Intel Gets into the Healthcare Business with New Caregiving Site

Intel Corp. has launched the ConnectingForCare.com web site as an "online community" for the estimated 50 million or more family members and other caregivers in the United States.

The site is designed to help family caregivers, nurses, social workers and others both share information and give each other emotional support, "filling a void in today's healthcare system," said officials at Santa Clara-based Intel. Intel developed the site in conjunction with the National Family Caregivers Association.

Intel's announcement came as a number of Silicon Valley and high-tech companies are diving into the health-care space, including Google, Microsof, Revolution Health and others. But Intel says it's been working on applying technology to the needs of caregivers, along with aging and chronically ill individuals, since 1999.

I reviewed the site and granted it is new but as a caregiver myselfI I was not that impressed. It's basically a few articles (content) and some discussion boards. However, if you find value in networking with other caregivers who may be in a similar situation as yourself then you might like the site.  But caring for aging loved ones is "local" and unless the person you are networking with lives in the same town as the person you are caring for (and can recommend resources like Doctors, home health aides, companion services, handymen services, etc.) they may not add value to your caregiivng needs. But kudos to Intel for building this site as it will no doubt benefit some caregivers.

If you are caring for aging loved ones, you may find ShirleyBoard.com of interest. ShirleyBoard is an online community for people caring for aging loved ones but instead of the focus being on networking and content, it allows you to centrally store your caregiving information, keep a record of your caregiving journey (daily logs, notes, etc.), notify freinds and family when you make new updates, etc.  I use it every day and it works great.