Phil Silvers' daughter looks at aging on the Web
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - It was just a couple years ago when Hollywood writer-producer Tracey Silvers realized she was entering that awkward baby boomer age, surrounded by friends who were busy raising children while also taking care of aging parents.
As they shared tales of scanning the Internet for leads on things like meal programs for shut-ins, medical care, transportation and other services, Silvers said she recalled her own search for services when her father, the late comedian Phil Silvers, was aging. She wondered why there wasn't a Craigslist or Google for people who needed help finding help for people growing old.
"I guess it's like the wheel," she said she finally concluded. "It's obvious but it's not really obvious until you think of it."
With the help of her friend Tina McGene, who at the time was caring for both her husband and father, Silvers has put together Free2Age.com, a clearinghouse for services ranging from public transportation to nutrition. Although some are commercial, many are free, government-sponsored programs that now require entering only a zip code to be located.
"It's amazing to me the amount of free services that are out there," said McGene who worked with Silvers for more than a year compiling a list and now spends each day verifying and updating it. "I think people don't know about them or don't realize they can access them."
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - It was just a couple years ago when Hollywood writer-producer Tracey Silvers realized she was entering that awkward baby boomer age, surrounded by friends who were busy raising children while also taking care of aging parents.
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As they shared tales of scanning the Internet for leads on things like meal programs for shut-ins, medical care, transportation and other services, Silvers said she recalled her own search for services when her father, the late comedian Phil Silvers, was aging. She wondered why there wasn't a Craigslist or Google for people who needed help finding help for people growing old.
"I guess it's like the wheel," she said she finally concluded. "It's obvious but it's not really obvious until you think of it."
With the help of her friend Tina McGene, who at the time was caring for both her husband and father, Silvers has put together Free2Age.com, a clearinghouse for services ranging from public transportation to nutrition. Although some are commercial, many are free, government-sponsored programs that now require entering only a zip code to be located.
"It's amazing to me the amount of free services that are out there," said McGene who worked with Silvers for more than a year compiling a list and now spends each day verifying and updating it. "I think people don't know about them or don't realize they can access them."