Making Caring Count December Newsletter Issue 3#11

Trends and innovations

Butlr Care: MIT spin-off revolutionizes elder care with AI-powered sensors for privacy-focused well-being monitoring. Butlr Care, an innovative spin-off from MIT, is changing the landscape of elder care with advanced AI-powered sensors that provide real-time monitoring while safeguarding privacy. Developed by computational designer Honghao Deng, this breakthrough technology offers caregivers peace of mind through continuous tracking, all while supporting the independence of older adults. Butlr care is setting a new standard in enhancing senior care by combining innovation with a focus on well-being and privacy. bit.ly/3Oyh2nt

Faye: A new approach to support working parents. Emily King, co-founder of Faye, knows firsthand that the mental load of working moms is a constant balancing act. She also understands that managing a family is a unique and valuable skill that deserves real support. Inspired by these insights, Faye was created—a platform designed to connect busy parents with local advisors who take care of tasks that never end. Faye offers personalized assistance from a Family Advisor to help with everything from event planning and home services to travel arrangements and more. With flexible membership plans, Faye reduces the mental load by matching families with experts who tackle their to-lists, saving both time and money. It’s a smart, AI-powered solution that eases the burden on busy families while supporting workforce development. bit.ly/4iaWPSx

Meet Ema: The AI assistant empowering women to take control of their health and wellness. Ema is an AI-driven women’s health platform offering personalized, medically-vetted support on topics like fertility and menopause. It also fosters connections through friendship circles, empowering users with accessible health resources. The app aims to reduce anxiety and bridge gaps in women’s healthcare by offering 24/7 support. bit.ly/4fRGnov

News from Africa

Wow Mom, a Kenyan-based social enterprise is redefining childcare for Nairobi’s market vendors. Peninah Ndegwa, founder of Wow Mom, is revolutionizing childcare in Nairobi’s markets, empowering women vendors to focus on their businesses. In 2019, Ndegwa encountered a cramped, poorly equipped childcare room at Gikomba market and took action, renovating the space and turning it into a safe, child-friendly facility. With support from the Nairobi County government, Wow Mom now provides affordable, high-quality daycare that eases the unpaid care burden on market vendors. With centers now in Gikomba and Mwario markets, Wow Mom sets a new standard by providing a safe environment where children receive nutritious meals, engage in developmental activities, and benefit from attentive care. Looking ahead, Wow Mom aims to expand across Kenya, advocating for policies that recognize childcare as a key part of economic empowerment of women. By pushing for systemic change, Wow Mom is ensuring that all children—regardless of their background—have the opportunity to thrive, while supporting women’s full participation in the economy. bit.ly/3CVJv4j

News from around the world

Brazil’s G20 presidency: A blueprint for advancing the care economy. This year, Brazil’s G20 presidency placed the care economy firmly on the global agenda. A notable achievement was the creation of Care20, a subgroup under the Women 20 (W20) engagement group dedicated to advancing comprehensive care policies in G20 countries. Through collaboration with policymakers, NGOs, civil society, and labor unions, Brazil sparked a national dialogue on women’s empowerment and the vital role of care work. These efforts culminated in the development of a National Policy for Care for Brazil. As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit in 2025, there is a unique opportunity to build on Brazil’s example. Brazil’s year-long G20 presidency not only shaped global discussions but also resulted in meaningful national development. South Africa can leverage this platform in a similar way to drive progress on care work while aligning with global priorities.

The future of the care economy: A call for collaboration and investment. The care economy, which includes essential services like childcare, elder care and healthcare, is a vital yet underfunded sector. Despite its crucial role, the global care system faces significant challenges: inadequate access to care services, insufficient recognition of care work, and low wages for caregivers. In response, the World Economic Forum’s white paper ‘The Future of the Care Economy’ outlines a framework for addressing these issues by promoting care as an economic priority. A major concern is the overreliance on unpaid care, with nearly two billion people working as full-time carers without pay, most of whom are women. The paid care sector also suffers from low wages and insufficient support, which discourages skill development and workforce participation, especially among primary caregivers like parents. The paper calls for a collaborative approach involving governments, businesses and communities. This collective effort will help create sustainable, equitable, and high-quality care systems that benefit workers and the people they care for. The future of the care economy depends on shifting our mindset to recognize care as a critical driver of social and economic prosperity. bit.ly/3VmEeJr

How India is creating sustainable urban spaces for families and climate resilience.

The Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge, a collaboration between India’s Smart Cities Mission and the Van Leer Foundation, is improving urban life for young children and their caregivers while enhancing climate resilience. Focusing on cities most vulnerable to climate change, the initiative aims to create green spaces that not only support child development but also address environmental challenges like air pollution, urban heat and flooding. In cities like Indore, existing parks are being revamped and new “pocket parks” built, offering shaded areas and permeable pathways to reduce heat and improve stormwater absorption. These spaces, along with sensory parks featuring local plants, provide children with safe, enriching environments while mitigating climate impacts. The initiative also focuses on transforming areas outside family health centers, creating shaded, welcoming spaces for caregivers and children. By combining climate adaptation with early childhood development, the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge is paving the way for more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive communities. bit.ly/4ghLqhO

What we’re watching

Care takes center stage in film: Stories that reflect our shared humanity. More than 40% of Americans are caregivers, yet many don’t recognize it—care is seamlessly woven into daily life, from raising children to supporting loved ones through aging or illness. These experiences, though universal, are often overlooked or misunderstood. This year, a wave of films has brought the realities of care to the forefront, exploring its emotional complexities and societal impact. From the poignant sibling dynamics in His three Daughters, to the systemic challenges spotlighted in Patrice: The Movie, these stories illuminate the diverse ways care shapes relationships, identities, and communities. Other standout films like The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat and Night Bitch challenge traditional narratives, highlight real-life struggles, and celebrate the strength found in care relationships. Together, these films remind us that caregiving is a shared human experience, worthy of authentic representation. bit.ly/3ZzOmRs

What we’re listening to

Podcast: Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees. Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, a podcast hosted by Selma Archer and Zack Demopoulos, authors of a book with the same name, offers employers practical strategies to support caregiving employees. With valuable insights for leaders, HR professionals, and caregivers, this podcast explores how to create a supportive workplace, improve retention, and help employees balance caregiving with their work. In this inaugural episode, “Building caregiver-friendly workplaces”, hosts Selma and Zack welcome Donna Thomson, a caregiver, educator, advocate and co-author of The Unexpected Journey of Caregiving. She shares her personal caregiving journey and the powerful transformation that occurs when you become a caregiver. This episode deep-dives into the challenges of caregiving, the impact on the workforce, and the need for employers to create caregiver-friendly workplaces. Tune in here bit.ly/41f72XO

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