This App Is Like an Uber for Grandkids
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Nilsa Torres, 70, and her frail 91-year-old mother Ignacia Rodriguez rarely left the modest two-bedroom apartment they share in this Gulf Coast retirement community. Torres is Rodriquez’s daughter, but also her primary caregiver - a relationship complicated by the conflation of love and need.
They often didn't do much of anything, and it was making Torres feel trapped and lonely.
“I would love to do more for my mother, like even take her out,” Torres told VICE News. “A lot of times I know she wants to do it, but she declines because she thinks that it's too much work for me.”
Then came the app - and the young woman - who changed their life.
A Miami-based startup called Papa provides what they call a “grandkid on demand” service, where they send a vetted college-age person or young adult for companionship and transportation to seniors in need. Clients can use the app, but Papa’s average customer is 75 years old, so most people just call in for the service.
As soon as Torres heard about the program, she signed up, and she and her mother have been getting weekly visits from Christine Perez.
“I got off my Celexa [anti-depressant],” Torres said. “My mother started eating again, and she's gained weight. She's happy and, I mean, what can I tell you - she's a different person.”
The cost of loneliness is real, nearly $7 billion a year to Medicare alone, according to a 2018 AARP study. Which is why Papa has caught the attention of numerous states’ Medicare Advantage programs. As of press time, Papa was offered in major cities in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, with plans to expand soon to Arizona, California, Texas, New York, and New Jersey.
We visited Torres and Rodriguez when Christine made one of her visits.
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Although this app is good in theory, I fear the potential with elder abuse with strangers coming into these people's lives being paid to be their friends. I'm sure Christine is doing it for the right reasons, but not everyone who will be contracting with Papa will be.
That's what vetting is for, but there will always be risk even in proffessional care homes there is always abuse.
I think app should require inapp training with video and interactive question at BARE MINIMUM
I doubt it. If she truly cared she would visit for free. This about to become an old mans escort service.
@@user-yg2up4lg3r I used to be a part of a volunteer organization called Senior Connect that did just this and it was very hard to retain people without compensation. You have to remember the classic econ concept of "value of wasted time" - by "wasted time" I don't mean that the time is wasted, more that the time is elapsed and you cannot get it back. When you're putting in multiple hours a week to care for these people, you're not spending that time at work making money. The goodness of people's hearts can only stretch so far. It can be very hard to work around a work schedule. And these Papa Pals would most likely never meet these elderly people to visit if they had not been connected through the company. LPNs and the like get paid way more for doing similar things. Never forget that time is money. $11 an hour isn't much but it is enough to keep a workforce.
Brian,
I too agree, like uber, most companies wont invest in proper EXTENSIVE background checks...Their thought is, the more heads the better. I agree the consept is wonderful, for someone like me I'd like to find a connection with someone older that I'd be able to talk to about history with etc; I fear the potential elder abuse as well.
I'm calling grandma right now 💔
I wish I could call my grandma :(
Sounds like you have a good grandma.
Everyone in my family hates our grandparents.
I can’t wait till my grandma dies.
I was hoping her tumor killed her
Anyways she always wanted me dead but I hope she burns in hell.
jasin biggs when you hope someone dies, someone close to you and who you love will die. stop pouring negative energy and bring it up
@@jasinbiggs7189 we don't pick our relatives and that's just another lesson to learn, I hope you get to change things around, so when you are old nobody feels that way about you.
@@santiagocedillo5025 yeah, it's called not being evil. my grandad tried to hire someone to kill me. some people just don't deserve any compassion.
This is basically what I did when I volunteered for the Cambridge Elder Services. I got paired up with a polish widow who couldn't speak any English, so we spoke in French. "I spend all days of the week waiting for Wednesday", she said to me in one of our last encounters. It's really life changing.
I do not know about polish (East Europeans are different), but I have heard a lot of stories that many caregivers built a rapport and then they receive some kind of estate from the elder they take care of .
Bless
This probably wouldn't be a issue of the cost of living wasn't so high.
Yeah this service must be extremely expensive....
