America is facing a caregiving crisis. With more than 10,000 people turning 65 every day, the demand for elder care is soaring. But traditional caregiving models - those reliant on expensive agencies, limited government-funded services, and overworked aides - are buckling under the pressure. Families across the country are feeling the pinch, both emotionally and financially. It's no surprise that new models of care are emerging in response.
Enter CareYaya. A rapidly growing platform operating in major cities like New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, and Tampa, CareYaya is reimagining care by connecting families with vetted college students studying pre-health fields. These student caregivers offer companionship, overnight supervision, and light assistance - all at roughly half the cost of traditional care.
In New York City, where 24-hour agency care can exceed $700 a day, families are turning to CareYaya students from Columbia University and NYU. "CareYaya's model not only offers cost-effective solutions but also brings enthusiastic caregivers into the homes of those in need," says Dr. Thompson, a geriatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital. Family caregiver Ruth L. from Brooklyn adds, "Our CareYaya student, Maya, brought laughter and calm to my mother’s final months. We couldn’t have afforded care without them."
Washington, DC, is seeing a similar transformation. Students from Georgetown and George Washington University are stepping into care roles. Dr. Patel at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital says, "Integrating aspiring healthcare professionals into caregiving roles benefits both the caregiver and the recipient. It fosters compassion and prepares them for their future roles." Elaine R., a retired teacher in Northeast DC, shares, "My husband’s dementia progressed rapidly. Agencies quoted prices we simply couldn’t afford. CareYaya helped us keep him at home."
In Atlanta, CareYaya is tapping into the student pools of Emory and Georgia Tech. Caregiver Maria L. says, "We used to struggle to find overnight help. Now, Emory nursing students come by regularly. My dad is calmer, and I finally sleep." Local expert Dr. Greene from Emory University Hospital highlights, "These students bring a level of purpose and empathy that’s difficult to train. It’s innate."
North Carolina has been a CareYaya innovation hub. In Raleigh-Durham, students from Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State are transforming the home care landscape. John M. of Durham reflects, "My wife has Parkinson’s. We used to spend over $6,000 a month on care. Now we get overnight help for less than half, and the student caregivers are outstanding." Dr. Liu at Duke Health agrees, saying, "There’s an authenticity in this model. It’s scalable and human."
Charlotte families, too, are opting out of expensive agency care and turning to CareYaya. Linda T. recalls, "My mom didn’t connect with agency caregivers. Then CareYaya matched us with Aiden, a pre-med student at UNC Charlotte. Now she looks forward to his visits." Providers at Atrium Health have praised CareYaya's intergenerational engagement model for improving elder mental health outcomes.
In Tampa, where home care shortages are especially severe, CareYaya has partnered with students at the University of South Florida. Robert S., a retired engineer, says, "We were desperate. No agency had availability, and rates were climbing. Now my wife receives nightly companionship, and I can rest."
Why is the traditional system failing? First, there's a national shortage of professional caregivers. Burnout is high, pay is low, and many agencies impose rigid schedules and costly minimum hours. Second, the cost structure of home care makes 24/7 help unattainable for middle-class families. Third, families want care that feels personal, not transactional.
CareYaya meets this moment with a new paradigm: affordable, relational, student-powered care. These caregivers aren’t replacing nurses or aides for medical needs, but they provide critical daily support that enhances well-being and extends independence.
For example, in cities like New York, families can supplement agency or hospice services with nighttime companionship from CareYaya. In Atlanta, student caregivers can drive seniors to adult day programs like those offered by the Georgia Department of Human Services. In Raleigh, caregivers often coordinate with programs like Resources for Seniors to ensure holistic support.
CareYaya also partners with major research institutions, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Carolina, to study how this care model reduces caregiver burnout and hospital readmissions. Early results are promising.
Beyond the cost savings, the biggest win might be emotional. Many families describe forming real bonds with student caregivers. And for students, the experience shapes their approach to healthcare. As UNC student Jessica M. said, "Spending time with Ms. Evelyn taught me more about humanity than any textbook ever could."
In a country where aging often feels like isolation, CareYaya is bringing connection back into the equation. It’s more than care. It’s care with purpose.
To learn more about how to bring affordable, relationship-driven care into your home, visit CareYaya.org.