MedApp
A tool empowering older adults to easily record and manage their medication intake
Overview
01
Problem
Many older adults face challenges when it comes to consistently tracking and managing their daily medications. Factors such as memory decline, vision impairments, and difficulty using complex digital tools can make this task overwhelming. Despite the critical nature of medication adherence, most existing apps are not designed with the needs and limitations of older users in mind—leaving them underserved by today’s digital health solutions.
Goal
The goal of this project is to design a simple, accessible medication tracking app that supports older adults in confidently managing their daily medications. The app aims to reduce cognitive load, enhance clarity, and empower users with intuitive interactions tailored to their needs and abilities.
5 weeks
Timeline
My role
Product Design, Prototyping, UX Research
02
Understanding our Users
I interviewed 8 adults over the age of 60 to better understand their experiences with medication management and the role technology plays in that process. I focused on how they currently keep track of their medications, any frustrations they face, and whether they’ve used medication tracking apps.
Key findings from the interviews include:
Most participants admitted they occasionally forget to take their medications.
None of the participants had found a medication app they felt was truly designed for their needs or easy to use.
Several individuals mentioned accidentally running out of medication due to a lack of tracking or reminders.
Some participants reported confusing different pills, especially after a medication change or refill.
Research
‘‘ I am really struggling with managing all the medication I have to take. My daughters are starting to get worried.”
-Research participant
User Persona
I created a persona based on the goals and pain points collected from the research with the 8 adults
User Journey Map
To better understand the experience of our users, I created a user journey map that identifies key moments and tasks that cause anxiety or frustration. This helped me pinpoint where users may struggle, allowing us to design more intuitive and supportive solutions.
Pain Points
From there, I made a list of the main pain points I found through research.
Forgetting to take pills
Most users expressed they have forgotten to take their medication quite a number of times
Losing track of pills taken
The users I interviewed have difficulty keeping track of the pills they have and have not taken in a day
Running out
Users usually forget they are about to run out and that they need to refill soon
Competitive analysis
To identify gaps in current medication tracking app experiences, I analyzed popular apps such as Dr. Pills and MedList Pro. This helped me pinpoint areas where improvements could be made, as well as features that could inspire a more user-friendly and effective design.
Ideation
03
Brainstorm
With these insights in mind, I set out to develop a solution. I led a brainstorming session with some of my research participants, where we generated ideas to address the identified pain points. The key takeaways from the session were:
Setting alarms as reminders to ensure timely medication intake.
Creating a simple, predictable flow to make the process easy to follow.
Using images of pills to reduce confusion and prevent medication mix-ups.
Incorporating color cues to clearly indicate when medication has or hasn't been taken.
Initial sketches
Based on the user pain points and insights from the brainstorming session, I sketched out several possible solutions. I then selected the best features from each concept and combined them into a low-fidelity mockup. Guided by research, I focused on incorporating key elements into the screens to address user needs:
A calendar or schedule view to help users easily track the times they need to take their medication.
A list of medications for the day, clearly displaying which medications need to be taken.
A progress tracker for the day, allowing users to see how much has been taken and what still needs to be taken.
Reminders and notifications to keep users informed and on track with their medication schedule.
Low Fidelity mockup
To visualize the user flow, I created low-fidelity mockups focusing on key features:
Login Screen: A password-protected login ensures privacy for sensitive medical information.
Home Screen: Displays the current weekday, a progress pie chart, and upcoming medications to address the issue of forgetting or losing track of doses.
Medication Screen: Shows detailed progress on each medication, including remaining doses, to prevent users from running out unexpectedly.
Calendar Screen: Allows users to view all medications taken on any selected day for easy tracking.
Health Tips Screen: Provides helpful health advice to keep users informed and engaged with their well-being.
Accessibility Considerations
Designing for older adults meant I had to keep accessibility at the center of every decision. I wanted the app to feel supportive and simple, even for someone unfamiliar with technology. Here’s what I focused on:
Larger text and icons
Increased font size and icon visibility to reduce eye strain and make reading easier without glasses.High-contrast colors
Used strong contrast between text and background, and clear colors for status indicators like missed or completed medication.Touch-friendly buttons
Made all interactive elements big and well-spaced for users with arthritis or reduced hand precision.Simplified task flows
Broke actions like adding medication into smaller, guided steps to reduce confusion and cognitive load.
04
Refinement of Design
Usability study findings
The high-fidelity designs were tested on a group of 10 adults and these were the main finding and changes made to the design based on these usability study findings
05
Final Design
Checking Off Medication
Users can easily check off medications as they take them and get instant visual feedback.
Missed pills turn red and display a clear warning, helping users notice skipped doses.
Tapping on a medication shows more details, reducing confusion—especially helpful when medications look similar or change over time.
Reminders & Appointments
To help users remember important tasks, the app includes a dedicated “Reminders” tab.
Displays upcoming doctor appointments and refill alerts in one place.
Clicking on a reminder shows additional info like date, time, location, or instructions.
Supports older users who may rely less on memory and more on visual cues.
Adding Medication
Users were overwhelmed by long forms, so the app uses a 3-step process to simplify adding medications:
Enter name and details
Set dosage times
Upload a photo of the pill or bottle
Each screen has no more than 2 steps, reducing mental load and making the process feel simple and manageable.
Friends & Family Accountability
To keep users on track, the app includes an optional support system.
Trusted family or friends can check the user’s medication progress.
They can send reminders if medication is missed.
A calendar view lets them see daily adherence patterns and help spot issues early.
06
Learnings and Takeaways
Impact
I tested the prototype with 10 older adults aged 62–79.
8 out of 10 users described the app as simple and easy to navigate.
7 out of 10 found it more intuitive than any medication app they had tried before (if any).
9 users said they would personally use the app to help manage their medications.
What I Learned
Iterating is essential; each round of feedback revealed new insights that made the design stronger.
Design must always be rooted in the user’s needs, and understanding older adults’ pain points shapes every decision.
Simplicity isn't a compromise, it’s a necessity, clear, accessible design leads to trust and ease of use.
Future Goals
Collaborate with developers and healthcare professionals to bring this tool to life.
Explore integration with a smart medication storage unit for real-time sync and refill tracking.
Continue refining the experience through ongoing testing with older adults and caregivers.