Innovative Companies Target Caregiver Shortage Public Health Crisis
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Caregiver Accelerator entrepreneur training program selects the class of 2018 after receiving a record number of applications. Administered by REUNIONCare, Inc. and sponsored by AARP Innovation and AARP Florida, the Caregiver Accelerator's mission is to seek out and nurture innovative companies in the caregiving space. AARP Caregiving Innovation Frontier report identifies six critical areas of economic opportunity for startups including: daily activities essential, health and safety awareness, care coordination, transitions support, social well-being, and caregiver quality of life. AARP reports that 117 million Americans will need some level of service by 2020, which represents a predicted $72 billion industry, most of which comes directly from the caregiver/consumer's pocket.
This public health crisis is spurring innovation with new technologies, delivery models and solutions to address this overwhelming demand at the Caregiver Accelerator. REUNIONCare has been operating the program for AARP since 2016 working with 35 emerging companies. Today, AARP Innovation Labs and AARP Florida are sponsoring a new round of incubating new companies to meet this growing demand. Nigel Smith, Director of AARP Innovations explains why they are sponsoring the Caregiver Accelerator:
"AARP Innovation Labs works with startups, accelerators and the innovation community to influence, shape and co-create products and services that empower people to choose how they live as they age. There are roughly 40 million caregivers in the USA today who struggle with the complexities, stress and sheer hard work of being a caregiver. The opportunity for disruptive solutions and business models to positively impact this important and growing segment of society has never been greater. We are thrilled with the startups selected for the Caregiving Accelerator, and the promise of disruptive impact that they all provide."
The eight companies selected for the 2018 Caregiver Accelerator are:
Companion Call for Help https://www.companionhelp.com/ voice activated medical alert from Sarasota Florida.
Memory Well https://www.memory-well.com/ collaborative interactive timelines from Washington D.C.
Alz You Need http://www.alzyouneed.com/ recommended technology for dementia caregiving from Chicago, Illinois.
Under One Roof http://www.underoneroof.com/ estate agency business products and services from Nova Scotia, Canada.
Help-Full http://help-full.com/ matching app for companion compatible helpers
Beacon Oncology Nurse Advocates http://www.beaconadvocates.com/ expert guidance and advocacy when you need it most from St. Petersburg, Florida.
AI Video Analytics https://www.aivideoanalytics.com/ empowering family caregivers to safeguard and optimize the quality of life of a parent from Sarasota, Florida.
TechUrElders https://www.techurelders.com/ the right caregiving technology to help you care smarter from New York, New York.
These emerging companies are participating in a six-week virtual business training program led by Darren Wendroff, CEO of CareSpotter and Tony Cowan, Director of Emergency Response Technology at World Housing Solutions both located in Orlando Florida, as well as technology moderator JR Keene, CEO of Vital Consulting located in St. Petersburg Florida. The final pitch competition will be held on September 17, 2018 at The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg Florida. The Accelerator companies will present a six-minute summary of their innovation in front of a live audience and watch parties hosted by AARP Florida. Leslie Spencer, AARP Florida Associate State Director and Caregiving Lead describes this event as "an important example of engaging the power of the private sector to solve social problems -- in this case, supporting family caregivers as they care for frail loved ones. The people driving these start-ups are very often caregivers themselves, and they are leveraging their own experience to transform this space in ways that can benefit everyone."
The Caregiver Accelerator engages the community stakeholders including innovation centers, health care companies, community-based services, government leaders and others to make this program successful. Opportunities to become a sponsor and/or promotional partner in this expansion are available by contacting [email protected] or 727-228-2871.
About REUNIONCare Inc.:
REUNIONCare is a certified female owned business located in The Innovation Lab @ Poynter Institute in Saint Petersburg, Florida. REUNIONCare is empowering Healthcare Professionals to Better Serve Their Communities Through/With Personalized Care. REUNIONCare's Provider Gateway and Circle of Care technology are the population health tools used by healthcare providers and payers to optimize their patients' care experience and reduce costly errors. Download our free app CreditForCaring from the Google Play or Apple Itunes.
About AARP
Updated June 22, 2017: AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit http://www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.
Media Contact: David Bruns, AARP Florida state office, 8505775161, [email protected]
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SOURCE AARP Services, Inc.
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