Dearly
TEAM
Abby Sheets
Athena Rondeau
Matt Meerov
Pearl McNames
CLIENT
Student Work
YEAR
2025
What We Did
We created Dearly, the dating and community building app for seniors who need a way to build relationships by offering a variety of ways to connect with others while prioritizing safety, inclusivity, and ease of use.
The Problem
Older folks crave connection but due to technological and physical barriers it can be hard to find. Through interviews with senior citizens, we identified goals to conquer the biggest hurdles that older folks face when finding lasting connections through technology.
Goal 01
Ease of use and step by step tutorials
Older people tend to not be as tech-savvy as younger generations. They often have people help them with technology, which can deter them from seeking intimate connections.
Goal 02
Foster connections of all kinds
Not all senior citizens want romantic connections, which is why traditional dating apps don’t suit their needs for finding relationships.
Goal 03
Promote connection offline
Older users have concerns about privacy and aren’t interested in making connections through the internet.
A place to organize your schedule and access help on every screen
Users can view exactly what they signed up for as soon as they open the app. No searching necessary.
Users can find the accessibility settings and enter tutorial mode at any point in the Dearly journey.
Find and sign up for events off of the app
Seniors told us that authentic connections felt impossible through a phone and they didn’t necessarily want to meet just romantic partners. So Dearly can be a touchpoint for finding others to connect with.
The experience of a traditional dating app
Some seniors still enjoy the traditional dating app format, and due to physical disabilities, some seniors desire to connect from home. Seniors can view other people's profiles and chat with them through the app.
Explore Process
The whole case study is available upon request
See More Work
©2026 Abby Sheets