In this episode of the Listen for Life Aphasia podcast, we talk about the vital role of caregiving and the innovative approaches to support caregivers. Host Genevieve Richardson shares her insights from the Moonshot event, where she met Olivia Gallagher, an intern at CareYaya. CareYaya is an organization that connects student caregivers with families in need, focusing on non-medical companion care for the elderly and individuals with autism. Olivia, a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, discusses her journey with CareYaya and her enriching experiences while providing care.

Top Takeaways:

• CareYaya connects pre-health students with families needing non-medical companion care, offering tasks like medication reminders and companionship.

• The organization emphasizes genuine passion for caregiving over academic credentials, ensuring caregivers are committed to helping others.

• Students gain practical experience and insights into the lives of older generations, while elderly clients receive companionship, reducing loneliness.

• CareYaya offers competitive compensation and flexible scheduling, accommodating students' academic commitments.

• The organization is exploring AI technology to combat loneliness among the elderly, with plans to test it in nursing homes.

To take action, consider how you can support caregivers in your community or explore opportunities to volunteer with organizations like CareYaya. If you are looking to work for CareYaya or you need support, head to careyaya.org and @WeAreCareYaya on social media!

The Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast is a platform dedicated to supporting individuals through stories and experiences. Visit ListenForLIFEAphasiaPodcast.com to view video episodes. If you have a topic or guest recommendation, or if YOU want to be a guest, visit the Guest Hub. If you have any unanswered questions, you can ask Genevieve and Aphasia Wisdom through “Search for Answers.”

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Do you or someone you love have aphasia and are seeking support? Book a free consultation by heading over to DoLIFESpeechPathology.com or by following this specific link: https://DoLIFESpeech.intakeq.com/booking?serviceId=dc1e232b-a9ed-46cb-aba3-cdbbb0fab97b.

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