Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Anna Kalashnikova, a master's student at the RUDN University Institute of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, is creating a digital service, "CareSosed," to help seniors with everyday needs. The project, supported by the RUDN.VC accelerator, aims to relieve the burden on social services and provide seniors with support in simple everyday situations.
According to Anna, as society ages, the number of lonely elderly people is growing, often facing everyday challenges. Going to the clinic, buying groceries, or simply socializing is becoming a serious challenge, and the lack of timely assistance can lead to poor health and overload emergency services. Anna's team includes a developer, product and analytics specialists, and consultants from the social and medical fields.
"The idea for the project arose from observing a real problem. Elderly people often need not medical care, but rather everyday support. We saw that there was a lack of a unified coordination system between the elderly, volunteers, social services, and the medical community," says Anna Kalashnikova.
A simple solution to a complex problem
The CareNeighbor project offers a digital platform that connects those in need with those willing to provide assistance. The service is being developed as a mobile app and web platform with a simple interface for senior users: large buttons, voice recognition, and minimal interaction.
The main functionality will include:
Quickly request household or social assistance (with one button or voice). Automatically distribute requests among available volunteers and services. Request status monitoring and security system. An analytical module for monitoring and planning social organizations.
The project team, which includes a developer, product and analytics specialists, and consultants from the social and medical fields, is currently developing a minimum viable product (MVP) and preparing pilot launches. Anna notes that the main challenge isn't the technical development, but rather establishing collaboration with social institutions and creating a solution that is both simple for seniors and user-friendly for specialists.
Digital technologies at the service of humanity
The service will be free for users. The monetization model involves partnerships with social services and institutional implementation, which will ensure the project's sustainability. A subscription model is also being considered for relatives who want to monitor and support their loved ones' care. CareNeighbor is an example of how technology can help solve pressing social problems. The project demonstrates a humanistic approach and social responsibility, which are integral to RUDN University's values.
"This project is about human closeness and safety. Sometimes a person just needs a neighbor who's there when they need it," notes Anna Kalashnikova.
After completing the accelerator, the team plans to launch pilot projects, collect initial effectiveness data, and begin scaling. CareSosed could potentially become a vital element of the social support system, improving the quality of life for older people and reducing the burden on government services.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.