Caregiver Systems for Aging Seniors and Chronic Conditions

Nice article by Home Controls: Caregiver Systems (Strategic Distribution Partner for GrandCare Systems)

Caregiver Systems for Aging Seniors and Chronic Conditions

bioAuthor: Cheryl Kerr, Home Controls Inc.

1) Tell us about the new division Home Controls just launched, Caregiver Systems
Caregiver Systems by Home Controls is an exciting opportunity to help aging seniors and people with chronic illnesses stay independent in their own homes longer than ever before. We feature innovative technology that takes an important step beyond typical home automation.

Dealers will recognize the usual activity monitoring, automatic alerts and 2-way touchscreen communication, but now there are fully integrated wellness devices, reporting, cognitive tools and much more.

In fact, the long list of features and affordable pricing opens up multiple markets including In-home Care Providers and Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) themselves. The feedback we’re receiving is positive across the board…

Read more: http://www.hometoys.com/ezine/09.12/caregiver/

EHX (HOME HEALTH PAVILION) SPRING SHOW – REGISTRATION OPEN

As you may know, GrandCare is sponsoring the Home Health Technology Pavilion at the Electronic House Expo in spring.

We are putting together a pavilion of technology vendors to showcase the latest dealer installed home health technologies. We also are providing a dealer track with sessions relevant to the aging and technology industry. Sessions include basic demographics, statistics and a general introduction to this industry, why you should want to be a part of this 20 billion dollar industry and a “how to” in marketing to this industry (includes making your own business plan in the class)

Registration for this is now open! We also invite technology vendors to contact George Keegan from EH Publishing to join in our home health tech pavilion. This pavilion will receive media attention and will make a big splash in the new opportunities show at EHX.
George Keegan
800-375-8015 x229
gkeegan@ehpub.com

Registration NOW OPEN: http://www.cepro.com/article/ehx_spring_2010_registration_now_open/?utm_source=CEPWeekly&utm_medium=email

11.23.2009 — Electronic House Expo (EHX) announced today the official launch of EHX Spring 2010: The New Opportunities Show, being held March 25-27, 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

EHX Spring 2010, produced by CE Pro, is delivering on its goal of a one-of-a-kind event experience which will lead custom electronic professionals toward the new growth opportunities being created in the changing economy.

For 15 years, CE Pro has been the first to deliver the latest and most important business developments, technical guidance, resources, news, and current events in the industry. With more than 200,000 readers a month, CE Pro is the leading source for news and information in the custom electronics industry.

EHX Spring 2010 is produced by the same voices behind CE Pro to bring together the innovation, creativity, skills, and real-life experiences of custom electronics integrators across the country.

EHX and CE Pro have listened to the needs, concerns, and wishes of thousands of custom electronics professionals and understand how hard custom integration companies have been hit over the past two years. In response, EHX Spring 2010 is presenting opportunities in seven growth markets:

* Home Health Tech
* Smart Energy
* Commercial
* Retrofit
* Recurring Revenue
* Digital Media
* Custom Electronics

“Over the years, CE Pro has been at the forefront of the next big thing in custom electronics, and EHX Spring 2010 is no different,” says Jason Knott, CE Pro editor-in-chief. “These new growth opportunities will change the CE industry, and those who attend EHX will stay one step ahead of their competition with the knowledge and experience they gain in Orlando. If you can choose just one event in 2010, EHX Spring is the most important to attend.”…

This month’s Aging Technology Watch newsletter

Aging in Place Technology Watch November Newsletter
by Laurie Orlov: ageinplacetech.com

Press awareness (if not politeness) is growing. So on the positive side, reporters (like the NY Times) seem willing to write about technology that can help seniors. On the negative side, the headline writers diminish the benefit with condescending titles like “Helping Grandpa Get his Tech On.” But as the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad publicity, especially when educating the market by expanding awareness is a prerequisite to expanding adoption.

I wonder if we have aging assumptions about seniors and computers. This past month, there was quite a bit of press about the Phoenix Center policy paper describing how Internet usage is a factor in reducing depression in older adults (fyi — you can read my analysis). Combine that finding with the emergence of The FloH Club for providing telephone tech support to older people. I was pleased to sit next to an 80-year-old WebTV e-mail and Internet surfer on a recent flight. Today’s computers are cheap, support is available, software can make them easier to use. And there is 105-year-old Will Clark, amazed and happy with his first computer. The Fox news story quoted Florida State’s Neil Charness as saying it may take longer to learn how to use a computer (more indictment of non-intuitive interfaces). That is no reason to avoid them.

