DAVIS COUNTY—Socializing and connecting is important for everyone but maybe more so for older adults. COVID brought a lot of isolation and loneliness that hasn’t fully recovered. A new business, Helperly Connect, aims to bring seniors together through a free online platform where they can talk to each other face-to-face like they’re used to.

It’s not a dating service, said founder Caleb Richardson. “We create real connections, learning and opportunities for everyone over 60. More than 70% of seniors want to make other senior friends.”

That’s not as easy for those who are not as active, have social anxiety or can’t get out, he said. “They need a support system to make those same social circles.”

Richardson started Helperly in 2021 after returning from a mission in 2020 for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “I started this and didn’t look back.”

Odds are finding a friend with something in common would be slim, said Richardson. “Technology gives you a broader reach. Someone in West Valley can connect with someone in Lehi who loves the exact same thing as you do. We’re getting away from physical boundaries.”

Tech is mostly geared to younger people, through cell phones and apps, he said. “There are things that can connect them but not for people over 60. They’re getting connected virtually in a setting they’re used to. They didn’t have cell phones in college.”

Richardson said they’ve already seen success. “One woman was depressed and down and out and she had gotten injured. She got on Helperly and opened up. Everybody started talking about it and shared their experiences and bonded.”

Two other ladies who had worked together 30 years ago got on but didn’t know where each other was, he said. “It was fun.”

In addition to the friendship aspect, Helperly offers things like book clubs, exercise classes, music classes and Medicare classes, said Richardson. “We have advisors who teach different lessons. The activities can be pretty limitless. As the community grows we’ll start adding activities.”

Helperly is simple to use too, he said. “I had my 88-year-old grandpa in mind. There are just three buttons. We don’t make you do the Zoom or Google walk around. You login and see the event details and join. There’s no way you can get lost. The feedback we’ve gotten is that it’s simple and easy. We also have a sheet with step by step instructions on how to do it that we can mail out or email.”

The only thing Helperly gets in order to sign up is an email, said Richardson. “We don’t put it out there and there’s no personal information. We have a privacy policy.”

Although Helperly is free, there is also a paid version for $25 a month that gives participants unlimited access to activities. “We have to pay the teachers, etc. It’s the cheapest model,” Richardson said. “We believe it’s important to have a space to socialize no matter what.”

Helperly Connect is part of the parent company, Helperly. “Employees go out and make in-person visits with clients,” said Richardson. “They help with shopping, cleaning (or other tasks). They have been working with the retirement community for years. Now we can go to the retirement community and offer Helperly Connect.”

Richardson said his grandparents are a huge part of his life. “I care a lot about seniors. I feel like I’m an extra grandkid to all of these other people.”

For more information or to get started with Helperly Connect, visit helperly.com.