January 2nd, 2010
By Laura Nuhaan, CEO and Founder FamiliLink.
The year ended good for FamiliLink with a great article in LA times that referred to FamiliLink as one of the applications that make technology more senior friendly. ”
Internet, simplified So much communication, photo sharing and scheduling among family and friends has migrated to the Internet that not being online means being out of the loop. FamiliLink is an example of a Web-based portal that brings together a number of the most popular online functions in a single hub with a simplified, user-friendly interface. Read the article here
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cover20-2009dec20,0,673583.story?page=2
And if that was not enough, FamiliLink also got the best of 2009 award. ”
We really appreciate the amount of attention, research, and testing Famililink has done to their web application for the elderly. I have relatives who are intimidated by the internet and dealing with things like email, photos and video so I had a great test base to go with. I can say the increased font size, use of colors, large tabs and action triggers are fantastic. But the best part of Famililink is the ability to co-manage a persons account. If grandpa is unable to deal with something you can login with your own account and help him out provided you have set permissions to do so an absolute awesome feature……” Read more here http://www.nerdstalker.com/2009/12/best-of-2009-nerd-stalker-awards.html
Vote for us in the Keiretsu Angel Vator Competition http://vator.tv/competition/show/keiretsu-forum-competition#participants
And in the Women led start up competition http://vator.tv/competition/show/catalyst-competition–awarding-leading-women-led-startups
Thanks. Looking forward to a senior tech friendly 2010!
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December 15th, 2009
By Inger H. Rarick, co-Founder, FamiliLink
Well, the holidays are here and FamiliLink seems to be a popular gift for families to give to their older loved ones. We have had a record number of users signing up this month. For those worried about on an older loved one, FamiliLink makes it super easy to provide care and support by keeping your loved one in the ‘digital loop’. If you are concerned about tech support for your loved one, you should seriously check out this site: Senior’s Guide to Computers at http://www.seniorsguidetocomputers.com/default.asp. They offer plain English solutions to all your computer questions. We are thrilled to be partnering with them.
Another new partner is Crossloop. I use this with my mom in Florida on a regular basis. You know when you get that call from your parent or grandparent that says something like…”I know I saved the photos somewhere on my computer, but now I don’t know where they are?” Or that call that says…”How do I delete these files?” Anyway, it can be soooo frustrating trying to talk your loved one through that tech issue without really being at their computer, right?! Well, Crossloop allows you to take control of your parent’s computer screen. You see what they see on their computer and they can just sit back and watch what you do. It is BRILLIANT! I know there are other computer solutions that also do this…but this is the first one that I found that is really easy to for my mom to install and super easy for me to use. We have solved so many tech issues that typically would have frustrated us both!
So between FamiliLink, Senior’s Guide to Computers and Crossloop…your older loved one should be all set to be digitally connected in the New Year!! 
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November 7th, 2009
After last week’s panel at UCLA’s event on aging and technology, FamiliLink received more interesting mentions in the news. A few recent articles are summarized below:
New York Times
“Last Thursday’s print and online article on tech solutions for older adults struck a chord with many readers, a number of whom wrote that the suggestions proved helpful in their quest to get their parents connected to the Internet. But as typically happens with tech stories, I also received several notes about products that I had been remiss in mentioning. I can now remedy that; here are two worthy additions: Staying in Touch FamiliLink combines several of the features of other providers of simplified Internet interfaces, and puts them into one package.
Killerstartups.com
“With the possibilities that the social web brings in terms of connectivity, it is certainly a shame that older people are sometimes left out of the picture because they are not proficient enough so as to sit in front of a desktop and find their way there. .. Why it might be a killer To me, older people are the ones who could enjoy all the content on the social web best – it is a definitive way of avoiding feelings of loneliness. This solution goes some way into making that possible. I think we will all agree the site is not only useful but actually laudable. It is the first of its kind I come across, and I frankly wish there were many more like it. But this one will more than suffice for the time being.”
Blogher
“I’m thinking, if we connect my grandmother to the digital world. I am convinced that my grandmother, once a worldly, vivacious woman, would embrace this portal to the here-and-now with a little coaching, especially if it meant special attention from her great-grand children! We may join a service, like Famililink.com, which is a site that allows families to establish personal websites by which they can connect with and provide care support for older family members. On the simplified FamiliLink format, you can set-up your page with email and a calendar. You can also send and receive photos.”
We find this press to be very encouraging and feel the market is beginning to wake up… Thanks for all your support.
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October 22nd, 2009
By Laura Nuhaan CEO and co-founder FamiliLink
We were one of the demos at another great SF New Tech last Thursday 10/14/09. There were more than 200 people that came to watch the tech demos from some awesome companies. Among them were Bodukai, YourVersion, MeeHive, ZoomPool, and Plurchase. FamiliLink was quite different because the majority of the companies presenting are geared towards younger people while we are addressing the aging population and their families. All these new technologies are great for us to stay in touch with our friends, but it becomes even more difficult for seniors to keep up. They are basically left out of the digital lives of the younger generations. We have created FamiliLink to make it possible for less tech savvy seniors to become connected.
Some photos of the event here.
