its a reasonable idea however old age surfers is a very small market (sadly)

if you can find a way where the older generation can help each other become web savy and join this, it could work. As time is getting on more of the older generations will be looking for something like this.

Its much better than the BBC's idea of making a social networking site for 6-12 year olds....

I like the idea and think it has potential.
In my country a lot of older people are on the web now, but I agree with Mullac14. Some people you will never reach.
Tommy

I like this idea, it speaks to the ever-growing aging demographic. You will have a harder time capturing those who are not on-line as mullac14 and vanhees have stated. Chances are those are the ones who would need the help the most -- target social agencies, retirement homes and churches to get the word out. At the very least those who are not on-line might be able to make use of the computers at these facilities.

One way to reach people who are not online might be to have a section of the site aimed at organizations instead of directly to older people. If a community center or other organization is web savvy, the site could help them co-ordinate with volunteers or provide a computer for those who come there to use the site.

I really like this idea! I read this book about a residential community called Hope Meadows: http://www.generatio...ope.org/hm_main.html where abused/neglected children who lack hope for adoption are matched with elderly individuals with little to no support in their old to foster an interdependent relationship. The concept definitely works!

PeeJayEl has brought up an excellent point to target the groups who interact with these individuals on a regular basis because the internet might not be the best means. I think that another interesting solution for these non-internet using folk would be Pesto, a printer that allows the sending of emails and photos without a computer: http://www.presto.com/ It was developed with the older generation in mind.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the helpful feedback!!
I am looking for more to come ;-)

This could be used a a daily check-in as well: If the person doesn't answer (use video) you could dispatch assistance...and a great way to visually view how someone might be doing at the time...
A cheap Wifi enabled terminal could be put anywhere..

You have to take care of some problems before you can realise this (adept the system to the person so that he or she can use it easily), but it's a very nice idea!

great idea culturefish

culturefishes idea is great, you should really think about adapting it into your initial idea.

i know it sounds daft but when/if this idea takes off you could take the concept to nursing homes ect.

or what about going to nursing homes now and doing a little background research to see if there is a gap in the market for something like this.

well, it wouldn't be imperitive for the person actually in need of care to use the site etc. Family members, and nursing homes could use the site to pair their loved ones up with a pair of ears. I mean, for my grandparents, I have lost track of how many times I tried to teach them to use a mobile, or dvd player, but I could see my mum using something like this for them.
Its a great idea though, particularly appealing to (my) CV savy generation.

this is a good idea and it is an idea that is needed,
it is usualy the family who cannot cope with an elderly or sick parent and need that special someone to take the load somtimes.
social services are not always the right answere .
my wife has all the qualifications and has worked caring for the elderly in nursing homes for years for next to nothing . yet she has more than enough work offered to work privately going into peoples homes directly for more pay as it cuts out all the red tape and middle men.
also qualifications are not recoqnised internationaly so she wanted to work for the establishment for low pay would not qualify anyway.
this idea could bring those profesionals with the skills to the peole that need them and save both sides a whole lot of money !

Nice. if you can get past the lack of older people online. Also a consideration: security. I live in FL where there are a lot of older people. They tend to be easier to take advantage of. IN FL its a felony to take advantage of an elderly person and they are quite aggressive about it. Older people are so trusting and the internet is full of scammers and thieves. My dad is 79 and doesn't use the internet. I entertained the thought of helping him join the info-superhighway for a while but decided against it for fear he's fall for any of the scams and clones sites out there. Its phone calls to papa only. ;)

i can't see the matches for free when there are paid services for this...
interestin premise, but why wouldn't they go with lifealert or other affordable service that isnt internet dependent

I think maddie makes a very important point. I'd go one further where schemes such as shopping or visiting are concerned; it's very sad, but there's a LOT of potential for this to lead to abuse. Here in Britain the laws regarding work with vulnerable adults are very similar to those for work with children, and with good reason...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you just baaarely missed the boat with this idea. On my blog (http://www.webfugitive.com) I featured a site that was released just days ago called CARE.com - it focuses on pairing babysitters, tutors, *elderly care*, and others on their site.

However, they DO have an affiliate program that you may be able to branch off of. Nice payouts too - 40 bucks a connection.

I love the idea but how do you screen out predators

Williamanon just blurt out my concern...

I love this idea.

I like the idea. Maybe it focuses more on the loved ones of the aging person....i.e. the person's children that don't have time to take care of their aging parents, but don't want to put them in a "nursing home" either. This could be a place for them to identify resources to help them with their parents or aging loved ones.....just a thought

Good idea. Could you find a way to connect with existing churches or nursing homes? They would probably already know who was in need of someone.

I think this market is a lot larger than many think. Even if the market was 100 people large I think it would still be a wonderful idea because it helps people in ways they can't help themselves and that is incredibly valuable to the world. Maybe not only old people can contact other older people? Maybe younger people can also talk to the older people. Just a thought, because I, myself enjoy talking to older people a lot, they have a lot more to say than we think they do.

already done

check http://www.care.com

sorry.. not a new idea...

also most communities have services like this set up -- do a google search for your community or talk to your local social worker

I like it done as a charity. Raise money and offer it to the elderly that can't afford it almost as a charity. By the way w00dstock, check out the traffic stats on care.com. It is not exactly common knowledge.