Caregiving technologies need a boost. As I pointed out in my AAHSA write-up, a robot from Cyberdine can lift a person to a standing position, enabling bed transfers that might break the back of a family member or CNA. I am looking forward to the day that price points of robotic assistants drop to the point where home-based caregivers can use them.

Meanwhile, check out the clever mechanical designs from Stander Inc, the vendor of the month. The BedCane, CouchCane, and CarCaddie are truly technologies for aging in place (no computer skills required.)

Blog posts from the past month:

Clarifying terminology about elderly and seniors. Gross assumptions can be derived from studies (like Florida State commentary above) or the Phoenix study on depression that lumps four or five decades together into one word — elderly, or maybe senior. We need to become clear about the results of these studies, segment the results by age group so that we don’t lump 55-year-olds in a similar conclusion about 90-year-olds. Not that I took that personally or anything.

iPods with music for those with Alzheimer’s. This program should be imitated by any senior care organization — find donated iPods and load them with music. Rather than be lined up in the hall or in front of a television, enable long-forgotten songs and memories to be re-activated. This is a program that everyone can encourage — especially at this time of year!

Caution — PERS devices everywhere, maybe not so useful. Worrisome how everyone wants to sell PERS devices — in case big companies like Philips wonder who is in the market — it looks like home alarm dealers are seizing the opportunity. Wish they would combine the sales effort with good assessments of fall risks, partnerships with senior care service providers, home safety assessments — and maybe move beyond the ‘press the button’ type devices.

Remember, you can sign up for blog post notifications on www.ageinplacetech.com by putting your e-mail address into a Subscribe ‘Feedburner’ box on the left. (Of course within the posts you receive, you can unsubscribe as well.) Registering on the site also enables download of the updated 2009 Market Overview and Health and Technology reports as well.

All the best wishes for a great holiday season ahead!

Laurie Orlov

AAHSA Idea House on PBS Channel 11

4 min video of AAHSA Idea House on Chicago WTTW PBS Channel 11

A brief summary of the AAHSA Idea House technologies are featured on Chicago’s WTTW (PBS Channel 11), available at http://bit.ly/1FCfeM

Not too much about GrandCare, but you do get to see a tiny little touchscreen demo (they cut off the logos at the top)

Thurs 11-19-09 Peter Radsliff from Presto speaks

THIS THURSDAY ON OUR WEEKLY AGING & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE CALL

Topic: Multi- Company Collaboration to INCREASE awareness in the Aging & Technology Industry

Time: EVERY THURSDAY 2pm EST/1pm CST/12n MST/11am PST
Meeting Room: www.dimdim.com Join Meeting Room: grandcare

1. Announcements
2. Highlighted Caller
3. TOPIC: The senior market is exploding, and changing. One of the biggest challenges senior-focused businesses face is gaining awareness for their products and services. Beyond traditional advertising and public relations campaigns, and even past online and social media initiatives, how might these companies collaborate to drive awareness and mutually-beneficial results?
4. Next week: Happy Thanksgiving!! Thursday December 3rd, Barbara Friesner from AgeWise Living speaks.

New Technology Assists Caregivers & Provides Ideal Aging-in-Place Solution

http://www.workingcaregiver.com/articles/aging-in-place/aging-care-technology

New Technology Assists Caregivers & Provides Ideal Aging-in-Place Solution
Interactive, wireless communication and wellness system allows aging seniors (and
individuals with chronic conditions) to live independently in their own homes longer.

Home Controls, Inc., an award-winning company that has offered innovative products and services for the home automation industry since 1989, announced earlier this year that it has launched Caregiver Systems, a new division committed to providing quality and fully automated communication and wellness reporting solutions for seniors and those living with chronic conditions. Caregiver Systems was founded to provide a unique and innovative system that allows individuals to “age in place” while providing increased peace of mind for their families.
According to a June 2009 report from the AARP Policy Institute, the population 65 or older is projected to grow by 89 percent between 2007 and 2030, more than four times faster than the population overall. This aging population will skyrocket by another 118 percent between the years 2030 and 2050 as Baby Boomers reach 85. There are approximately 44.4 million caregivers in the U.S., who are struggling to care for their aging loved ones because of the astronomical costs of assisted living and full-time nursing care.