They could move back to Cuba it’s cheaper to live
@@goosty17 Around 2:05 she says she makes $11 per hour. I'm not sure what the app creator's cut is, but hard to imagine the total cost is higher than $20 per hour, and probably less over time (since after a few visits it becomes easy to cut the app out of the equation). Less than an Uber on a per hourly basis.
@@dosadoodle You're right, they can actually cut out the middle man and get a better wage once they quit the app.
cost of housing is high cuz everyone wants their own house instead of staying together as family.
pretty good Idea Ive been taking care of my mom who had a stroke since I was 13
You are amazing , Blessings and Love.
Keep it up bud! I'm sure she is a very happy person 👍
God bless you. Your mother is lucky to have you. And seems like you're lucky to have a mother who's raised you to be so amazing.
Your mom is so lucky to have you. I am my dads full time caregiver since hes been in a wheel chair the last 6 years cause of MS. I think its soo sad how many people just abandon their parents in nursing homes and visit so rarely if ever. It breaks my heart. I always promised my dad i will take care of him in his house as long as he wants.
I hope you have support or can use something like this for your family
I been my father care giver since I was 25. & it's not easy.
You're amazing
Outstanding! Respect to you brother.
It’s sad they have to hire “family” to spend time with them.
Mplay1983 : definitely.
I wouldnt really consider it "family" just like a sitter for the caregiver to get a break.
It's sad in today's society where everything costs so much you can't get them cheap and affordable care while living your own life. I wouldn't want my kid to take hours out of their day, or even 24/7 taking care of me.
Why? She was probably bored seeing her daughter everyday only spending time with her.. She needs to talk to other humans and her daughter also needs to be able to go run errands and get a piece of mind at least. It’s stressful seeing your loved ones growing older..
asdf ghjk The girl considered herself family because they treated her as such.. Sometimes strangers can treat you better than actual family. Y’all comments seem so negative on this thread.. I don’t believe you were trying to be just sounds like it..
im waiting for THIS Black Mirror episode 🤔
Whats that show about??
Oh good I wasn't the only one getting that vibe. Felt like I Was watching a trailer almost.
Giiiiirl 😭😭😭 the truth
Gave me the vibes haha
lol
The knowledge and advice these old timers will give you is priceless. Great app.
Not really, boomers worked under the table all their life and complain that their social security check is so low.
Not every retiree is fortune 500 company's retired CEO....
@@mauricegeorge4320 and not ever life lesson has to be about making money. 🤷♂️
@@dopehousex3 Dodging the draft and smoking dope is so wisdom worthy.
@@emptybottleof151 wow your stupid 😂
Did you see that smile and long hug? That spoke a thousand words. She literally lit right up.
This service is positively brilliant.
👏👍
It's like having a caregiver, but set up by an app. My great grandmother died at 103 in 2016. She had 8 kids, 21 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Her caregiver was a lady who used to do her housework since the early 1980s. Towards the end she was more of her emotional companion. We were blessed to have her caregiver. Never saw signs of geriatric depression.
This is a great App I hate seeing older people so lonely
Millennials who do not have children...no worries when you are old. There's now an app for that.
What difference does that make? These people still have many children and NONE of them visit their grandparents.
I might not have children (due to health reasons) but I'll be sure to be healthy and fit like my grandmother. She is 80 and is still on her feet. She doesn't get help from us at all (We still visit her). I know other older adults who are happy with out kids. They find hobbies and meet ups.
Indeed, this is only specific to millennials. Glad people from other generations that didn't or won't have kids won't encounter any issue. Or people who had kids. Oh wait...
all the old gays, over 90% don't have adopted children, will definitely use this app.
Yeah I'm scared of what will happen to me once I'm in my 60s. I actually am active now and I have been for about a year, I go to the gym 5 out of 7 days and I do yoga every morning. But I'm still scared my body will be frail at an old age. I don't want to have kids, I don't know what I'll do.
Swear to god for the first three mins I thought this was an SNL sketch.
As someone who moved away from a close-knit family to go to college and stayed far away from home for work, I can see how this would benefit both the elderly and the younger people visiting them. Companionship is such a strong foundation for a happy life, regardless of age.
We have lost the idea of experience being an important virtue, elderly people have much to teach and much love, patience and support to give. Families and the community should value them more.
