Health IT, Startups

Match.com for caregiver seekers, tools to conquer social isolation among innovative ideas for aging finalists

  A competition to encourage innovative healthcare products geared toward people 50 years and older […]

 

A competition to encourage innovative healthcare products geared toward people 50 years and older who are frequently overlooked by digital health companies has selected 10 finalists for an upcoming conference held by the American Association for Retired Persons. The companies selected for AARP Health Innovation@50+ LivePitch span behavioral health and provide video access to physicians and healthcare professionals as part of their systems, centralize healthcare data and help people overcome one of the unpleasant realities of aging for many: social isolation.

The finalists will get the opportunity to pitch venture and angel investors and its target audience: AARP consumers, according to a statement from the association. Two winners will be chosen among the finalists — one by investors and the other by the AARP members.

Improving social isolation

GeriJoy, a member of healthcare startup accelerator Blueprint Health’s current class, uses gaming and health IT as a way to break down some of the unpleasant realities of aging: loneliness. Its virtual, “talking dog” Buddy (pictured above) uses some low-level artificial intelligence like when it responds to its owner’s touch, and people from the company read aloud news , weather and any messages or tweets from family members. It can also talk back to users when prompted. It is designed to be used with tablet computers and is intended to act like a companion without the mess and upkeep.

Caregiver matching

A veritable Match.com for caregiver seekers, CareLinx provides users with thousands of caregiver profiles to vet. Unlike Match.com, it lets users do background checks on potential hires and video interviews with them.  In April, it raised $1.5 million to help advance the company’s business.

Facilitating doctor visits

1DocWay is a telemedicine startup that’s a graduate of Dreamit Ventures‘ New York program and a winner of Wharton School of Business’ Wharton Venture Award earlier this year. The company facilitates access to hospitals for underserved patient clinics and nursing facilities, with an eye to making healthcare more accessible to people in underserved areas in the U.S.

AbilTo administers remote behavioral health programs through Web-based videoconferences or phone to help individuals manage depression  and improve health outcomes as a way to reduce avoidable medical expenses.

MedClimate has a secure communications platform that provides an easy, cost-effective way to connect patients with their preferred provider. MedClimate uses a mobile platform that delivers a higher quality of care for all patients and increases accessibility of consultative “visits” to the doctor.

Organizing healthcare data

Chicago-based CareTree.me is a Web-based platform to centralize information online and facilitate collaboration between individuals, doctors, their families and caregivers.

GenieMD in Pleasanton, California has a cloud-based healthcare platform accessible by mobile devices and the Internet to help users manage their medication adherence, track vitals, log exercise, generate health reports and provide health-related consumer content.

LivWell Health has a health IT service for seniors living independently at home, and for families seeking help in their care. Subscribers can access a Web-based care coordination system online where they can get assistance finding service providers like a handyman, obtain educational materials to prepare for an upcoming physician visit, book vetted service providers and have a video conversation with the service.

Patient monitoring

Evermind is a Nashville, Tennessee company that monitors electronic appliances individuals use as part of their daily routines, to reassure family members and as a lookout for any deviation from their daily rituals that could be a warning sign of health concerns.

Boston-based QMedic‘s system sends automated behavioral alerts to caregivers and protects seniors even when they are unable to press the emergency button. Users wear a wristband at all times.

Shares0
Shares0