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FamiliLink is unique compared to other websites and software offerings that focus primarily on caregiving resources and support, whereas FamiliLink's purpose is to improve the communication between the family and their aging loved ones while making it possible to engage the care recipient in the processFamiliLink empowers family members to provide care support and include older loved ones in their digital lives.a much needed solution to bridge the generations from a technology point of view. Communication and engagement are vital for successful aging in the home. Proper communication between seniors, their family members and caregivers allows for connected relationships, participation in society and FamiliLink succeeds on both fronts.It connects and keeps seniors in the digital loop while allowing caring support from their family and caregivers. All adult children should consider FamiliLink for their aging parents, they and their parents will benefit from it.
Portola Valley, CA June 25, 2009 -- FamiliLink today announced the official launch of the company. Founded in 2007 by Laura Nuhaan, CEO and Co-Founder and Inger Rarick, VP of Marketing and Co-Founder, the team has been working extensively with savvy industry leaders, renowned geriatric specialists, care facilities, and seasoned technology executives to bring their product to market-ready status.
Screen shot of typical FamiliLink Home Page
Adults over the age of 80 are the fastest growing segment of the population and their care is falling square on the shoulders of their baby boomer children, some 77 million strong. Often referred to as the "sandwich generation" since they are not only caring for children at home, they're in charge of caring for their aging parents as well.
The company competed as a Finalist in last week's 2009 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit & Business plan competition in the Elevator Pitch category. The Summit features a new Forum for entrepreneurs and businesses, who are introducing products and services of benefit to the 45+ baby boomer market, to meet the industry's leading Venture Capitalists, experts and analysts and compete for cash prizes.
"FamiliLink is unique compared to other websites and software offerings that focus primarily on caregiving resources and support, whereas FamiliLink's purpose is to improve the communication between the family and their aging loved ones while making it possible to engage the care recipient in the process," said Laura Nuhaan, FamiliLink's CEO and Co-Founder. "FamiliLink empowers family members to provide care support and include older loved ones in their digital lives."
Unlike other websites for seniors as well as standard social media sites, FamiliLink does not require the users to become part of a social network or join another family group site, or to change their regular online behavior in order to stay connected and part of the digital lives of their friends and family.
Family members are looking for ways to include their aging loved ones in their digital lives and help with (remote) care support using the Internet and modern technology. However there are two main barriers that prevent seniors from doing so: The Internet itself is too complex to navigate for most seniors and there is a communication gap between generations. More and more seniors are going online, however their main communication tool is email while their younger family members and friends are using a variety of communication methods and social network sites; texting, social media, photo and video sharing. Therefore it is hard for the senior to keep up. FamiliLink overcomes these barriers and keeps the senior in the digital loop with a simple, senior-friendly interface while their family members don't have to change their communication preferences. FamiliLink brings all the digital content of videos and photos together with medication reminders and health tips together at one simple, intuitive website for the older adult.
Laurie Orlov, leading industry analyst, Aging in Place Technology Watch, refers to FamiliLink as "a much needed solution to bridge the generations from a technology point of view. Communication and engagement are vital for successful aging in the home. Proper communication between seniors, their family members and caregivers allows for connected relationships, participation in society and FamiliLink succeeds on both fronts." She adds, "It connects and keeps seniors in the digital loop while allowing caring support from their family and caregivers. All adult children should consider FamiliLink for their aging parents, they and their parents will benefit from it."
In developing the site, the company worked with senior focus groups to produce a well-tested UI and to ensure the final product was elegant and simple, but yet not dummied down. As an AARP study reported, as people age, they are looking for connectivity, but also experience cognitive and physical decline which can prevent older adults from using the computer as they did before. FamiliLink allows seniors to stay in touch with family and caregivers which increases their well being and helps them to age in place, even as they continue to age.
About FamiliLink
FamiliLink provides web based services to empower family members to easily connect with their non tech savvy aging loved ones and help them with caring support. Co-founded by Laura Nuhaan and Inger Rarick in 2007. There is a $4.99 monthly fee with the first 2,000 being free. To learn more visit the company's website www.familiLink.com, Facebook and Twitter account.
Press Contact:
Alex Skillman, 415-342-6425
