Tag Archives: papa pals

College Students Connect with Older Adults in Miami During Coronavirus Pandemic

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa Inc, a Miami-based company that brings college students and older adults together, is providing wellbeing checks for isolated members, in partnership with AvMed.

During the current coronavirus pandemic, state and city governments have ordered social distancing to protect its citizens - especially older adults who may be more susceptible to COVID-19.

The problem with social distancing is the loneliness that comes with it and older adults - the very group we strive to protect - are also the most vulnerable, sometimes needing help shopping, doing household work, and just having someone to talk to.

Papa Inc, a Miami-based company that brings college students and older adults together, is providing wellbeing checks for isolated members, in partnership with AvMed.

The students, referred to as Papa Pals, provide companionship, light house chores, transportation, and technology assistance. During the pandemic, the "Pals" are conducting wellbeing checks to enrolled AvMed members, as well as virtual companionship via the telephone. Tasks include ordering groceries and refilling prescriptions, organizing emergency phone numbers, helping seniors register with telehealth programs, and simply lending an ear.

As part of the AvMed and Papa pilot program, Medicare Advantage members were supplied with up to nine hours of Papa Pal services per month.

A recent AARP study found that there is a 26 percent increased risk of early death due to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

"Loneliness and social isolation have many negative effects on older adults, including issues associated with the lack of transportation," said Founder and CEO Andrew Parker. "The COVID 19 crisis compounds these effects and our Pals have become a critical resource for members."

Companies like Papa and AvMed make a difference in helping aging seniors by providing necessary options for them to stay nourished and healthy while maintaining their social distance.

About Papa

Papa - Family On-Demand is a Miami startup that provides assistance and companionship to older adults and families throughout Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Virginia, California, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. Papa launched their service in January of 2018.

For more information, visit https://www.joinpapa.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/join_papa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinpapa/

About AvMed

AvMed is one of Florida's oldest and largest not-for-profit health plans, providing Medicare Advantage coverage in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, Individual and Family coverage in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, and coverage for Employer Groups in more than 30 counties

Papa Inc, a Miami-based company that brings college students and older adults together, is providing wellbeing checks for isolated members, in partnership with AvMed.

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Papa Partners with FlexCare to Expand Services to Families

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa, a nationwide provider for older adults and families announced today its partnership with FlexCare, LLC to provide employer groups Papa's nationwide services. This partnership allows FlexCare's employer groups to benefit from Papa Pals' companionship, transportation, technology assistance, and light household chores. Papa and FlexCare will start their partnership immediately and continue to alleviate the loneliness epidemic among family members and provide respite to employees.

"Papa is excited to welcome FlexCare to the partnership family as we continue to uplift employees' family members with face-to-face or virtual companionship visits," said Founder and CEO Andrew Parker.

Currently 1 in 6 Americans working full-time or part-time report assisting with the care of an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend (*see note 1). In an AARP study, 69% of working caregivers caring for a family member or friend reported they had to rearrange their work schedule, decrease their hours, or take an unpaid leave in order to meet their caregiving responsibilities. In fact, most caregivers experience at least one change in their employment due to caregiving such as cutting back work hours, taking a leave of absence, receiving a warning about performance/attendance, among others (*see note 2).

With Papa and FlexCare working together, the partnership can help improve unmet needs for care and improve access to care for older adults and families. This will also reduce stress and increase well-being for family caregivers who work full-time positions.

FlexCare is excited to partner with Papa in providing caregiver/companionship services to the employer market. We view this as a tremendous opportunity to provide a valuable benefit to employers and their employees, said Principal Lee Shoemake.

According to a recent study from Harvard Business School, businesses are oblivious to the number of employees who are caring for family at home.

It may seem, on the surface, that this is something businesses can just ignore, but in reality, as unemployment is dropping, the number of family caregivers is rising. That's only going to grow more as the cost of health care rises and our population ages. Almost 44 million people are acting as unpaid caregivers in the United States alone.

More than 80% of the employees surveyed said their caregiving duties impacted their work, yet less than 25% of employers felt that caregiving impacted the work of the very same employees.

