We’re excited to share that Ryman Healthcare’s innovative myRyman resident app and supporting admin portal have received major recognition at the 2024 Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards.
After reaching the finals in three categories, myRyman proudly took home Gold in the Value of Design Award. This is awarded to industry-leading initiatives that champion the power of good design to create massive impact.
myRyman was developed in partnership with our digital innovation partner, Journey Digital, and was also a finalist in the Social Good and Digital Products categories. Representatives from Ryman and Journey celebrated their achievement before taking to the stage to receive the award at a ceremony this month.
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Since launching in Ryman villages, the tools have transformed how residents access information about events and activities, with the app enabling greater connection amongst those living in village communities. At the same time, the admin portal has improved operational efficiency for village team members.
Designed specifically for older adults, the myRyman app was designed based on feedback from residents and village team members, stemming from over 270 hours of interviews and 30 accessibility-focused sessions. This collaborative effort has resulted in a user-friendly solution that effectively addresses residents' needs.
With features like real-time village updates, an event calendar, and an admin portal for village team members, myRyman enhances communication and community engagement. Residents can easily access online services for medication deliveries and home care assessments, with intuitive onboarding and input options.
Ryman Healthcare’s Chief Customer and Technology Officer, Rick Davies, said the win reflects the company’s commitment to digital innovation and user-centered design.
“By co-designing the app and admin portal with residents as well as village team members, we have developed a solution that truly helps them feel connected and stay informed. This collaborative approach enables us to better understand how our services can meet residents' needs and how technology can enhance engagement within our communities.”
The judges praised the app and admin portal for being a comprehensive solution that enhances residents' lives. They highlighted how its well-executed design simplifies complex processes and offers a seamless user experience
Charles Upham Village resident Margaret Finney said the app’s simple design had become a helpful way to plan social activities.
“I find it very useful. It’s very simple, very easy to use, I can go straight to the saved menu and see what I’ve got in there for that day or that week.”
She has shared her thoughts with her friends about its accessibility and ease of use, “I say you’ll be surprised at how easy it is, and how much you’ll use it.”
MyRyman's success speaks for itself, with over 76% of independent resident households in Ryman’s New Zealand villages actively using the app. Notably, 98% of those households engage with the app weekly, and it has achieved impressive resident satisfaction rates.
The partnership between Ryman’s technology team and Journey Digital has been key to this success. Their combined expertise has resulted in a user-centric approach that prioritises customer experience.
In 2023, the myRyman app won the Digital Design Apps and Software Green Tick Award at the Australian Good Design Awards, and earlier this year, it was named 'Innovation of the Year - Technology Social Engagement' at the Asia-Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards.