“With the growing number of seniors and caregivers, we saw a definite need for an easy-to-use, automated solution that allows people to stay in their own homes. Most people don’t realize that affordable home technology can supplement human interaction to delay or avoid the need for assisted living,” said Home Controls President Ken Kerr. “We believe our new division offers one of the most innovative and comprehensive solutions available, combining wellness reporting, activity alerts, communication and cognitive tools into a single system. Care facilities also benefit by reducing administrative work and increasing value to residents and their families.” Leveraging its 20-year history in home automation and the unique technology developed by

GrandCare Systems, Caregiver Systems by Home Controls is able to offer its customers the most advanced, feature-packed aging in place technology available today. It combines aspects of home automation, online communications, wellness reporting, activities of daily living alerts and cognitive tools into one easy-to-use, affordable package that pays for itself in the first 30 to 90 days of use. Caregiver Systems’ partners install and also provide a thorough, personalized orientation on how to use the simple touchscreen system.

Caregiver Systems – Complete, Simple, Effective
Caregiver Systems does not require separate systems for seniors and caregivers. The system consists of one touchscreen monitor and wireless “wellness sensors” placed throughout the senior’s home. The wellness sensors monitor important health indicators, including blood pressure, glucose levels, weight, activity and motion, sending wellness reports directly to a secure web page accessed by the caregiver or family member.
Caregiver Systems is also a complete communication system. Especially convenient for working caregivers, relatives and friends simply go online to send messages, reminders and pictures right to the touch screen. The senior needs no computer experience to receive full benefit from Caregiver Systems.
The Caregiver Systems solution includes:
– A central unit consisting of a sturdy touchscreen monitor that connects to any
Internet connection
– “Wellness sensors” which are discreetly placed around the residence to report
activity and wellness to the system
– One touch access to cognitive games, family pictures, appointment reminders and messages
– Complete system installation and family orientation
– Full monthly support of non-emergency functions, health and activity
monitoring/reporting
– Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) for 24/7 EMT monitoring and
response (optional)

“The beauty of Caregiver Systems is its simplicity. It provides all of the features you’d expect for a top of the line aging in place solution, yet it’s affordable; paying for itself in about three months,” said Cheryl Kerr, Caregiver Systems Division Manager. “We deliberately made the price competitive in order to reach millions of seniors and disabled individuals that want to stay independent in their own homes, and to also help millions of caregivers who are making incredible sacrifices for their loved ones.”
Caregiver Systems is available for installation, anywhere in the U.S. to to www.caregiversystems.com.
About Caregiver Systems
Caregiver Systems, a division of Home Controls Inc. provides affordable, fully installed, easy-touse monitoring and communication systems that provide family members with peace of mind through 24/7 automatic and remote monitoring of a senior’s important health indicators, environment and activities of daily living (ADL). Caregiver Systems allows seniors to age in place with increased safety, security and dignity. Care facilities also benefit by using this solution to enhance their services, improve communication and increase patient interaction.

For more information on how you or your loved one can age in place safely and securely please call 1-858-693-5545 x112 or go to www.caregiversystems.com.

AAHSA IDEA HOUSE – from an exhibitor’s perspective

I just read a blog on the AAHSA Idea house, which GrandCare participated in the last few days in Chicago. (http://www.seniorlivinginfo.com/senior_living_information/2009/11/touring-the-aahsa-idea-house.html#tpe-action-posted-6a00d834537bbc69e20120a68e040e970b)

It made me really think about how awesome it was to be a part of such innovation…to be a part of something that is changing the way we live. We are mapping out the territory as we go.

Being around and talking with these individuals re-emphasized how many passionate, forward-thinking, innovative individuals there are in this industry. People who have put it all out there, risked a whole lot to try and educate the world on the future of aging. That there is no reason that anyone should ever feel socially isolated and alone in this technology age. That our loved ones should be prompted to take medications at the right time, in the right dose. That people can remain active and independent, right at home. That if a family member does fall, a caregiver could know IMMEDIATELY and respond accordingly – or perhaps even more importantly – be able to prevent such a fall from happening in the first place.

