The Problem

Life expectancy in the United States has surged in recent decades to a remarkable 79 years in 2022. Yet, as the elderly experience longer life spans, they suffer increased care-related needs. About 1 in 5 of them admit to struggling with a severe illness or depression. According to NCOA research, nearly 95% of adults 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, while nearly 80% have two or more.

Furthermore, 61 million adults in the United States (26% of the total population) have a disability. Within U.S. educational institutions, 19.4% of undergraduate and 11.9% of postbaccalaureate students are living with disabilities. Approximately 50% of these individuals are at risk for mental health conditions such as depression — brought on by isolation, loneliness, and separation from their family members.

On the other hand, between 2013 and 2015, There were about 3.1 million college student volunteers contributing close to 331 million hours annually in the United States. In total, college students contributed $5.47 billion worth of service during this time. Volunteering provides many benefits for college students such as career benefits, social benefits, and health benefits. Additionally, Generation Z exhibits greater tech-savviness, fully engaging with the virtual realm. This provides a stable foundation for a technology-oriented solution that addresses the gaps in care for the elderly and disabled populations.

Ideas

Elderly and disabled individuals often require day-to-day assistance with non-medical needs that are frequently overlooked. The U.S. government spends around $400 billion annually on comprehensive healthcare, including caregiver subsidies, and this expenditure continues to grow. Simultaneously, 92% of college students believe that volunteerism is an essential personal mission. A bridge between these two groups could:

  • Build an alternative pool of care providers for these individuals.
  • Transfer knowledge and experiences from Boomers to Gen Z.
  • Help elderly and disabled individuals improve their well-being by overcoming isolation and loneliness.

    • The Solution

    We introduce AidLink, a mobile and web app that connects college students with local disabled and elderly individuals, offering assistance for non-medical needs and fostering a network for well-being. Through AidLink, we bridge the generational and non-medical care gap to create a platform of compassion and support that transcends age and ability.

    Volunteers

    You earn service hours certification/academic credit hours and save billions of federal funds

    Assistant

    You earn money, gain experience, reach networks, and bring impact on the life of millions

    $400
    Billion

    is spent annually for caregivers and it's growing

    10,000
    People

    turn 65 every day

    19.02%
     Undergraduate

    students have a disability

    AidLink's Offerings include

    add user

    Self-registration with verified photo Id, phone, and e-mail. On-demand cashless volunteer/assistant for non-medical services

    Membership upgradation based on passing the online training, ratings, and feedback.
    Choose volunteer/assistant with details filtering, accept or reject requests

    image

    24/7 Online/in-person services
    Background check and insurance to secure safety and security

    a

    Self-certification and earning opportunities
    Professional support with one-on-one learning opportunities

    OldCareWomen

    Our Purpose

    1We're using technology and innovation to address the biggest social challenges.
    2We're committed to safety, advocacy, and leadership.
    3We're obsessively attuned to our customer’s needs because we ARE our customers.
    4We're promoting access, equity, and diversity.