In a world where an estimated 43.5 million Americans are unpaid caregivers, juggling careers, families, and the immense responsibility of caring for loved ones, one startup is making waves with its innovative solution. Watch Our Own, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Morristown, TN, has developed the first all-in-one phone app designed to be the ultimate caregiving companion.
The Caregiver’s Dilemma
The rise of unpaid caregiving in the U.S. is placing increasing pressure on families, particularly women, who often sacrifice careers and personal well-being to care for aging parents or relatives. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of caregiving can be overwhelming, with as many as 20% of family caregivers showing signs of depression—twice the rate of the general population.
Giancarlo Paolillo, CEO and co-founder of Watch Our Own, experienced these challenges firsthand. As the primary caregiver for his mother, Paolillo juggled coordinating her care and keeping family updated while raising three young children and working up to 60 hours a week.
“It’s crazy, stressful keeping all of the balls in the air while ensuring that you’re present for a loved one,” Paolillo reflects. “Everyone you know has someone in their life that they are taking care of right now. I needed one tool to help me coordinate and manage her care.”
A Comprehensive Solution
Recognizing the need for a unified platform, Paolillo and his team launched Watch Our Own in 2020. The app’s initial version featured a patented “event engine” that allows caregivers to track incidents like falls and locate lost loved ones.
In 2024, the company released a significant update, introducing a new user interface, an enhanced event engine, and a task manager with calendar integration, caregiver scheduling, and task tracking capabilities. These additions further solidify Watch Our Own’s position as the most comprehensive app for family caregivers.
Looking to the Future
Watch Our Own’s vision extends beyond its current offerings. The company aims to become the go-to app for family caregivers nationwide, potentially even globally. They envision partnerships with health insurance companies and employers, offering the app as a benefit to help families manage caregiving responsibilities with less stress.
“We see this app as a service not just for those taking care of elderly loved ones but for anyone serving as a caregiver to a loved one of any age and with any special care needs,” explains Paolillo. “Families where parents are both working, single parents, and even friends can now coordinate and delegate tasks and monitor from their phones versus quitting their job to take on full-time caregiving duties.”
Inspiration and Impact
Watch Our Own draws inspiration from companies like Airbnb, which identified a unique need and created an innovative solution, and Rubedo Life Sciences, which focuses on improving quality of life. Like these inspirational companies, Watch Our Own aims to fill a crucial gap in the market while prioritizing the well-being of both caregivers and their loved ones.
As the number of family caregivers continues to grow, Watch Our Own stands poised to make a significant impact on the lives of millions. By providing a comprehensive, user-friendly tool that addresses the complex demands of caregiving, this innovative startup is not just simplifying tasks—it’s revolutionizing the entire caregiving experience.