FlexCare is committed to fulfilling this important employee benefit which will not only assist with reducing absenteeism but also provide a value benefit to each employee and their family members.

About Papa

Papa is a Miami startup that has evolved to Family-OnDemand and provides assistance and companionship to older adults and families throughout Florida, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kansas. Papa launched their service in January of 2018. For more information, visit https://www.joinpapa.com/.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/join_papa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinpapa/

About FlexCare

FlexCare, LLC is a leading telehealth provider of online and on-demand healthcare delivery services to private and public employers, associations, brokers, school systems and more. By using telehealth services instead of more expensive urgent care and ER visits, FlexCare, LLC TeleHealth cuts unnecessary costs and keeps members smiling (instead of waiting).

In addition to telemedicine and the Papa Caregiver/Companionship program, FlexCare TeleHealth also provides Dermatology, Behavioral Health and Telespine benefits.

Using their proprietary online administrative system, FlexCare seamlessly provides multiple employee benefits either bundled or unbundled which makes for ease of administration for employers.

Website: http://www.flexcare.com/

Dashboard: https://www.myflexcare.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlexCarePlus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexcare-telemedicine/?viewAsMember=true

Facebook: https://facebook.com/FlexCarePlus

Instagram: https://instagram.com/FlexCarePlus

Sources:
Note 1: https://www.caregiver.org/caregiver-statistics-work-and-caregiving
Note 2: https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/ppi/2015/caregiving-in-the-united-states-2015-report-revised.pdf

MULTIMEDIA:
* LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0305s2p-papa-inc-logo-300dpi.jpg

Papa, a nationwide provider for older adults and families announced today its partnership with FlexCare, LLC to provide employer groups Papa's nationwide services. This partnership allows FlexCare's employer groups to benefit from Papa Pals' companionship, transportation, technology assistance, and light household chores.

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Papa Partners with Higi to Support Health Screenings and Ongoing Support for Senior Citizens via Accessible Healthcare Technology

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa Inc., a leading provider for seniors and caregivers nationwide announced today its newest partnership with Higi, a healthcare technology company that operates a nationwide network of Smart Health Stations. Papa Members can now visit Higi's 10,000 stations, publicly available at grocery, pharmacy, and other community locations with assistance in transportation and technology usage from a Papa Pal.

At Higi's stations, Papa Members can routinely check their vitals and screen for health status and preventive care needs, and better understand the impact their lifestyle choices and habits can have on their health. Papa Members who have mobility problems, can no longer drive, have limited transportation options, live in rural areas, or lack companionship will benefit from Papa and Higi's partnership. Furthermore, Papa's Medicare Advantage Clients will benefit from having more information on the issues and health needs of their members.

"Our partnership with Higi creates an innovative way for seniors to understand their health needs and gain access to support for their long-term wellbeing," said Papa's Founder and CEO Andrew Parker. "We see a considerable potential partnering with Higi and providing preventive care options for seniors by incorporating Higi's vast, national network of retail-based Smart Stations."

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease account for seven out of ten deaths in the United States; these diseases are often preventable or manageable through early detection. Currently 45% of the U.S. population is living with at least one chronic disease, which can be crippling to someone's quality of life if left undiagnosed or untreated (*See Note 1).

"We believe that partnering with Papa will give older adults the opportunity to learn more about their health, and in doing so, more reasons to use the benefits provided by their health plans," said Higi CEO Jeff Bennett. "By including a Higi Station visit when Papa Pals bring their senior companions to the grocery store or pharmacy, we're adding to the long-term benefits of companionship and transportation offered by Papa by creating an opportunity to capture a broader picture health."

