Daughter creates MyFolks, an app to care for her elderly parents from afar

Many families struggle to care for elderly parents, especially when living far away. Public services are overwhelmed, and older adults often need extra help at home. MyFolks was created to solve this problem, offering trusted, on-demand support to make life easier for both seniors and their families.

Founded by Louise Thompson, MyFolks is a service and app that lets families book reliable helpers—called ‘MyFolkers’—to assist older adults with everyday tasks and provide social connection. Whether it’s reading letters, setting up a TV, going to an appointment, or simply chatting, MyFolks ensures that seniors get the support they need, reducing stress for their loved ones.

The idea came from Louise’s own experience. Living 320 miles away, she found it hard to care for her parents, both of whom had dementia. They often called her in distress over small but important tasks, and professional carers weren’t always available. She wished for a simple way to find someone trustworthy to check in on them at short notice. Since no such service existed, she decided to create one herself.

She started working on MyFolks in 2019 through the Ageing Accelerator Programme, but the pandemic delayed the project. During this time, Louise lost her father. Seeing the impact of social isolation made her even more determined to make MyFolks a reality. Studies show that loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and increases the risk of serious illnesses. MyFolks helps by reducing isolation and keeping seniors connected.

The app makes it easy to book a MyFolker, just like ordering a ride or takeaway. Every MyFolker goes through background checks and careful screening to ensure they are trustworthy and compassionate. The service also provides flexible jobs for people returning to work in health and social care.

Currently available in the UK, MyFolks focuses on coastal areas, where many elderly people live with limited support. The company is expanding across the country and internationally, with plans to offer hospital discharge support, helping seniors return home safely after a hospital stay.

MyFolks is a paid service, but the £25 annual subscription fee is currently on hold to encourage adoption and raise awareness. Visits cost £25 per hour, with a discount available. Additional fees apply for urgent visits or extra hours.

With backing from Capita and potential partnerships in the US, MyFolks is growing fast. The goal? To become a trusted name in elder care across the UK.

Adapted from:
https://techblast.co.uk/news/building-my-startup-louise-thompson-ceo-myf...
https://nhscep.com/2024/07/17/our-patients-louise-thompson/

For more information:
https://www.myfolks.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gKcSisKoVQ