Sully Senior Center Pilot Study

I recently had the opportunity to conduct a pilot study at the Sully Senior Center with a diverse group of seniors representing various cultural backgrounds and life experiences. It was incredibly rewarding to observe how differently each participant engaged with Sage based on their individual needs and daily routines.

Several participants joined the session after taking part in group activities such as an exercise class and pickleball, which gave us the chance to see how the app could complement both their physical and mental wellness routines. Many were already proactive about staying active, and they appreciated how Sage could extend that engagement beyond physical movement into cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

A Calm Presence When It's Needed Most

One senior gentleman was particularly intrigued by the Talk feature. He shared that he has been feeling increasingly lonely, especially as a close family member is currently facing a life-altering health condition. He explained that while he tries to stay strong, there are moments when he feels overwhelmed. When he explored the Talk feature and received gentle suggestions such as practicing deep breathing, engaging in relaxation techniques, and focusing on grounding exercises, he was genuinely surprised by how comforting and supportive the interaction felt. He described it as having a "calm presence" available when he needed it most, which highlighted the importance of accessible emotional support for seniors navigating personal challenges.

Measurable Progress, Not Just Play

Another participant was especially drawn to the brain games section. She expressed appreciation for how the app not only provided engaging cognitive activities but also offered clear visual feedback showing areas for improvement, such as attention focus and memory recall. She mentioned that this insight motivated her to continue practicing because she could see measurable progress rather than simply playing a game without understanding its purpose. The structured feedback gave her a sense of empowerment and control over her cognitive health.

Language That Feels Like Home

An Iranian senior shared how meaningful it was to access the app in Farsi. Being able to navigate the app in her native language made her feel more confident and independent. She was especially impressed by how seamlessly the language integration worked, noting that it made the experience feel inclusive and thoughtfully designed for seniors from diverse backgrounds.

Overall, the pilot reinforced how Sage addresses not just one aspect of senior wellness, but multiple dimensions: emotional support, cognitive engagement, cultural inclusivity, and independence. Seeing firsthand how different individuals connected with different features confirmed that personalized, accessible technology can play a meaningful role in enhancing quality of life.