So many exciting innovations that are ALREADY out there – AVAILABLE to the early-adopters. Those who realize that technology is changing the way we age, and for the better.

THIS IS THE FUTURE…buckle up!

Laura Mitchell
GrandCare Systems – AAHSA IDEA HOUSE
www.grandcare.com
262-338-6147

Age Tech Conference Call Nov 12 2009 2pm EST

Thursday November 12th, 2009
2pm EST/ 1pm CST
Topic: Distribution Channels for Remote
Patient-Monitoring Devices & Systems, Serge Kogan speaks

Go to: www.dimdim.com
Meeting Room: grandcare

Optional Dial-in available

1. Call Introduction & Announcements

2. Highlighted caller – Gordon Moore – from Paragon Insurance

3. TOPIC Distribution Channels for Remote Patient-Monitoring Devices & Systems (Who sells what to whom in the remote patient-monitoring market) This presentation will focus on selling approaches used by companies such as Bosch Healthcare, Honeywell Hommed, iMetrikus, Senticare and others who provide devices and/or services for remote patient monitoring.
Serge Kogan is a sales and marketing executive for advisory services, electronic technology and content management systems. He has over 20 years experience at iSuppli Corp. and Interleaf/Broadvision carrying out solution sales, developing new-product sales strategies and partner programs, go to market campaigns, and deploying sales and support organizations in Latin America. Following his graduation from Cornell University with a Masters in Electrical Engineering, Serge received his MBA from the University of Rochester, and worked at Eastman Kodak and Digital Equipment Corporation designing imaging systems, product managing storage devices and developing marketing campaigns for computer systems. His current interests are focused on bringing technology to the aging-in-place / aging-independently segment of the population.

4. Question/Answer Session

This call was brought to you by GrandCare Systems, a communication, cognition, ADL and Wellness monitoring technology. GrandCare is now accepting dealers into our dealer first program. Contact:
gcsales@homecontrols.com for more information.

Susan Ayers Walker – 11/5/09 Age/Tech Call

Topic: The Coming Trend of Consumer-Driven HealthCare Management in the Home by Susan Ayers Walker

THURSDAY 11-5-09 2pm EST/1pm CST/12n MST/11am PST
Meeting Room: www.dimdim.com
Join Meeting: grandcare
TOMORROW’S AGENDA:
1. Announcements
2. Highlighted Caller – Stacey Pierce from the Oaks (www.theoakssc.com) in Orangeburg, South Carolina
3. Topic: The Coming Trend of Consumer-Driven HealthCare Management in the Home by Susan Ayers Walker – Founder of the SmartSilvers Alliance
The goal of SmartSilvers is to leverage technologies which foster independence with a mission to promote awareness and development of innovative, consumer-friendly products that cater to the unique needs of our aging and disabled populations, providing independence, mobility and quality of life for them in their homes.

4. Next week: Serge Kogan speaks on Distribution Channels for Remote Patient-Monitoring Devices & Systems (Who sells what to whom in the remote patient-monitoring market)

This weekly Industry meeting was designed to increase exposure within this 20 billion dollar aging and technology industry. This webinar is free & open to all.

About your host: GrandCare Systems is a a sensor-based Wise Home technology that marries social connectivity, wellness assessment, ADL monitoring and cognitive assists into ONE easy-to-use Technology. For more information visit: www.grandcare.com. GrandCare is now accepting dealers. To find out more about our dealer program, contact gcsales@homecontrols.com

GrandCare selected as Age in Place Tech Watch – vendor of the month

Aging in Place Technology Watch October Newsletter by Laurie Orlov: ageinplacetech.com

…Given the patient/people, our vendor of the month has got to be GrandCare Systems and Charlie Hillman (a co-panelist in Boston). GrandCare’s sensor-based monitoring system addresses the social, monitoring, caregiver, and health issues in a single system. This is a conceptual model that more vendors need to embrace. And if I can nominate a second one, it would be the very new FloH Club, launched help older people get help with technology like computers and networks…

Read the entire article here: http://www.ageinplacetech.com/newsletter/aging-place-technology-watch-october-newsletter

All the best wishes for a great November,
Laurie Orlov
www.ageinplacetech.com