FAQ

General Questions

Private Family Web Site

General Questions

What is the CaringFamily Connections Service?
The CaringFamily Connections Service is a social networking system for facility residents where family communicates with Internet based tools and residents use paper. Messages from family and friends are created electronically and delivered as paper messages. Messages from residents to family and friends start as paper and are delivered via e-mail.
Who is CaringFamily's service for?
Elder caregiving is a demanding job. Our service is designed to simplify and enhance caregiving, without imposing any additional effort on caregivers. Professional caregivers in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities will find that the routine tasks of keeping elders and their families informed is simplified, and family caregivers are equipped with an entirely new way of including families in their loved ones care, every day.
How does CaringFamily's service compare to an Internet-connected PC?
It's entirely different. CaringFamily's service combines the simplicity of paper and pencil for elders with the familiarity of email, the Web, and other digital tools for their families. Our unique approach eliminates the confusion and dangers of the standard Internet PC for seniors, without forcing a new way of working on everyone else.

Back to Top

Private Family Web Site

What is the Private Family Web Site?
Each caregroup for an resident - consisting of family, friends, professional caregivers, or anyone else that the group agrees should participate - has access to the Private Family Web site for that resident. It acts like a web based secure and private social network for the group. Private Family Web Site provides a place to compose, send, and share messages within the caregroup.
How many family members can participate?
There's no limit. In fact, the more the merrier: studies show that the greater the frequency of interaction with 'social support networks' like family, friends, and the like, the more the elder benefits in terms of health, wellness, and longevity. So be sure to invite more members to your caregroup!
I take a lot of digital photos—can I share them with an elder on your network?
Definitely. It's as simple as attaching a digital photo to an email message as you already do, and sending it on. Or you can compose a message including a photo in the Send Message area of your member site. You can e-mail a photo directly from your cell phone to the resident using the resident's CaringFamily e-mail address.
Do I need to learn new ways of sending messages, or buy new software?
Not at all. Your existing e-mail methods work just fine, and your online caregroup site requires only a standard Web browser like the one you're using now.
Can anyone outside the family send messages to my elder?
In short, no. Only those registered in your group may communicate in this way with your elder. This keeps "spam" or other unsolicited email from reaching vulnerable seniors.
Will spam, viruses, and other Internet problems reach my elder through your network?
No. This is another vital component of the service's design as well. It's simple to use, but is a true 'safe harbor' on the Internet. No outsiders - and the risks they introduce like spam and viruses - are completely excluded. That means you never have to worry about the usual risks of PC and Internet use when it comes to elders in your care.
How does CaringFamily protect the family's privacy?
CaringFamily is committed to protecting each family's privacy in every possible way. Our network is secure, employing the latest in protection techniques to ensure your information never leaves our operation. The web site encrypts all information to and from your computer. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.