About the Project

Inspiration

What inspired me to create this project is deeply personal. For several years, my grandfather has been living in a senior residence, and I could clearly see that he was often bored, with very few meaningful activities offered. Even more difficult was seeing my grandmother, who is less independent, living in a nursing home and struggling deeply with isolation. She feels disconnected from the world, from the city, and she cannot go out freely. As a result, she has very little social interaction.

It is also difficult for families to always be present, especially when they live far away, as is the case for us.

Over time, I realized that this was not just my family’s situation, but a much broader and universal issue. Around the world, nearly a quarter of older adults report feeling lonely on a daily or near-daily basis. Millions rarely leave their homes, and many are completely cut off from friends, family, and even neighbors. This made me understand the scale of social isolation among elderly people, and it pushed me to think: how can we use technology to create something meaningful and improve their well-being?

The concept

Linkage is a web and mobile application designed to reduce social isolation among elderly people. The platform allows elderly users to subscribe for a small monthly fee, giving them access to visits from volunteers who share their interests. Volunteers earn points for each visit, which can be converted into rewards, creating motivation while keeping the service sustainable.

Elderly members create a profile with basic information, availability, and interests. Volunteers also create profiles, indicating their interests and schedules, and can select opportunities to visit based on common interests, such as cooking, reading, or gardening. Visits can take place at senior residences, nursing homes, or at the elderly person's home.

The platform also targets caregivers, families, and homes for the elderly to help onboard members and spread awareness about the service. Overall, Linkage reconnects generations, builds meaningful social bonds, and contributes to the well-being of isolated elderly people.

What I learned

Through this project, I learned that building an application is far more complex than it initially seems. It requires time, patience, and continuous iteration. You cannot create a truly impactful solution in just a few steps.

I also discovered how to design a user experience using no-code tools like Lovable. Even though it does not replace full coding, it allows you to create something functional, intuitive, and inspiring.

Beyond the technical aspect, I learned how to turn an idea into a structured project: thinking about the user journey, the value proposition, and the emotional impact. It also taught me how to work with AI tools effectively, even when they don’t always respond exactly as expected.

How I built this project

I built this project primarily using my own ideas, creativity, and curiosity. Linkage is, above all, something that comes from my personal experience and my desire to create a positive social impact.

I then used AI tools like Lovable to bring this idea to life and design a concrete user experience. This allowed me to transform an abstract concept into a real interface, with structure, features, and a clear identity.

The process was both creative and iterative: I constantly refined the design, the message, and the user journey to make the project more coherent, more human, and more impactful.

Challenges I faced

One of the main challenges I faced was trying to create a complete and realistic user experience. For example, I wanted to integrate features like a payment system, which is not always possible with no-code tools. This forced me to adapt my expectations and focus on what was achievable within the constraints.

Another challenge was defining the visual identity of the project. Choosing the right colors to reflect warmth, trust, and human connection was not obvious at first. The balance between orange and beige required several adjustments.

Finally, working with AI tools like Lovable was sometimes challenging. It was not always easy to clearly express what I wanted, and I often had to try multiple times to get the desired result. However, these challenges were very valuable, as they taught me how to better communicate with AI and refine my ideas more precisely.

What's next for LinkAge ?

The next step for LinkAge is to turn this prototype into a real product by adding core features like authentication and data storage. I also want to test it in real conditions with retirement homes and users. Then, the goal is to refine the business model and scale the platform internationally to fight elderly loneliness at a larger scale.

Built With

• capcut
• lovable