Javela Friends was founded by Jim Vlachos and Margaret Hernandez as a way of bringing much-needed help to seniors suffering from social isolation and the loneliness, cognitive decline, and increased risk of dementia which often comes with it.
Jim was inspired to create Javela Friends when his grandmother, Eve, lived in a nursing home and experienced significant social isolation despite regular family visits. Eve thrived on conversation and social interaction, which became scarce in her later years and impacted her quality of life tremendously. This personal experience highlighted for Jim the widespread problem of social isolation among seniors, not just in care facilities but also for those living alone at home.
Javela Friends provides a global community of conversation companions to help seniors stay cognitively active and socially engaged.
Recognizing that many seniors face difficulties with technology, Javela Friends offers an easy-to-use service which can be managed and configured online by friends and family, and includes the option of pre-configured Javela Tablets with a simple one-button interface. This allows seniors to easily connect with their chosen companion for video chats without the complexities of apps, logins, or tablet settings.
Through Javela Friends, users can choose companions, view their profiles and availability, and set appointments for engaging conversations. These regular social engagements via online video chat offer a modern way to combat social isolation, reduce loneliness, and provide intellectual stimulation, potentially mitigating cognitive decline. Javela Friends aims to foster social connections, and hopefully real friendships, offering a valuable lifeline for seniors seeking meaningful interaction and a way to stay connected.