Problem
Elderly Individuals Struggle with Loneliness and Social Disconnection
In today’s digital world, older adults have vibrant online communities, yet many still experience loneliness. Mainstream social media platforms often overlook the needs of elderly users, creating barriers to communication and connection. This lack of access contributes in sense of isolation and exclusion, amplifying the already prevalent issue of loneliness among elderly individuals.
Solution
Making Digital Spaces Inclusive
Connect & Belong
Designed to reduce loneliness through safe, age-friendly social spaces.
Soft visuals, large buttons, and intuitive navigation help older users feel safe and in control.
Problem Discovery
Inaccessible online community= Isolation and loneliness
We conducted user interviews with 5-7 older adults who were living independently in urban areas of the U.S. Our goal was to understand their challenges and emotional experiences related to social isolation and digital engagement.
The participants, aged 55-70, were either in early retirement or had been living independently for a long time with limited community interaction. Through these conversations, we identified key pain points and needs that shaped our design approach. The major themes that emerged from these interviews were:
"I click on one thing, and suddenly I’m somewhere else—I get lost so easily on these apps." - Michael
"The text is so small! I have to squint or grab my glasses just to read a simple message." - Amy
"I want to ask for help, but I don’t even know where to go—tech support just confuses me more." - Jennifer
"Social media just doesn’t feel like it’s made for people my age… it feels like I don’t belong." - Mary
"Why is everything so cluttered? There are too many options, and I don’t know where to start." - John
"There’s too much going on at once pop-ups and notifications make me feel overwhelmed." - Robert
Brainstorming
3 Rounds of Sticky Notes
To better understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities for designing a social media app for older adults, we conducted a structured brainstorming session using three rounds of sticky notes.
Round 1 focused on asking open-ended questions across four themes: user needs, accessibility, social interaction, and support.
Round 2 helped identify key pain points older adults face with current digital platforms.
Round 3 generated possible solutions grounded in empathy, simplicity, and digital inclusion.
This exercise helped shape the design direction and ensured that user concerns remained central to the development process.
Prioritization Map
What problems to focus on, comparing impact and building effort levels
Low Fidelity
A problem can have multiple solutions
Creating multiple low-fidelity wireframes helped us quickly explore different ways to address the needs of older adults.
This approach allowed us to test various layout options, content structures, and accessibility features early in the process. It enabled faster iteration and helped identify the most effective solutions before moving into high-fidelity design.
User Feedback
How did the feedback affect the outcome?
Based on insights gathered from initial user interviews, we developed mid-fidelity wireframes to bring the Sage Link concept to life. These screens focused on accessibility, ease of navigation, and content personalization for older adults.
We conduced a round of usability testing, where participants highlighted areas that needed clarification, adjustments to layout, and stronger visual cues for certain features.
In response, we refined the designs by addressing these usability concerns and integrating new suggestions. The final prototype reflects these changes, showing how user feedback directly shaped the evolution of the app.
