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Taking care of parents or grandparents and being there for them is everyday life and important for many people. Family members are connected, often even over hundreds of kilometers. Many exchange information through common messaging services and send news and photos via WhatsApp. Messages are often also the way in which families coordinate the care of a relative among themselves. Those who are often left out are the older family members (i.e., those who are usually the main concern) if they do not own or use a smartphone.
Here is the translation of the given context text from German to English: This is where the Munich startup enna comes in and aims to change that. The team wants to use their app and platform to better connect family members and include the elderly – thus also making caring and nurturing easier. In the interview, Franziska Gebhardt explains how this works. She has a degree in social sciences and is an Account Manager at enna.
Franziska, what is special about enna?
The special feature of enna is the tactile control concept using cards. enna consists of a docking station and a standard tablet running the enna app. Operation is carried out using cards that are placed on the dock, triggering the corresponding command in the app. This is especially helpful for people with little to no experience with modern technology. For example, if the person wants to make a video call with their daughter or granddaughter, they simply place the corresponding call card on the dock and are directly connected.
Video calls are possible with any tablet. What makes enna different?
Many older people have difficulties with digital media. On the one hand, there is a tactile challenge, and it is difficult to operate the devices because they are not as intuitive and simple as they claim to be. On the other hand, many people who are not digitally experienced have great skepticism. Some are afraid of breaking something, or they lose track because advertisements and offers keep popping up, which is unsettling.
And what is your solution?
Ultimately, enna is like the Toniebox for Grandma and Grandpa. Our offer has a low-threshold approach. The enna app offers a user interface that is very clear and straightforward. It is free from advertising. Usage functions through individual cards. For example, there is a card for calling the daughter, one for calling the son, another for the occupational therapist, and so on. Thus, enna also provides safety in usage because it is a protected area. But video calls are just one way enna can be used. The cards can be used and configured in a variety of ways. For example, you can also create photo albums, maintain a shared calendar, or watch your favorite shows. The respective cards can be individually created and edited by family members using the enna app on their smartphones.
What is your personal favorite card at enna?
There are many different great cards. The photo card is my favorite card because I wish for something like that for our WhatsApp family group. With it, you can create digital photo albums. My grandma can calmly look at the pictures over and over again, but our communication in the group remains free of them. You can keep uploading current pictures and let the older family members participate in everyday life. That was the origin of how everything started with enna.
How did enna come about?
The grandmother of our founder Jakob complained because she felt excluded from the experiences of her relatives. Photos were exchanged and messages sent in the family group, but Grandma Lilo knew nothing about it because she didn’t have a smartphone. She wanted to participate and asked Jakob, who had studied electrical engineering, if he could build something for her. In his free time, Jakob crafted a prototype for her: a mini-PC in a simple cardboard box, connected to a screen with a mailbox, so everyone in the family could send messages and photos to Grandma. She was thrilled, and several of Jakob’s friends also wanted something similar for their families. Jakob realized there was a demand. He teamed up with two friends - Tim and Moritz - and they founded the startup.
Is there also support for caregiving relatives and how?
Yes, absolutely. I see a great support particularly in being able to manage a shared calendar - in such a way that everyone, including the person in need of care, can participate. One of the biggest challenges in caregiving is that the burden of tasks often falls on one person. Our calendar helps to distribute these tasks better. Since everyone has access, they can see what is due. Through messages, one can quickly communicate and gather information in one place. The second major advantage: the people involved are included. I come from social work and often experience that much is organized around the person who needs help, but they themselves are not informed.
And does it work with enna?
Yes, because the calendar function is simple to use. The user places the card and sees what is scheduled on which days, whether it's doctor's appointments or the hairdresser. enna is a family app that truly brings everyone together, and it's important that the affected person can participate. Through conversations with the users, we found out that many families are brought back together through grandma or grandpa, who no longer use a smartphone - and we want to include grandma and grandpa.
What feedback do you get from the users?
We notice that our users primarily want to participate. They do this through messages. They receive photos or text or voice messages and are kept informed. Most live at home, manage quite well on their own, but still wish to stay in contact with family. Our numbers show that this works well. Because, on average, each user is connected with five relatives. We receive feedback from many users that the calendar function is a great relief, as tasks can be better distributed and no longer fall on one person alone.
What does enna cost and how can you get it?
We offer the docking station and the associated tablet, as well as the app in a bundle through https://enna.care/ an. That costs €27.90 per month and can be canceled monthly. Everyone in the family can then download and use the app for free. For an additional fee of €7 per month, there is unlimited data if grandma, for example, doesn't have Wi-Fi. The cards are individually designed but can always be updated with new content. You can just try using it, and that's what I recommend. Especially when people aren't very digitally experienced, they just need to test it and maybe practice a little. That's why we offer a 30-day free trial period.
What can users expect from enna in the future?
We are excited to soon launch the enna world - a platform with valuable information and tips on aging and caregiving. The enna world offers practical services such as meals on wheels and helpful care tips that make everyday life easier. Our new platform is designed to make life in old age simpler and more enjoyable and to be a trusted resource for seniors and their relatives.
What else are you planning?
The function for video calls with doctors is also a major concern for us. However, this is still regulated by various requirements. But we see that it would be an important support for families if the person or relatives could also contact the doctor via video. Furthermore, we want to use artificial intelligence with enna in the future, which we are currently testing. The intelligent assistance is intended to further simplify everyday life and enable even more effective support.
What is your goal?
Our goal is to provide real value for families, so that they succeed better in being there for and caring for one another. We are also involved in the Care for Innovation association to advance digital offerings related to care in Germany.
Interview: Peggy Elfmann
Sources:
Interview with Franziska Gebhardt https://enna.care/
