Forget dating apps, neighbourhood Facebook wars and people posting photographs of their lunch. We now have something considerably more useful; an app that lets you know whether someone is actually okay.
Retired Macleay Island paramedic John Till has just launched Life-Link.app, a rather clever little idea born from a rather serious observation.
“After 37 years of seeing what happens when people become isolated, I knew I needed to find a simpler way for people living alone to stay connected,” John says.
So he built an app. The premise is wonderfully uncomplicated. Press a button: “I’M OK.” Everyone relaxes. Press another button: “I NEED HELP!” Everyone stops relaxing.
Suddenly your chosen family, friends or carers know something is up and can get in touch, co-ordinate a response and generally do what people who care about you are supposed to do.
There’s even an “ARE YOU OK?” button for those moments when you’ve sent someone three messages, called twice and are now considering knocking on their door while pretending you were “just in the neighbourhood.”
“The idea came from decades of seeing the effects of emotional isolation, particularly among people living alone, older Australians and people with disabilities,” John explained.
That experience has continued since John and his wife, Nina, moved to Macleay Island three years ago. Nina works as a support worker, so between them they have a close up view of the challenges faced by people living alone, people with disabilities and those who rely on support in their day to day lives.
Living in an island community has only reinforced for John how important staying connected can be. Sometimes family members live on the mainland, sometimes friends are busy, and sometimes the person who needs help simply doesn’t want to make a fuss.
That’s where the idea for Life-Link.app really comes into its own. And before anyone gets carried away, this isn’t Tinder for retirees, Facebook with fewer arguments, or a digital replacement for 000. It’s deliberately boring; there are no endless feeds, no influencers, no political rants from Uncle Kevin. It’s simply an invite only circle of people you actually trust, with an easy way to say, “Yep, still here,” or “Shirley, we have a problem.”
John’s hoping Life-Link will give families a little more peace of mind, particularly when distance, disability, busy lives or the simple chaos of modern existence makes regular contact difficult.
The app has just launched on iOS and Android and is completely free to use. John made this decision because he didn’t want anyone to feel that they can’t use the app because of the cost.
So there you have it. Macleay Island’s latest bit of tech isn’t trying to make you famous, sell you something, or convince you that you need a new kitchen. It just wants to know you’re okay.
For John, this is only the beginning. He plans to continue developing Life-Link and expanding its capabilities, with the aim of making it an even more useful tool for families, carers and communities.
For more information visit www.life-link.app. To get in contact with John, call 0402 433 150 or email john@life-link.app.