*Note 1: Sources: (PDF) https://www.fightchronicdisease.org/sites/default/files/docs/GrowingCrisisofChronicDiseaseintheUSfactsheet_81009.pdf

About Papa

Papa is a Miami startup that has Grandkids On-Demand who provide assistance and companionship to senior citizens throughout Florida, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kansas. Papa launched their service in January of 2018. For more information, visit https://www.joinpapa.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/join_papa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinpapa/

About Higi

Higi is a consumer health engagement company making it easier for all people to measure, track and act on their health data through a free nationwide network of over 10,000 FDA-cleared self-screening Smart Health Stations located in pharmacy retailers and other community points of trust. Enhanced by over 80 different third-party integrations (i.e. apps, devices, monitors, EHRs and more), Higi's Smart Health Stations connect across the existing healthcare ecosystem, bridging station activity with digital tools to interact with consumers on the go and extend engagement, making it easier for consumers to remain active in their health.

Healthcare stakeholders use Higi as a new access point to better reach, connect with and activate targeted populations; collect biometric and other health determinant data to stratify and prioritize; motivate consumers to take specific actions at a point of care or within the expanding care ecosystem activated by Higi connectivity. To date, more than 58 million people have used a Higi station to conduct over 335 million biometric tests. For more information, visit us at https://higi.com/.

Papa Inc., a leading provider for seniors and caregivers nationwide announced today its newest partnership with Higi, a healthcare technology company that operates a nationwide network of Smart Health Stations. Papa Members can now visit Higi's 10,000 stations, publicly available at grocery, pharmacy, and other community locations with assistance in transportation and technology usage from a Papa Pal.

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Papa and Aetna Announce Collaboration in Florida for Medicare Advantage Members

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa Inc., a leading provider for seniors and Medicare Advantage Members announced today its collaboration with Aetna, a CVS Health company. Papa connects local college students, known as "Papa Pals," to older adults who need help with companionship, house chores and technology lessons. Certain Medicare Advantage members who live in Florida and have one or more chronic conditions will be eligible to receive assistance with Papa Pals starting January 1, 2020.

"Loneliness and social isolation have many negative effects on older adults, including issues associated with the lack of transportation," said Founder and CEO Andrew Parker. "We are excited to work with Aetna in areas of Florida to help more seniors with companionship. We are happy to continue our journey combatting the loneliness epidemic with Aetna."

A recent AARP study found that there is a 26 percent increased risk of early death due to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. As health declines, it is more common for seniors to experience increased symptoms. AARP also found that 46 percent of women ages 75 or older live alone (*see note 1). Another study by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) found that loneliness is more dangerous than obesity and is as hurtful to the body as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (*see note 2).

Companies like Papa and Aetna make a difference in helping aging seniors by providing necessary options for them to stay a part of a community and alleviate social isolation and loneliness.

"Social isolation is a crisis, especially among seniors," noted Dr. Robert Mirsky, Chief Medical Officer for Aetna Medicare. "We want to make sure they remain connected to their communities and have a sense of purpose and belonging in their lives, and a sense they are continuing to contribute to society. Papa Pals are a great way to help seniors do this."

Sources:
*NOTE 1: https://connect2affect.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/AARP-740C-Loneliness-Report-v3-with-LOGO-TAG.pdf
*NOTE 2: https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic

About Papa

Papa is a Miami startup that has Grandkids On-Demand who provide assistance and companionship to senior citizens throughout Florida, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kansas. Papa launched their service in January of 2018.

For more information, visit https://www.joinpapa.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/join_papa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinpapa/

About Aetna

Aetna, a CVS Health company, serves an estimated 38 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, visit https://www.aetna.com/ and explore how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1105s2p-papa-logo-300dpi.jpg

Papa Inc., a leading provider for seniors and Medicare Advantage Members announced today its collaboration with Aetna, a CVS Health company. Papa connects local college students, known as "Papa Pals," to older adults who need help with companionship, house chores and technology lessons.

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Papa and HomeThrive Strategically Partner to Better Support Loved Ones Aging in Place

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa Inc., a nationwide provider of services for seniors and caregivers announced today its newest partnership with HomeThrive. The launch will begin November 11, 2019 in Illinois, Michigan and Florida where Papa Pals will work with HomeThrive and their clients to provide Papa's companionship and in-home support services to improve the health of loved ones currently aging in place and living independently.