Whatever grandma
Agreed
I agree with you and to an extent,I think that it's not that we don't value our elderly as a community but, I wish they touched on it more but, it's that we don't always have the time. Two working adults to maintain a household, who may or may not have children, burdened with student debt, cost of living is high, gas is expensive, we no longer have multi-generational households, the odds are stacked against us.
catalinacurio work and money is valued over family
@@vampansy93 well sorry but baking cookies with nan isn't going to pay my electricity bill
Capitalism: are you bothered by crippling alienation caused by capitalism? Well there's an app for that!
You are helping the community AND creating jobs?? *hugs* *positive warm feelings*. When are you coming to Canada?
These ladies changed each other's lives. Its so refreshing to see two strangers become so close. You can see their genuine concern for each other.
My family is very much geared in the same way as Nilsa. Im 21 but when I graduate I will be the primary caregiver to my grandma and grandpa. It has always worried me who would take care of them while I’m at work but this brilliant idea gives me hope. Caregiver burnout is a very scary thing and a helping hand can go great lengths!!
It sounds like the daughter and mother are burnt out or don't have a connection 🤨
I think this is such a great idea! Especially for people with long deceased children or widows who no longer have anyone to reach out to. And for the young people to have a hand of wisdom to visit and reach out to
I moved away from my fam to CA for work. Fortunately, I'm able to fly home to visit my parents every other week. In btwn trips, I have daily vid chats with them etc. I never understood how ppl cld live in the same city as their parents and never visit them. We shld never take our parents for granted and always treat them with respect.
I think its so sad that this is now a business and not something the real grandkids do for their grandparents for free.
Sad that it’s come to this.
If they paid their actual grandkids an hourly wage, they might probably visit. I wonder what the inheritance situation is gonna be like. Does the pseudo grandkid get a chunk of that?
I can already picture a True Crime Watch Daily video about 'jealous legitimate grandkids'.
this company is going to be huge. If it expanded to be International I could see this getting really big in certain parts of Asia.
What a sweet precious girl and beautiful also old people need love they are leaving this world as we all will being kind is the only way:)
And the fact is those two ladies are happy to pay $11/hour as well.
I lost my grandmother last year. I wish I spent more time with her but life became complicated and I had to move far away.
This is such an amazing idea!! It's a caregiver and an emotional support in one.
I've thought about creating a space like this for people in my life. It would be so beneficial
In my family, it’s tough because people move so much now. When my great uncle was dying, it was easy to manage care because our whole extended family lived in the same city. But when my generation’s parents and uncles and aunts get old, it’ll be really hard because none of the younger folks live there anymore and there really aren’t many jobs there anymore. So, you can’t share the load as much if there’s no one around, and one person can’t do it on their own and still stay afloat financially
the CEO looks dead on the inside.
Dead as a doorknob😁
give those people training and education on how to take care of an elder person... Not just random people who wanna get a quick buck out of it. Where I live you have to get an education and go on interviews to see your motivation. Also to see if you're capable of working for them...
Exactly!!!!
This is called having a Homemaker, it’s a real position covered by health insurance including Medicare and Medicaid. They come to help take care of sick/disabled/elderly people, their home, and provide company for them. Depending on the tasks you need to do for people, you can make $18 an hour as a homemaker in Illinois. I have one since I’m disabled, it’s great. It allows me to live independently instead of in a care facility, and my family doesn’t have to go through caregiver fatigue like so many families do.
that's practically a longterm care jobs who go to different apt to help and work with elderly that live alone. theres jobs like that in my city ..
Her mother is depressed & she needs help + therapy too
What a lovely video!!! I love my elders !! Que hermosa esta doña, con ganas de abrazarla 💓💓
Y si! Que dios la bendiga 💜
As baby-boomers reach retirement age, this will become essential. Also, not all families stay together. By divorce or feuds that lead to bad blood between extended families, some elders suffer the consequences of their actions earlier in life. While it would be ideal that blood relatives fulfill this role, the damage is sometimes irreversible. At least this way elders have a way to get care and company when they need it.
Echoing a number of the comments below, but a lot of harm can surely be done in this app. I’m curious to know how they verify caretakers. And is there a mutual rating system like Uber?
