Designing Intergenerational Support to Reduce Elderly Isolation in India
True Companions
Industry
Ed-Tech
Role
Service Designer
Experience & System Designer
TEAM
Kaushik Shaw
Rachit Kayath
Sana Pawa
Vaani Bajpai
Timeline
5 Weeks
Overview
TrueCompanions is a service that pairs elderly individuals with verified young companions to foster emotional support, knowledge exchange, and a sense of belonging through both digital and physical touchpoints.
This project began with a simple but critical question:
Why do so many elderly individuals still feel emotionally isolated despite being physically surrounded by people?
India — Elderly Population Report
Ageing in
India, 2025
01 / SCALE
158.7
Million elderly by 2025
Projected
02 / ISOLATION
34%
Experience social isolation
Critical
03 / HOUSING
~4.4%
Reside in old-age homes
Contextual
When we started this project, we began by exploring the lives of elderly people in old age homes. It felt like a good starting point, they were accessible, and it would be easier to observe and interact with them closely.
The institutional setting provided structure. We could approach residents, conduct interviews, and map daily routines with relative ease. Our early assumptions aligned with the common perception that old age homes represented a significant portion of elderly life in India.
"It felt like a good starting point —
they were accessible, and easier
to observe closely."
— INITIAL RESEARCH RATIONALE
Key Insights
Field Research / 2025
Loneliness Triggers
Emotional
Loss of a partner, distant friends, or busy families often leads to emotional isolation
even when elders are physically present with others.
Social Preferences
Social
Elders enjoy small groups, personal conversations, or intergenerational bonding
connection style varies widely by individual comfort.
Digital Habits
Digital
Some use smartphones confidently mainly for calls and WhatsApp while others
need guidance. Digital fluency spans a wide spectrum.
Support Systems
Relational
Elders rely on family, neighbors, or helpers for both emotional and practical support.
These networks are essential but often fragile.
Openness to Youth
Intergenerational
Many elders enjoy connecting with younger people when approached with empathy
and respect. The generational bridge, built well, is genuinely welcomed.
Willingness to Learn
Learning
Many elders are open to learning new technology, especially when it helps them stay
connected to family or offers greater independence.
Elderly Persona
01 / PERSONA
Mansi Sharma, 67
RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER
I miss talking to others the way we used to.
Background
Mansi is a retired school teacher who values independence and enjoys storytelling, reading
newspapers, and bhajan groups. She appreciates her family's care but often keeps her feelings to herself to avoid burdening them or causing conflict.
Goals & Ambitions
Stay mentally and socially active
Feel valued and connected
Learn how to use technology
smartphones in particular
Frustrations
Afraid to ask for help, feels like a burden
Feels invisible and unheard by younger
people
Finds technology overwhelming and not designed for her
Companion Persona
02 / PERSONA
Aman Gupta, 22
COLLEGE STUDENT
I’m scared they’re lonely, and I don’t know how to reach them.
Background
College student, admires grandparents’ wisdom, feels close but busy, finds tech help challenging due to their fear and low confidence.
Goals & Ambitions
Build a strong connection with older adults
Make a positive impact
Gain emotional and communication skills
Frustrations
Feels helpless when older adults don’t understand digital tools
Struggles with repeating instructions
Feels guilty for not being more patient or available
Mansi Sharma
Journey Map
Elderly Person — Current Experience (As-Is)
Aman Gupta
Journey Map
Young Companion — Current Experience (As-Is)
Problem Framing
Understanding
the Problem
How might we design inclusive, emotionally engaging community experiences that empower elderly individuals to feel valued, stay connected, and confidently adapt to digital life?
Research & Findings
Possible Solutions
Based on all the information collected through research and findings, we determined that an application will require the following functionality to promote a connection between the elderly and young people.
Connect elderly users with verified young companions for support.
Provide a simplified, user-friendly interface tailored for senior accessibility.
Enable easy scheduling for companionship or help.
Offer young companions a structured platform to contribute and track impact.
Implement an admin dashboard to monitor all interactions and ensure safety.
Include feedback and reporting systems for continuous service improvement.
Build trust with profile verification, activity logs, and emergency support tools.
Ideation Exploration
We explored ideas and shortlisted six promising concepts that could strengthen
emotional connection and community engagement among elderly individuals.
Memory Wall
A shared wall for leaving photos, notes, and stories together.
Why it works
- Triggers nostalgia and storytelling
- Encourages natural conversations
Talent Showcase Day
A community event where elders showcase their talents and feel celebrated.
Why it works
- Restores confidence and pride
- Creates joyful community moments
Life Advice Booth
A booth where elders share life advice and stories with younger visitors.
Why it works
- Gives elders a sense of purpose
- Encourages meaningful conversations
Walk Meetups
Small group walks designed for light activity and relaxed conversations.
Why it works
- Walking reduces social pressure
- Encourages organic bonding
Shared Hobby Zone
A space where elders and young companions explore hobbies together.
Why it works
- Activities spark natural connection
- Revives elders' forgotten interests
Ambient Soundscapes
Soft ambient sound environments designed to create emotional comfort.
Why it works
- Familiar sounds trigger memories
- Creates a calming atmosphere
Let’s talk design, ideas, or anything in between
I swear desktop version hits different.
Mobile Experience Coming Soon
