Cozy Hearts

Inspiration

Cozy Hearts was inspired by the growing problem of loneliness among elderly people. Social isolation affects both mental and physical health, and many elderly residents lack accessible ways to discover nearby activities, services, or social opportunities. Despite existing community initiatives, these often fail to reach those who need them most.

What it does

Cozy Hearts is a digital service that connects elderly residents with nearby services, volunteers, and social activities based on shared interests and geographic location. The platform promotes safe social interaction and inclusion, and can be used either directly by elderly users or with the support of caregivers and family members.

How we built it

We designed Cozy Hearts as an easy-to-use mobile application focused on accessibility and simplicity. Users create a basic profile with personal interests, and are matched with local groups and activities. The platform integrates initiatives from municipalities and community centers, ensuring trusted and safe meeting environments.

Challenges we ran into

The main challenge was balancing functionality with simplicity, ensuring the platform remains accessible to elderly users with limited technological experience. Another key challenge was designing safe and trustworthy interactions by relying on verified community institutions.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of creating a solution that enhances existing community and governmental services rather than replacing them. The interest-based and location-based matching system enables meaningful social connections and promotes active participation in local communities.

What we learned

We learned that accessibility and user-centered design are essential when developing technology for elderly users. We also learned that strong collaboration with community centers and public institutions is key to achieving real social impact.

What's next for Cozy Hearts

Next steps include developing a functional prototype, testing it with elderly users and caregivers, and refining the user experience based on feedback. We also plan to establish partnerships with municipalities and social organizations to support adoption and long-term sustainability.