I'm a 52 year old woman and I have been caring for my 83 year old mother for ten years now. I too made a promise to never put her in a nursing home and I never will, but help sounds nice. Even if it is just someone coming over to talk with her or take her out for a bit of sunshine. I have two sisters who rarely come to see her even though we live ten minutes away and the times that they have come to get her they both insist that I go too so I can care for her. There is never a break. Where I go she goes and it's just easier to not go anywhere. I would love to have this type of service as long as I felt the company vetted it's people properly. I'm not sure what I would do with a free afternoon, but I'd like to find out. I hope you'll be in Indiana soon.
Hi Jill. Please speak up for your needs. It’s easy to get burned out. Your sisters are adults and they can handle an hour or whatnot with her if you can handle day after day. Teach them what to do and be on your way. Seek help and guidance from local groups or a council on aging. If you don’t take care of yourself you’re going to wind up in hospital and that won’t be good. Please please get some experts to help you get your sisters to take some of the responsibility you have for a bit.
@@k.w.1459 Thank you for your sound advice. I should insist that help, I know. I tried, once upon a time, to get them involved but they would do very little and then just not come to see her. It gets old complaining about the same things over and over. I will find out about the council on aging. Thank you.
@@EvansvilleJill Jill, how is your sibling's children, it is their obligation to spend some time with their grandmother.
@@mauricegeorge4320 unfortunately they doesn't share our opinion. My daughter does spend time with her, but she lives with us. My daughter has two jobs and still goes to visit her grandma in her room. They like to watch Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy together. It's hard on Mom. She has great grand kids that she doesn't know very well. It's a real shame. One would think that my Mom is a horrible person for her to be treated like this, in fact my Mom is one of the nicest people I've ever meet. I think that makes it all the more hurtful and unfair to her.
Great app & God BLESS Christine. U can tell She has a golden heart.
Tinder but for family issues.
Basically
Parents are precious keep them close
I am glad that this is available, but sad that it's come to this. I hope no one takes advantage of these old folks. So many industries and individuals dedicate themselves to robbing vulnerable retirees.
Kind of horrifying that this has become a financial transaction
But also kinda cool, everyone has to get paid, and everyone's grandma deserves some love
Something needs to be done because the elderly is being forgotten about
They should have an option where you can do this for free. I would like to do this for free. I was raised by my grandma, I can’t imagine having one and not spending time with her
This is beautiful bless her heart ❤️
God bless them all. My heart.
$11 an hour???
that's what she get's from the service, the customer is probably charged 2x that. its a business , with limited liability, training , and overhead. $22 an hour(guestimate) for presence, and basic assistance, is pretty fair going by what the medical industry charges for nurses , and or certified home care professionals , which is about 4x-6x that per hr on avg in FL ( as of 2009/10 when we were considering it for our family's needs ) . . $11 take home, is + to about $13-14 an hr taxable hr income . taxes fall on the service provider since she's commissioned and indirectly paid , and as stated, there's opportunity for bonus's .
@tyvek05 You are the definition of utterly stupid.
@@j.w.5510 Ask someone questions before you make assertions about them. Or at least back up your point in your reply. I would like to know why you called @tyvek05 "utterly stupid".
@@twistymcslide2 If you see that house this 91 year old lady living, it is clear that this lady's family is in a good financial shape. So, I do not think their family has any problem paying $11/hour, I think they can afford more hours. The problem is not every family (especially latino family) can afford this.
@@mauricegeorge4320 not necessarily true. plenty of old people who own their homes here in FL ,who lets say paid $60k , and now its worth $250k, but they have been living off loans taken out against the property . so it looks nice. then they pass , and dont own their home...... all assumptions, and im not being critical of anyone $ , how they spend , or earn it . so not sure why youre directing your comment to me . .
Christine Perez can get it
Facts
Hell ya
Def.
@@puddincup9879 the white knight of the internet! LOL!
Sounds like a lot of liability here...you never know what can happen to your client, and im sure they all have tons of medical conditions. As a former EMT , it was always scary that they might die on you and you wont be able to save them, simply bcuz they are just too old?
