When Rob Parker’s father got sick in his mid-70s, it took two years and 12 falls before he was accurately diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which can be tricky to detect because it often presents like dementia.

“My Dad couldn’t remember what he talked to the doctor about, he couldn’t remember the doctor’s instructions, and he couldn’t answer the questions,” explains Parker.

“Partly, this was due to his cognitive situation, but it’s also common for most of us to forget details from a medical appointment.”

A seasoned software designer and product leader, Parker says: “I saw small problems with massive ramifications that if we solved them, we could get people to earlier, more accurate diagnoses.”

This experience led Parker to channel his 30-plus years of professional experience with his family caregiving experience to create PrimeHealth and develop its flagship product, also called PrimeHealth, with co-founder Carey-Jo Hoffman.

This app acts as the electronic medical record for older adults and their families, helping to accurately track and communicate health needs and information. It also records, retains and securely shares doctors’ instructions. The goal is to reduce diagnostic and medication errors, improve health outcomes and extend seniors’ independence. 

“In an older adult’s life, things get complicated, especially on the health care side,” notes Parker, whose company PrimeHealth is based out of Vancouver, B.C. and is an AGE-WELL startup affiliate. “We’re helping people make the most of their time with the doctor by facilitating smooth communication within the circle of care.”

The PrimeHealth app is a one-stop digital hub for appointment information, medication lists, symptom tracking and questions for the health care team. The app synthesizes this information and produces an agenda format for patients and caregivers to follow at doctor appointments. PrimeHealth also has voice transcription so older adults can keep track of (with consent) their doctor’s consolidated points at the end of each appointment, which are captured in their PrimeHealth profile. Additionally, family members (with permissions) can contribute to the health information and easily access a fuller picture of their loved one’s health. This is particularly helpful for family members who cannot be as involved in day-to-day care.

Parker, who is CEO of PrimeHealth, and his team engaged early on with older adults, families and health care professionals. “Some things really changed through the co-design process. A big shift was we needed to break many fundamental user experience rules to help older adults use PrimeHealth successfully.” For example, the team determined features in the app must remain constant and there needed to be a lot of in-app explanatory text as a useful guide.

Parker was introduced to AGE-WELL, Canada’s technology and aging network, in the early days of PrimeHealth while attending the AGE-WELL Annual Conference in 2022. He credits that event for kickstarting important relationships and connections for the company.

Parker went on to enter PrimeHealth (then called ElderPRIME) in the National Impact Challenge 2023 – Bold Innovations for Living, powered by AGE-WELL and SE Health. His company was runner-up (and winner of the People’s Choice Award) in the Startup category. PrimeHealth has since joined AGE-WELL’s Startup Affiliate Program to continue the supportive relationship.

“Those two AGE-WELL events have been big jumping-off points that have really helped propel our company forward,” Parker shares.

The company is working through its beta to refine the experience. The company’s first pilot program began with a home health care partner, and numerous other pilots are in development, including a large health authority in B.C. Parker and his team continue to work with potential partners across Canada to roll out PrimeHealth to older adults and families who need it.

By Melissa McDermott
Melissa McDermott is an Ottawa-based communications consultant. AGE-WELL is Canada’s technology and aging network. The pan-Canadian network has mobilized a vast community of researchers, older adults, caregivers, partner organizations and future leaders to accelerate the delivery of technology-based solutions for healthy aging. www.agewell-nce.ca