HealthTrak: Making Digital Health Accessible for Seniors

As digital health technologies become increasingly prevalent, many older adults find themselves excluded due to complex interfaces and accessibility barriers. HealthTrak was developed to address this gap by creating an intuitive, voice-enabled health management app specifically designed for users aged 50-75.

My role

My role

UI/UX Designer

Industry

Industry

Healthcare

Timeline

Timeline

August 2024

Challenge

Despite growing smartphone adoption among seniors (68% of Boomers own smartphones), digital health apps often present significant barriers:

  • Complex interfaces that frustrate older users

  • Small text and poor contrast affecting readability

  • Lack of consideration for physical and cognitive limitations

  • Privacy and security concerns

  • Need for simplified medication and health tracking

Research

I conducted a focused survey with 9 individuals aged 50-75 to understand their experiences with digital health applications. Key insights revealed:

  • Variable comfort levels with digital health tools

  • Strong interest in telemedicine capabilities

  • Need for simplified navigation and enhanced security

  • Positive reception to voice assistance features

User Personas

I developed detailed personas to guide the design process:

  • Jane, 67: Lives independently but manages multiple medications

  • Bill, 55: Tech-curious with some physical limitations

Design Process

Using the How Might We (HMW) framework, I identified key opportunities:

  • Voice-assisted interface for hands-free operation

  • Simplified navigation with clear hierarchies

  • Large, high-contrast text and buttons

  • Comprehensive but straightforward health tracking

  • Easy medication management system

Opportunity areas

Wireframes

Wireframes

Low Fidelity wireframes

Onboarding screens

The onboarding process features a user-friendly design prioritizing simplicity and accessibility. We've implemented larger font sizes throughout and minimized required signup information. Content is thoughtfully distributed across three separate screens to prevent overwhelming users with too much information at once.

Home Screens

The interface was designed with accessibility at its core, featuring clean, uncluttered layouts that maintain a clear visual hierarchy throughout the experience. Users benefit from large touch targets that improve interaction accuracy, while voice command functionality for key functions enhances hands-free usability. For more complex operations, the system provides intuitive step-by-step guidance to ensure all users can navigate processes successfully regardless of their technical proficiency.


Impact & Learnings

Key Outcomes

  • Created an accessible digital health solution for seniors

  • Successfully integrated voice assistance for key tasks

  • Developed a user interface that accommodates various physical limitations

Lessons Learned

  1. Simplicity is crucial but shouldn't mean limiting functionality

  2. Voice interfaces can significantly improve accessibility

  3. Clear feedback and confirmation are essential for building trust

Next Steps

  • Expand voice command capabilities

  • Add telemedicine integration

  • Develop family member monitoring features

  • Implement emergency alert system