Fred Yuldashev I’d have to imagine some form of contract in which the companion is not responsible for medication, and if anything happens w/health they are not held legally responsible. It’s a friendship service not an in-home caretaker.
Fred Yuldashev the have liability waivers and insurance and there non medical services its easy to do.
a fortune teller can do talk for a fee why not her.
@@thomasr3805 True, but they probably do not receive intensive training. Someone might feel very sorry and start doing CPR or potentially drop their patient by accident, there are tons of different parameters and cases....Lawyers will find the way to sue!
Thomas Roth
non medical services. thats what the co is offering. hence different liability. different weight class than a dental practice.
@@fredyuldashev they are hired companion not nurses.
If you hate your Grandparents and got a large sense of passing the buck and responsibility to another person this is the company for you.
Yess.
Which is MOST of society
@@FaithandNova yep.
WHERE DO I SIGN UP
I mean, is this a branding job for PAPA? Because there are no “negative” sides here...oh wait, $11 dollars an hour for an employee who is giving the priceless gift of presence...
So, thx for the commercial VICE as always.
My favorite part of this was the 3 second close up on that thumb.
Zombie Killer low key thiccc
Although it has its hiccups, it’s the same as hiring an in house care taker which people have been doing for decades. Just making it modern and more convenient. Happy to see everyone has found a little joy
the grandma is so cute aw
It’s sad we came to live in a time when you can hire a grandchild... old people are amazing and need a lot of love, don’t get me wrong the app is a great idea, but real, empathic human connections are really important, family is really important and our elders need to know we care and appreciate them
Damn she’s fine!!!
Hell yes! That grandma could have me any day! Christine aint bad looking either.
Nice commercial, Vice. What did you charge Papa for a nearly a 5 minute spot? Still better than the “How to smoke pot out of a canning jar” that you are known for running.
Fucking gorgeous! When tech is ACTUALLY worth something that changes soOo many lives.
Literally 3 generations are benefiting and being cared for by such a simple solution.
So much love to these idea people!!!!!
May it always prove safe and beneficial.
As a younger resident of the state with the oldest median age, I cannot think of a use of social media that would better serve the state of Maine and it's aging population.
this basically seems like home heath care but without the proper training. good concept though
When will Vice employees unionized?
Right before they get laid off because of budget cuts 😂😂😂😂😂😂.
What has that got to do with the story they are covering?
@@Sun-Tzu- Nothing, I just like stirring shit up 😁😁😁
I’m pumped! I just wanted to volunteer with old folks but getting paid would be nice. Waiting in Ontario, Canada.
Wow, americans reaaally like individualism and work. 5 children and not 1 gives a damn about their mother. Weird.
"5 children and not 1 gives a damn about their mother" Have you ever thought they might be really business with there own lives? They also live far away.
@@kiDkiDkiD12 You are actually reinforcing my point.
Who said they dont give a damn?
@@doingtime20 wow..you're dumb
@@doingtime20 What are you on about? Your point is that the kids are to far away and living there own chaotic own life? Are you an idiot? Honest question, also the woman and her family are Hispanics. The majority of Americans are not Hispanic nor come from that lifestyle. So how can you say "you Americans"? The US is the most diverse nation in the world there is no such thing as the average American.
$11 a hour isn’t very much especially in California
Good luck. Hope these kids have the ability to compartmentalize, because losing someone that you develop a bond with.. over and over again.. is mentally and emotionally tasking.. to say the least. I got out of elder care 2 years ago and can't stomach the idea of going back - even though I would love to. It's rewarding, but at the same time, unbelievably painful.
Great concept but $11 an hr 3 hrs of work???? thats barely Gas money.
rene tobar but 5 times a week thats couple of tanks of gas. plus her job. plus what job can you be ok w/ 3 hr min.
I see it as side money. She probably has more clients too.
Has to be a 11 an hour
I never know whether to smile or cry at this type of story.
Will it's both.
Cry. It's messed up that people have so little value for family that this is necessary.
@@sunnyedaize1262 the grandkids are all scattered in the US. My grandmother is in a different country. Am I supposed to fly every weekend to go see her/ take care of her? I see her 2x a year but thankfully she is still healthy that we dont need a caregiver for her.
