Successful Aging; How can we encourage intergenerational relationships via a digital platform that combines personal stories with food?

(Background) Life expectancy is increasing each year and the population of senior citizens, aged 65 and above, has increased significantly and will continue to increase in the coming years. By 2030, that number is expected to reach 988 million, or 12% of the world's population. More than 40% of all senior’s report loneliness, lack of communication, and limited social connections. Loneliness is a human phenomenon crossing all ages. The importance of life quality expressed in the well-known phrase: "Adding life to years and not just years to life" and this is often the challenge in working with the elderly.

During the research, while learning about the experience of aging; Maayan discovered that nostalgia & memories sharing can increase positive feelings and create meaning in the present. She focused on food as an all-sensories too with an ability to evoke forgotten and formative memories.

3 Main insights led Maayan while developing the solution: 1. Self-meaning through immortalization of personal & family heritage 2. The need for support and social solidarity & Interactions 3. The Elderly desire to create young, intergenerational friendships. Another relevant finding was the importance of consistency in providing solutions: One-time intervention will not create long-term and significant impact.

The final outcome is a social food app for two target groups: the first group is the elderly (as content makers) which provide their knowledge, tips, and rich experience in the kitchen. The second group is the younger generations which consume the stories, recipes and learn traditional cooking methods. The digital platform will form a strong base for intergenerational relationships and will offer the seniors to share their life story alongside the dish through video, photos, and text.
The app is based on dual profiles accounts (from a young and senior family member) and by doing so it is offering a bridge to overcome a generational, cultural and technological gap. The registration is open to the public but uploading recipes will only be allowed for a dual profile, in order to preserve the unique character of the platform.