With over 34 million people serving as unpaid caregivers to adults over the age of 50, demand has steadily increased for solutions that both enable loved ones to live independently at home and make it easier for family caregivers to support them. HomeThrive and Papa are combining efforts to offer a comprehensive care service, provided as an employer or payor benefit, that integrates Papa's innovative "grandkids on-demand" capabilities with the expert coaching and personal assistance services delivered by HomeThrive CareGuides, who are master's level- social workers assigned support to the entire family.

A recent study in 2018 from the Home and Community Preferences survey shows that almost 80% of adults age 50 and older want to remain in their communities and/or homes as they age (*see Note 1). People who prefer to age at home want to stay around their friends and community. If someone has a strong commitment to their environment, they have stronger reasons to want to live at home.

"Older adults want to age in place. We are excited to partner with HomeThrive to support them and their clients and help loved ones thrive at home," said Papa Founder and CEO Andrew Parker. "Our Papa Pals provide amazing companionship and support members with transportation to improve their lives. We look forward to expanding our services with HomeThrive."

Aging adults also want to stay in their homes because they want to maintain their independence. Papa Pals are able to help them live independently while helping them with everyday tasks in and out of their homes. Seniors have the capability to have assistance when and where they need it.

"We are thrilled to partner with Papa and support more aging adults in their homes," said Leland Brewster, VP of Product and Business Development at HomeThrive. "Families who aren't able to have a live-in caregiver can now have peace of mind knowing that vetted and qualified Papa Pals will be able to assist their loved ones and help them stay engaged and healthy at home."

About Papa

Papa is a Miami startup that has Grandkids On-Demand who provide assistance and companionship to senior citizens throughout Florida, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kansas. Papa launched their service in January of 2018. For more information, visit https://www.joinpapa.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/join_papa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinpapa/

About HomeThrive

HomeThrive provides non-medical care management and personal assistance services to help aging loved ones thrive at home with dignity and purpose. HomeThrive matches each client and their family with one of its dedicated masters level social workers who begins by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of home safety, health, and well-being to inform a personalized care plan. The same social worker develops a trusted relationship with the senior and provides ongoing expert coaching to embrace healthy behaviors and identifies, recommends, and coordinates any necessary third party services to provide meals, transportation, home care, medication delivery or other essential offerings. To learn more, visit https://www.homethrive.com

(*Note 1: https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/community/info-2018/2018-home-community-preference.html )

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1105s2p-papa-logo-300dpi.jpg

Papa Inc., a nationwide provider of services for seniors and caregivers announced today its newest partnership with HomeThrive. The launch will begin November 11, 2019 in Illinois, Michigan and Florida where Papa Pals will work with HomeThrive and their clients to provide Papa's companionship and in-home support services.

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Papa’s ‘Grandkids On-demand’ for Seniors Launches Nationwide Expansion in Six New States

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa, a leader in the Elder Tech industry 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," said Andrew Parker, founder and CEO of Papa. "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."

According to a study by Brigham Young University (*note 1), 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 (*note 2) 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." said COO Alfredo Vaasmonde.

Nilsa Torres, a caregiver who has taken care of her mother her entire adult life started using a Papa Pal every day for the past few months. She said, "Being a caregiver for so many years, I feel like I don't have a life. I don't have that additional help from family members. She [Papa Pal] has breathed new life into our lives. When I come back even if it's like three hours, four hours I'm a brand new person emotionally. It de-stresses me."

Papa is expanding at a healthy rate to keep up with the growing demand of seniors and elders who need extra assistance. The platform that developed in Miami has rapidly grown in a little over a year. By the end of 2019 Papa plans to open 20 new markets around the country.

Learn more: https://www.joinpapa.com/

About Papa:

Papa is a Miami startup that has Grandkids On-Demand who provide assistance and companionship to senior citizens throughout Florida, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Illinois, and Kansas. Papa launched their service in January of 2018.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/join_papa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinpapa/

References - notes:
*note 1: https://theweek.com/articles/815518/epidemic-loneliness
*note 2: https://www.americannursetoday.com/loneliness-epidemic/

Papa, a leader in the Elder Tech industry 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!"

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/