Amidst a growing shortage of healthcare professionals, AI technology is emerging as a vital tool to bridge the care gap, particularly for older adults. A significant portion of this population struggles with medication adherence, a challenge a new AI-driven app called "Together" aims to address.

This free iPhone app leverages generative AI to assist older adults and their caregivers in managing medications and other healthcare tasks. Users simply photograph their prescription bottles, and the app's AI automatically extracts essential information, including medication details and patient-specific instructions.

Dr. Renee Dua, the app's creator, drew inspiration from her own experience as a caregiver for her parents. "Together" streamlines tasks like appointment scheduling, medication refills, and vital sign tracking, facilitating data sharing with loved ones for enhanced care coordination.

From a single prescription bottle image, the app can identify the prescribing physician, pharmacy details, dosage, refill dates, and any specific warnings. This information can then be used to construct a comprehensive medical history and offer personalized preventive care recommendations, such as suggesting kidney checks for patients taking metformin.

Recognizing that technology adoption can be a hurdle for some older adults, "Together" prioritizes simplicity and user-friendliness. The app eliminates manual data entry, allowing users to access critical information effortlessly.

Beyond medication management, "Together" stores healthcare provider information, enabling easy access to contact details and prescribed medications. It also utilizes selfies to monitor vital signs like blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Furthermore, the app facilitates appointment management by allowing users to photograph appointment cards for automatic calendar integration and sharing with family members.

While emphasizing that "Together" is a supportive tool, not a replacement for traditional healthcare, Dr. Dua highlights its potential to improve patient adherence to medical advice. The app has received positive feedback from physicians, who appreciate its ability to streamline routine tasks and facilitate data sharing.

Prioritizing user privacy, "Together" is HIPAA-compliant and only shares data with authorized individuals. Future updates will include features like insurance card scanning, intake form uploads, and voice-based stress and anxiety monitoring.

Currently available for free on the Apple App Store, "Together" will soon be accessible on the Google Play Store for Android users.