NEW Internship for those interested in Aging Services

Tender Loving Calls is an innovative, interactive and easy to use subscription telephone messaging service, designed to improve the quality of life for aging seniors and help families take better care of their aging loved ones from a distance.
    
    The associated web site TLC-Connect is to be for the family caregivers and is to be a dual-purpose social learning networking and marketing site. Recent research has shown that family caregivers are very active users of the internet, particularly social networks, both on and offline. They are keen to connect with others to discuss and learn from each others experiences. There are many web sites devoted to providing information on all aspects of aging and caregiving, however very few (if any) encourage communication and collaboration between their visitors. My aim is not just to provide information but to encourage users to share their experiences, using the blogging, forum systems and specialist groups within the TLC site, with the notion that ‘a problem shared is a problem solved’. 
    
    We have an interim web site at http://www.tenderlovingcalls.com and are currently building a full scale social learning network to take its place. We are looking for Interns who are interested in working to help develop an active and engaged community of users. In the process they will explore a different application of social networking that goes way beyond the world of Facebook and Twitter. Running a large scale focused social network is very much like being the producer of a live daily TV program. They will work directly with me to learn and master techniques which encourage active and sustained engagement within this community. They will have the opportunity to develop and explore their own ideas pertinent to  creating an engaging online environment designed to serve people (especially family caregivers) who are deeply concerned about providing care for our aging community.
    
    If you have any interest you can see some of my past projects at http://www.digitalslate.com.

IF INTERESTED, apply via UMBCworks or send your resume to Christine Routzahn at the Shriver Center (routzahn@umbc.edu)