CanPlan vs LifeSherpa

*** WHAT IS IT? *** CanPlan promotes independence and builds confidence by helping people with cognitive challenges complete tasks successfully. Virtually any activity can be broken into a sequence of easy-to-follow steps, illustrated by photos and reinforced with optional text and audio. Scheduling and reminder features ensure each task gets done on time. Support workers and therapists are providing CanPlan to their clients with cognitive, memory and other challenges, while families and caregivers are using the tool with loved ones who desire more independence. For any given task, a user initially goes through the activity with a support person or family member. Together, they take photos of each step in the task, adding text or audio as needed. The task is then filed under a customizable set of categories, which could include areas such as: Food Preparation, Household Chores, Shopping, Transportation, Exercise, Workplace Tasks, and so on. *** WHO IS IT FOR? *** CanPlan is especially beneficial to people who have difficulty performing activities that require following a sequence of steps, including those with: - Brain injury - Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Dyslexia - Developmental disabilities *** KEY FEATURES *** - Task Sequencing: breaks each task into an easy-to-follow sequence of photos, with optional text or audio - Scheduling: shows a list of tasks to be completed during the day - Prompting: provides the option of audible timed reminders - Active Task Reminder: helps the user stick with a task until it’s complete - Task Categorization: allows tasks to be filed in customizable categories for easy retrieval - CanPlan is a universal app optimized for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad *** SUPPORT *** To report a problem with the app, please email canassist@uvic.ca *** TESTIMONIALS *** “It really helps me to function and complete day-to-day tasks. I use the schedule and alarm to structure my day. It has removed so much stress in my life.” – Client with early onset Alzheimer’s disease “It works great – I can add whatever tasks I need to remember. And I’ll add more and more tasks as I get more to do at work, and when I start taking the bus to work.” – Client with brain injury “I like that each step of a task includes a photo and audio as well. I also like that we are able to add empowering messages.” – Support worker of client with brain injury *** CANASSIST at the UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA *** CanAssist at the University of Victoria is dedicated to developing customized technologies and services for people with disabilities, with a focus on clients in British Columbia, Canada.

LifeSherpa is the all-in-one software that empowers support professionals to enhance capacity, visibility, and client outcomes. Through digital remote support and personalization, individuals can work closely with support professionals to improve in various areas of life including work, home, and personal health. The platform is customizable for each client and has features designed to cater to each of their individual needs, including: - Private video and text messaging capabilities  - One-click access to how-to resources, videos, and self-help tools - Ongoing reminders and reinforcements sent directly to the client’s smartphone - Objective metrics for assessing progress and making improvements - Instant access to live help and support circle - Impartial feedback regularly for self-assessment and improvement LifeSherpa helps support professionals elevate the client experience with technology, creating more bandwidth and engagement, while reducing burnout and wasted time via automatic tracking, specialized dashboards, and private text and video messaging. Focused on building structure, support professionals are able to help clients generalize activities that help them to: - Embody self-determination - Enhance their quality of life - Empower independence If you have any questions regarding the platform, contact the team at support@lifesherpapp.com.