GoldenCarePR wins Rep. Pablo José Hernández’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in PR’s At-Large District.

Rep. Pablo José Hernández has named Lorena Pachiardi of Cupeyville School as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in PR’s At-Large District. Their app GoldenCarePR is designed to support elderly individuals and their caregivers in Puerto Rico by centralizing essential resources and tools.

When asked what inspired the creation of GoldenCarePR, Lorena Pachiardi said, “After seeing many news reports about the growing crisis affecting the elderly in Puerto Rico, many of whom were being abandoned in hospitals by their families, I felt compelled to investigate the underlying causes. I began researching the issue and conducting interviews with families who were struggling to care for their aging parents. Through these conversations, a common theme emerged: a widespread lack of information about the services, resources, and rights available to the elderly population.

‘Many families were unaware of the government and private programs designed to support seniors. They expressed frustration with the difficulty of finding reliable information, often having to navigate outdated websites or contact agencies that were slow to respond. This lack of centralized, accessible guidance left caregivers feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, especially when trying to make critical decisions about healthcare, housing, and financial assistance.

‘Another concern that surfaced during these discussions was the vulnerability of elderly individuals to cyberattacks and fraudulent schemes. Families shared their fears about protecting their loved ones from online scams, identity theft, and misinformation. There was also confusion surrounding Medicare benefits, tax credits, and how to properly manage medications and daily tasks. Caregivers often felt alone in their responsibilities, lacking tools to stay organized and ensure their loved ones received the care they needed.

‘These challenges highlighted a clear gap in support systems for both seniors and their caregivers. That’s why I created GoldenCarePR, a platform designed to unify all essential information in one accessible place. GoldenCarePR offers guidance on elder rights, available services, financial aid, healthcare programs, and digital safety. It also provides tools and resources to help caregivers manage medications, appointments, and daily responsibilities more effectively.

‘My goal is to empower families with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and to ensure that Puerto Rico’s elderly population receives the dignity, protection, and care they deserve. GoldenCarePR is more than a ppp, it’s a movement to bring compassion, clarity, and connection to those who need it most.”

The 2025 Congressional App Challenge marked another record-setting year for the program. A total of 394 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives hosted App Challenges in their congressional districts, the highest level of participation in the program’s history. More than 13,800 students from across the country participated, submitting over 4,600 original apps focused on real-world challenges ranging from health and accessibility to education, sustainability, and civic engagement.

The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives that encourages middle school and high school students to learn to code, explore computer science, and build practical technology solutions for their communities. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and winning teams are invited to showcase their projects to Members of Congress, staff, and industry leaders at the annual #HouseOfCode celebration on Capitol Hill.

The Challenge is proudly bipartisan and reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to STEM education and preparing the next generation of American innovators for the future workforce. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from the Broadcom Foundation, AWS, Infosys Foundation USA, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.

The 2026 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.