A new app called Papa lets the elderly book time with a college student to help with errands, or just hang out. This could be a great part time job for college students that don’t want to drive strangers around or deliver food.

App creator Andrew Parker first started the company because his own family had a need for help with tasks. His grandfather was diagnosed with dementia that progressed into Alzheimer’s, and his grandmother was struggling to take care of him. Seniors pay a $15 or $30 monthly service fee — the higher fee lets them request a particular student — and then $15 an hour for visits. An average visit is three hours, but they sometimes last as long as 10 hours.

The college student pay varies based on the tasks they’re performing and the time they spend, but the minimum visit nets them $10.

To learn more, go to www.joinpapa.com

As I have no living grandparents, will there also be an option for me to rent an elderly person to tell me I’m special, agree that my parents are wrong/crazy, and send me birthday cards with a $5 bill inside? Just saying, turn about is fair play.

–Susan Saunders 8/29/18