RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — CareYaya, the Triangle-based start-up leading the charge for elder care experiences has launched a new service. Named “QuikTok(TM)," and marketed as “TikTok for Older Adults” the service is an AI companion, available by phone, for addressing loneliness and social isolation.
A significant problem
According to the National Institutes of Health, 24% of adults over 65 are socially isolated and another 10% of America's 60 and older self-report as lonely. Across health care, social isolation is linked to a multitude of poor outcomes, including dementia, heart disease, and an increased risk of premature mortality from all causes.
To combat this, the CareYaya team envisioned a new use of the company’s existing conversational LLMs. The QuikTok(TM) service delivers human-like speech with AI voice generation tools, engaging callers with chat therapy. Conversations by phone present a lower barrier to use for those without internet access or facing technological obstacles.
But it offers other benefits as well. The tool will “remember” past conversations, allowing for a more engaging dialog and helping the system flag early warning signs of cognitive decline or mental health problems. The QuikTok(TM) call can also facilitate mental exercises when connected to the web and can lead meditation exercises to help address pain management.
“It’s been reported that for older Americans, being lonely is worse for your health and life expectancy than smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” CareYaya’s CEO Neal Shah said in the press release announcing the new service. “We designed QuikTok(TM) to bring people a sense of companionship, comfort, and mental stimulation while addressing some of the most pressing challenges older adults face, such as aloneness, memory decline, and even chronic pain.”
Getting noticed
CareYaya has been taking the nation by storm since it first partnered with UNC-Chapel Hill students two years ago. Their expanding network of caregivers now spans nine states and more than 25 universities. They’ve also received several federal grants, including one to develop a caregiver education and support platform supported by AI.
Last month the company got even more good news: they’ve been included as one of LinkedIn’s Top 50 Startups in America for 2024. CareYaya is in good company on a list that includes Perplexity and Wiz. They’re also the only NC-based company and the only company in the southern U.S. on the list.
Starting the conversation
While QuikTok(TM) has just launched, interest is intense. Due to the high demand, the company has started a waitlist to use the service. Eventually, Shah says they hope to arrange access to QuikTok(TM) for community organizations and healthcare systems for wider access, and to help target those who need it most.