotional weight of watching someone dear to them struggle, paired with the hopelessness of feeling unable to help in meaningful ways. There is no known cure for neurodegenerative diseases, and existing approaches often fall short in bringing clarity, comfort, and connection to the challenges of everyday life.

Cherish transforms chaos and confusion into clarity through thoughtful, human-centered design rooted in a symptom-management approach. Acting as an extension of the user’s memory, the app uses a serene, low-stimulation interface to help individuals record and recall important moments, follow daily routines, and receive reminders that make getting through the day feel more manageable. At the same time, it gives caregivers peace of mind and a meaningful way to stay present- sending gentle nudges, sharing messages, and offering reassurance in real time. Cherish also supports healthcare providers by offering a clearer view into patients’ daily patterns and needs, enabling more informed, continuous, remote care. Memory is a vital part of who we are. By turning overwhelming experiences into guided interactions, Cherish fosters connection and a renewed sense of independence and self for patients and their care circles.

To build Cherish, we looked beyond standard app design and focused on the lived experiences of those navigating memory disorders. Through iterative workshopping, we worked to limit features to be as simple as possible. We meticulously refined every function to reduce cognitive load, only integrating additional features when they were proven essential to the user’s clarity and well-being, transforming digital chaos into a streamlined, approachable experience.