Elder Tech Startup Expands to Seven New States

Miami-based Papa , a platform to connect college students to senior citizens, announced they have expanded services to California, Illinois, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Papa is expanding beyond its current markets of 19 cities throughout Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Papa Pals support older adults with transportation, household chores, technology, and companionship. The Papa Pals are like “Grandkids On-demand!”

Growing with popular demand, Papa’s platform connects older adults with college students for companionship and assistance to aid the loneliness epidemic in aging adults.

“Loneliness has a huge negative impact on older adults’ lives and it’s a silent health epidemic people aren’t speaking about. The nucleus family is no longer together; people are busy and families are working. Older children want to give their parents and grandparents the support they need, so they send a Papa Pal. Our growth in new cities gives more people the chance to give their families the support they need.” – Andrew Parker, founder and CEO of Papa.

According to a study by Brigham Young University, loneliness shortens a person’s life by 15 years, which is about the same impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The AARP Loneliness study estimates that 42.6 million adults age 45 and older are chronically lonely.

“Our Papa Pals help the older adult they are taking care of as well as the caregiver. People need a support system they can rely on. With our expansion in new cities, we will be able to give our service to more aging adults and caregivers.” – COO Alfredo Vaasmonde.

By the end of 2019 Papa plans to open 20 new markets around the country.