Also thanks to Kosmix for mentioning FamiliLink in their blog covering the event…
Posted in 1 | 215 Comments »
October 19th, 2009
By Laura Nuhaan, CEO and co founder
Interesting article about telehealth shows that digitial divide between seniors and younger generations is a barrier in telehealth. Read more here. From this article: Blacker (AT&T) said lack of access to technology is a problem, especially among the elderly. “The ‘digital divide’ is a big problem because senior… citizens are the
group that is least likely to use digital technology,” West said.
It’s FamiliLink’s mission to overcome the digital divide!
Tags: Add new tag, internet and older adults, Older adults and technology, older adults digital connected, senior and technology, Seniors and internet, Seniors and loneliness, simple website for seniors
Posted in 1 | 8 Comments »
October 13th, 2009
Very happy with this tv coverage. Another proof that the market for making technology accessible to seniors is getting ready.
Posted in 1 | 19 Comments »
October 9th, 2009
By, Inger Rarick, co-Founder FamiliLink
Everyone knows caregiving is a huge responsibility. In fact studies show that more than 50 million people, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year! The typical family caregiver is a 46-year-old woman caring for her widowed mother who does not live with her. She is married and employed. Approximately 60% of family caregivers are women. 30% of family caregivers caring for seniors are themselves aged 65 or over; another 15% are between the ages of 45 to 54. More surprising facts can be found at the National Family Caregiving Association (NCFA).
We found a great site that can really help you feel supported as you navigate through this care giving process, Carebuzz. Carebuzz’s mission is to help family caregivers find hope, trust, and care while helping aging relatives remain healthy and safe. What I find most useful is their onging tips posted at twitter…every time I log into my twitter account, I see some sort of new, friendly and helpful post from Carebuzz. It is very re-assuring knowing that you are not alone while having to manage all things associated with care giving. Carebuzz certainly helps you feel supported! Check out their twitter at: http://twitter.com/Carebuzz
Tags: aging, care, carebuzz, caregiver, caregiving, family caregiving, help, loved ones, support
Posted in 1 | 3 Comments »
September 23rd, 2009
Read this interesting report on Aging in the Business Week of September 21. A strong indication that the market for aging in place is getting ready. FamiliLink should be included in a next report for sure as we empower family members to provide caring support by including elderly parents and loved ones in the digital loop. Read the report here.
Posted in 1 | 111 Comments »
September 15th, 2009
By Inger Rarick, Co-Founder FamiliLink
A new study this month posted by the AMA (American Medical Association) shows that older adults who continue or begin to do ANY amount of exercise appear to live longer and have a lower risk of disability. The study spanned over 15 years and included almost 2000 participants. Some findings included: “Physical activity may delay the spiral of decline that begins with inability to perform daily activities and continues through illness and death by improving cardiovascular fitness, slowing loss of muscle mass, reducing fat, improving immunity and suppressing inflammation.” Click here to see the study.
What I find most significant is that institutions are FINALLY investing money and resources into doing studies on older adults. Almost all of the studies in the past conducted on the benefits and/or harms of exercise have focused on people under the age of 65. This is the first significant studies about how exercise can impact the well-being of older adults.
Certainly this is a step in the right direction. As our population ages (by 2020 there will be 54M older adults…compared to today’s 35M older adults) it is clear that resources must be spent TODAY on learning more about our aging population and what we can do to improve health and well being as we age. The next step is to start investing in technologies and services that will truly impact older adults. At FamiliLink, we know that staying physically active, socially connected, and cognitively stimulated are key success factors to happy aging. With FamiliLink, it is easy to have your older loved one “digitally connected” so you can provide support using the computer and internet. Imagine what you can do once your loved one is “connected”… share digital content (photos and videos), help them with reminders for medications, exercise schedules, important appointments, play brain games together with them and so much more.
I hope institutions continue to do age-specific studies such as the one above, then perhaps investors and corporations will begin to focus on this generation.
Tags: Easy email, easy way to stay in touch, FamiliLink, internet and older adults, older adults digital connected, senior and technology, senior friendly, seniors and computers, seniors and exercise
Posted in 1 | 119 Comments »
August 24th, 2009
By Inger Rarick, Co-Founder FamiliLink
Just came across this organization called SCAN. The SCAN Foundation is an independent charitable foundation focused on finding innovative solutions to the healthcare needs of California seniors. It is one of the nation’s largest foundations dedicated to the needs of the elderly. The organization’s vision is a society where seniors receive medical treatment and human services that are integrated in the setting most appropriate to their needs and with the greatest likelihood of a healthy, independent life.
SCAN supports and funds The Center for Technology and Aging, which just released a brief titled “Technologies To Help Older Adults Maintain Independence: Advancing Technology Adoption,” that describes seven technology areas with significant potential of improving chronic health care and increasing the independence of older adults, while reducing health care costs.
The center’s mission is to support the adoption and diffusion of technologies that help seniors lead healthier lives and enable them to remain in their communities. The briefing paper focuses on areas that are ready for expansion, including two technology areas for the Center’s first round of grant making — remote patient monitoring and medication optimization. The Center will release its first request for proposals in September.
We commend The Center for Technology and Aging for tackling such an important undertaking. We look forward to participating in the September RFP process as we feel FamiliLink’s technology plays a significant role in helping older adult remain independent and feel part of the “digital loop”.
Click HERE to see the brief.
Tags: Center for Technology and Aging, FamiliLink, Older adults and technology
Posted in 1 | 28 Comments »
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