Hanna Miller's Father Struggles with Dementia-Related Online Shopping Habits

Hanna Miller's family knew her father as a kind-hearted person who always had gifts on hand for his loved ones. He spent years living abroad but would frequently visit home, often carrying suitcases full of presents for his grandkids.

As his dementia progressed, however, he began to struggle with recalling recent online purchases, leading to a buildup of unwanted items. The sheer volume of gifts and orders became overwhelming, making it difficult for him to keep track of expenses.

His shopping habits not only caused frustration but also financial strain, as the costs began to outpace his modest income from Social Security and pension benefits. These benefits barely covered his rent and basic living expenses, leaving little room for anything else.

Miller's father had a long history of indulging in online shopping, often buying food and other items without considering their impact on his finances. His relatives grew concerned about the consequences of his actions, particularly as dementia took hold.

The situation ultimately led Miller to intervene, working closely with her sister, who held power of attorney over their father's affairs. Together, they cancelled unwanted orders and replaced credit cards with a debit card in an effort to rein in his spending.

Miller struggled with the decision to intervene further in her father's online shopping habits, feeling as though she was crossing a line into his personal space.

She had already taken steps to rein in his spending by canceling unwanted orders and replacing credit cards with a debit card, but Miller wondered if there wasn't a more elegant solution that would allow her father to maintain some autonomy while preventing financial crises.

Miller turned to AI as a potential middle ground, hoping it could help find a way for her father to shop without the risks associated with each purchase.

She and her friend Nikki Elbaz, who had technical expertise, teamed up to build a service called ShieldCart that would redirect users to a fake checkout page at any online store.

This would prevent the completion of real transactions, giving Miller's father an additional layer of protection from overspending.

The platform, ShieldCart, uses a Chrome extension and desktop app to monitor the aging parent's purchases and block certain websites. This allows caregivers to set boundaries while still giving the parent control over their spending habits.

ShieldCart doesn't collect actual credit card information; instead, it only asks for the last four digits of the card number to create more realistic confirmation pages. The app offers different modes that enable caregivers to either completely block purchases, temporarily pause them, or review and process transactions afterwards.

One of the key features of ShieldCart is its ability to mimic real checkout experiences, making it difficult for aging parents to distinguish between actual and simulated transactions. This allows caregivers to prevent their loved ones from overspending without arousing suspicion or triggering resistance.

The developers of ShieldCart are aware of the ethical concerns surrounding their product and encourage users to consult with an elder law attorney or secure power of attorney before installing the software on a loved one's device, particularly in cases where there may be conflicting interests.

The developers of ShieldCart acknowledge that their product may not be effective for every family dealing with dementia, particularly those who are less close or have a less severe form of the condition.

Children who are not as emotionally invested in caring for their parents, or those whose loved ones' cognitive decline is slower, may find it challenging to use the app successfully. This limitation underscores the importance of personalized care and support for individuals with dementia.

The personal connection behind ShieldCart's development has taken a poignant turn, as its creator's father passed away recently after a period of decent health. Despite this loss, the team remains committed to expanding the app's reach and impact.

As they move forward, the developers aim to partner with organizations that provide support for caregivers of people with dementia, while also developing mobile capabilities to cater to users who prefer smartphones or tablets.