I live in Northern California and I can’t wait to sign up for this! I am a SAHM as well and I think this is awesome!!!!
There is definitely a need for more elderly support. Not sure if a business is really the right way to do it though. It's more profitable to keep elders unhappy and coming back to the service. Big paradox there. Really the only thing that'll fix this is if there's a major world war/catastrophe and people's entire perception of their world/comfort is shattered and start emphasizing the importance of family.
And this girls bilingual, they should be paying her more! What a great app. They can take care of your ailing family member while you can have your own life, run errands, etc.
I have two kids. I've saved their lives a million times. Changed their diapers another million times. Walked them to sleep. Fed them. Washed them. Did things with them that was painful and had no interest in. Taught them how to walk, talk, help with homework, walk to school, taught them to drive............! I don't give a god damn rat's ass if i walk around their house buck naked, pissing all over the floor, throwing temper tantrums, smearing my shit all over their walls, they will return the favor until the second i take my last breath as i held them in their first! I will live with them in a nicely furnished guest house with a beautiful nurse giving me baths! 😘 and if I'm still able to drive i want the matte black Porsche 911 turbo that I've been asking for parked in front of the guest house!
Kids, you owe us and until we're 6ft under we OWN YOU!
I’m also a parent and there’s no guarantee your children r going to be there for you just like you were there for them.
Kinda made me tear up. So incredibly cool
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So what happens when the financial transactions fail? Do the connections also?
As a privately funded enterprise , more power to them.
It’s just a care service, it’s not a big deal everyones acting like this is a dystopian nightmare
The five kids don't wanna give their mom a break?
They're scattered around the US. It's probably expensive to travel back and forth. They're probably in industries that they might not find jobs in mom's area.
So sad. Am glad I have mine w me. The stories can get repetitive but I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Instead of promoting ways of reuniting families, let's pretend we're solving the problem and earn a lot of money." Congratulations.
So your suggesting we pay workers an adequate wage so they can spend less time working and more time with family
Man we're all gonna get old and lonely :(
I worked in the restaurant of a luxury senior living facility. I liked the job, I befriended all the residents but I could never just sit and chat with the residents because, welll I had work to do. Food to serve. Sometimes I volunteered with the activity people but actually working with them wasn't allowed because they were also bartenders for the residents. I worked there for four years. I would like to do something like this.
Have you started working for Papa Pal yet?
I spend time with my grandpa. I’m the only grandkid who does regularly but I make it a priority. That being said if I could get paid to do it I would only so I could spend even more time with him. Especially if I were doing a job like this I’d rather do it for my own grandpa.
wish they did this in the uk,I'd love to take part!
What are the requirements? Do you have to be a student or certain age?
You need to be at least 18 yrs old
Basically what I do now in home health care.
Instead of resigning ourselves to the permanent dissolution of the nucleus family perhaps we could create ways to keep families together.
The Papa founder can get it.
I did research on the elderly and loneliness back in college. This company would have been AWESOME to have included in it.
Kudos to this company. This is something that can enrich more people's lives than you can ever imagine.
This app is like an Uber for Grandkids.
This UA-cam channel is like Buzzfeed for hipsters.
All my grandparents are gone:/
It's sad that this lady's real family is not there for her. Working in a retirement home myself for a couple years I got to see this first hand. People dump there parents in these places to die alone and miserable. This is how you treat your mama or papa after they give you everything??? Come on people wake up!!!!
take care of your grandparents please
Sad, it confines the daughter so this app is very ideal as the daughter can go out and the mother still gets taken and the person gets paid
Worst case scenario in a Uber you get raped and killed, what’s the worst case scenario for this app? I don’t want to know. . .
So it is a non regulated* home healthcare service.
Just like AirBnB is a non regulated hotel service.
Just like Uber is a non regulated taxi service.
*When I say non-regulated I mean in the sense that they are operating out of the bounds of regulation that is standard to the industry.
This is the system that we live in, not even taking care of our love ones cause we are busy with our own stuff, it's sad that humans made this system and now we are working for the system instead of enjoying the life that we have around us. so sad