A modular wearable system supporting safer independent living, tailored to the needs of people with dementia and their formal and informal caregivers, was designed. The proposed design combines a customizable hardware platform with empathy-driven design principles to enhance usability, minimize stigma, and improve user acceptance. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed to investigate the sources of rejection of people with dementia and to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. The prototype features a discreet, jewellery-like form factor and integrates robust emergency communication functionalities that can be embedded in diverse care workflows.