CareMate: Transforming Elder Care Records from Management to Insight with AI

In the field of elder care, records were originally meant to help us “see the person.” Yet, in reality, many facilities experience a sense of discomfort:
* Writing records becomes an end in itself.
* Records are created for checks, scores, and additional benefits.
* The more records increase, the less time there is to truly observe the care recipients.

**CareMate** was born from this very discomfort.

⸻Towards Care that Values Words Over Numbers

What CareMate values is the perspective of “Mibyō” (pre-symptomatic stage). These are the small changes happening within a person before a diagnosis is made or before they appear in numerical data:
* Their expression was a little softer today.
* Their gait was more natural than yesterday.
* Their meal intake was normal, but their eating speed was different.

Such changes cannot be captured by graphs or scores. That’s why CareMate chose a design where:
* Medically necessary items like vitals are recorded minimally and numerically.
* Life and daily observations are primarily recorded with words.

⸻”No Evaluation” Leads to Consistent Recording

CareMate’s records do not include good/bad evaluations. Even if there’s a 5-level input, it’s merely a guideline for the day’s positioning, not a judgment.
* There are no right answers.
* If in doubt, “3” is fine.
* It’s not used for comparison or reprimand.

This premise ensures that staff members no longer fear recording. And, strangely, when evaluation stops, truly important insights begin to emerge in words.

⸻AI as a “Co-pilot,” Not a “Judge”

The AI integrated into CareMate is not an AI that provides answers. It:
* Summarizes records.
* Organizes insights.
* Looks at trends over 90 days and provides feedback in words.

This AI supports the observations of the care staff; it’s an AI that thinks *with* them, not *for* them. CareMate calls this approach Human-Scale AI.

⸻Trust-Based Design, Not Check-Based

CareMate operates on the premise of the inherent goodness of human nature.
* No surveillance.
* No constraints from checklists.
* Only exceptions are recorded in words.

This aligns with Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory and Theory Y. It’s a structure where the meaning of work naturally emerges, not through “management.” As a result, it leads to a cycle where:
* Staff stress is reduced.
* Observational skills are nurtured.
* The gaze towards care recipients deepens.

CareMate is a tool designed to create such a cycle.

⸻Quietly Usable on iPad/iPhone

CareMate is primarily designed for iPad / iPhone (FileMaker Go).
* Can be used offline.
* No expensive dedicated terminals required.
* Does not interfere with workflow on site.

We prioritize not interfering over mere convenience.

⸻To Return Care to a Fulfilling Profession

Care is inherently a noble profession that accompanies people through their lives. CareMate is not a system solely aimed at efficiency. It strives to be a quiet tool for:
* Protecting small insights.
* Preserving words.
* Reclaiming time to see people.

If you’ve ever felt “a little uncomfortable with current record-keeping,” CareMate can gently resonate with that feeling.

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https://progreit.com/ai-caremate-english/