ElderCare Connect This project proposes the development of a voice-activated AI system that allows elderly and visually impaired individuals in minority communities to ask healthcare-related questions over a phone call. The system will provide instant responses on topics like chronic disease management, medication instructions, and general health information. By using an easily accessible voice interface, the app will address the specific healthcare needs of populations who may face barriers to accessing modern telehealth services due to digital literacy, visual impairments, or limited resources.
Most existing telehealth services require smartphones or web access, limiting their reach to those with higher digital literacy. This project innovates by offering a solution that is entirely accessible through simple phone interactions—overcoming barriers to technology use and improving health outcomes for a vulnerable group. Additionally, by focusing on minority communities, this project aligns culturally relevant health information and services to meet their unique needs.
The ElderCareConnect, users can call 855-785-3838 to interact with the AI voice system, which provides health-related assistance, reminders, and answers to general or specific healthcare questions. This dedicated phone line ensures easy access for elderly users, particularly those with limited digital literacy, offering a seamless experience for managing daily health tasks and getting medical information over the phone. By incorporating this phone number, the app makes health support more accessible to users who may not be comfortable using mobile or digital applications.
Technologies Used ASP.NET Core: Used for building the backend of the voice interaction service. Twilio: Provides the telephony services for managing phone calls and capturing user input via speech or keypad input. OpenAI GPT: Integrated to provide intelligent and dynamic responses to healthcare-related questions based on natural language input.
One major challenge was ensuring that the voice recognition system could accurately understand a wide variety of accents and dialects, given the diverse population we were aiming to serve. Another challenge we faced was getting the system to answer relevant and complex questions with no safety implications to the user. Additionally, creating culturally relevant responses for diverse communities while maintaining medical accuracy posed challenges in content development.
We are proud of successfully building a system that is accessible via a simple phone call, which makes healthcare assistance available to elderly and blind users who may not be comfortable using smartphones or other digital devices. Our integration of culturally relevant, multilingual responses ensures that the system is not just technologically advanced but also sensitive to the needs of diverse communities. Collaborating with local clinics and community health workers to ensure real-world impact was another accomplishment we are proud of.
We learned that building accessible healthcare technology goes beyond just software development—it involves understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by the communities you are trying to serve. We also realized the importance of collaboration with healthcare providers and community organizations in ensuring the success and real-world applicability of the app. Additionally, we learned the complexities involved in voice recognition for diverse populations and the value of user feedback in refining the app.
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