Papa, a service that provides on-demand companionship to older adults, now has gone nationwide and launched a new Papa Health service. Having raised a total of $31 million in venture capital, the startup is eyeing ways to work with senior living providers as it continues to expand.
Founded in 2017, Papa provides on-demand assistance and companionship to older adults through a network of “Papa Pals.” These Pals — many of them college students — earn up to $15 an hour as they keep seniors company and help with transportation, household tasks and other needs.
Papa Health involves so-called Papa Docs, who are physicians, nurse practitioners and behavioral health specialists. Papa Pals can connect older adults to these Docs — at the moment, largely through telehealth — to “harmonize technology, clinical services and health support,” as the company’s website states.
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