"The closest people to me are my parents and grandparents. My grandparents are old, so they have many problems, particularly health problems. I wanted to do more for my family. I wanted to do something to help the elderly, not only for their physical health but also their mental health, to help them live healthier, happier lives connected to others around them," said Thuy Anh.

Ngo Thuy Anh, founder of HASU-Vietnam’s app for the elderly. (Photo: VOV)

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented damage, pain, and loss to people around the world. Everyone has been affected to some degree. But the most vulnerable have been the elderly. 

Thuy Anh realized that old people fear a long illness and being a burden to their children and grandchildren. She said she created HASU because she wants older people's lives to have greater significance and quality.

"When the pandemic broke out, I asked myself, what can I do to give the elderly the tools to actively take care of their health, not just physically but also mentally, so they can live happily and enjoy life to the fullest? In the context of the pandemic, technology seemed the best solution," said Thuy Anh. 

HASU initially consisted of classes to teach people to use a smartphone and guide them in using it for home health care. Later, Thuy Anh created an app that helps older people maintain their health in three areas – physical, mental, and social.

"The HASU app is a personal healthcare assistant for elderly people. It helps maintain the elder's physical health through lectures, health advice, and home exercises and their mental health through meditation to improve sleep and relieve stress. There are links to online classes in music, singing, drawing, and foreign languages, as well as entertainment options. And HASU makes it easy for elders to communicate with others through online forums," she said. 

Thuy Anh has cooperated with clubs, agencies, and organizations to hold offline and online classes to teach the elderly to use smartphones and tablets and donate devices to those who can’t afford one.

When she launched HASU, Thuy Anh discovered to her surprise that older people understand smartphones and high tech much better than she thought.

"At first, I thought it would be difficult for the elderly to use new technology, so instead of making an app, I went in the direction of organizing classes to teach them how to use the technology. But I soon realized that the elderly are very good at using technology, and they teach each other how to use it," said Thuy Anh 

The HASU app has won multiple awards at startup competitions, including First Prize at the Youth Co:lab 2020 Social Impact Contest, Top 3 in the national round of the Entrepreneurship World Cup, and Finalist in the Entrepreneurship Asian Cup.