Need Someone? Be someone

There is an App for that. Yes just about everything can be obtained through an app. Even just someone to talk to you, check up on you or spend some time with. There used to be family members to do that especially for their elderly relatives but the commitment just isn't there anymore by most people. Even if the elderly live with a family member, that family member needs a break for some time for themselves. How does that happen? They are overwhelmed too.

Well then hire some young people who would like some extra cash and would love flexible hours to supplement their very own busy lives. There is an app for that called Papa Pal. They pay by the hour and offer bonuses depending on how many hours you want to work per week. They call the site Grand kids on-demand. They connect students to older adults for companionship, assistance and transportation. So it is like a Grand kid on demand. It is a new site launched in 2018 originating in Florida and since then have expanded their service to Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Arizona and even more this year.I guess there is a demand for companionship on both sides of the outside world door and in the inside door of a trapped elderly person.

People's view of the world is rapidly changing. Ten years ago you wouldn't have slept in a random person's house but now we do with Air B&B. We wouldn't have gone for a ride in a random person's car but now we have UBER and LYFT rides. We all know that loneliness has a huge impact on older folks lives and they need simple social help. Their depression is evident when they don't eat much or don't come out of their room much. Old people love to talk about things all the time. They might not remember where they put their glasses but they will remember vividly a story or memory from 40 years ago and would love to tell that story again and again to someone, anyone. 

Young people can come to the rescue and listen to that story, make that cup of tea, share a meal even take a walk or push that wheelchair into the sunlight. Simple things but all so important things that we all need in a busy world. It is healthy for that companion to not have the pressures of college, their own kids or bossy employers. It is a fun easy way to decompress for them too and yet get paid. 

There are various ways to monetize the service but companionship helps us all and makes us kinder and gentler all of which our busy society needs now.