LivHOME CareMonitor™ Powered by GrandCare Begins Nationwide Rollout

Professional Care Managers Can Monitor Seniors via the Web, Maintaining Both Independence and Safety Offers Cost-Saving Alternative to Home Care 

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–When Howard, a 90-year-old living in Walnut Creek, Calif., needs his blood pressure or oxygen level checked, the data are transmitted directly from monitors on his arm and finger and immediately made available to his geriatric Care Manager. His body weight is also sent from a Bluetooth-enabled scale.

Because Howard has congestive heart failure and lung disease, the ability to monitor this data is crucial. Yet, it is executed with ease in the comfort of his own home.

And when he wants to view new photos of family and friends or even listen to his favorite jazz, all Howard has to do is touch a button on the same, simple device that connects him with his Care Manager.

Howard is one of the first seniors in the nation to use LivHOME CareMonitor™, a web-based, touch-screen service powered by GrandCare Systems that lets Howard’s professional Care Manager, Francesca Wood, monitor his health and safety remotely.

“With LivHOME CareMonitor™, I know that Francesca is aware of my health and vital signs at any time of the day, while I retain my independence and privacy. It also lets me stay connected with my family and friends at the touch of a button,” Howard said.

LivHOME CareMonitor™ (www.livhomecaremonitor.com), a remote care service first announced in March, is beginning to roll out nationwide where LivHOME services are offered. It is currently available in Los Angeles, Walnut Creek and Riverside, Calif., and will continue to be rolled out to additional markets in late 2012 and early 2013. LivHOME CareMonitor™ is provided by LivHOME, Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of professionally led at-home care for seniors.

Seniors access the LivHOME CareMonitor™ service through an easy-to-use, web-based, touch-screen interface developed by GrandCare Systems. LivHOME Care Managers can monitor their clients using the web-based service and are alerted immediately if any problems arise. The system can track medication schedules, movements around the house and biometric readings such as blood pressure, glucose, blood oxygen and body weight.

“LivHOME CareMonitor™ represents an entirely new approach to caregiving, enabling us to monitor the health and safety of our clients – but without the intrusiveness or cost of hands-on care. This provides greater independence and privacy, while significantly reducing the cost of care. It also extends our caregiving services to a whole new demographic of seniors, those who would benefit from some assistance to remain independent in their home but don’t require a full-time caregiver,” said Mike Nicholson, LivHOME’s Chief Executive Officer.

“In 1999, LivHOME was one of the first companies to place caregiver supervision under a professional Care Manager’s responsibility. In 2012, LivHOME is a pioneer once more – placing remote home care technology oversight under a Care Manager’s responsibility,” Nicholson continued.

Features of the LivHOME CareMonitor™ service include:

  • Professional Care Manager assessment
  • Installation and setup of system
  • Touch-screen computer
  • Personal emergency response system
  • 24/7 alert monitoring and Care Manager availability
  • Medication, appointment and social reminders
  • Skype connectivity, photos, messages, music
  • Motion and pressure sensors, door monitors
  • Biometric measurements including weight, glucose, blood pressure, blood oxygen monitors

LivHOME CareMonitor™, powered by GrandCare Systems’ award-winning technology, is available in multiple configurations depending upon the needs of the individual senior.

To find out more about LivHOME CareMonitor™, please contact Mickey Goldkorn
at mgoldkorn@livhome.com or visit the LivHOME CareMonitor™ website
at www.livhomecaremonitor.com.

About LivHOME

LivHOME is one of the nation’s largest providers of professionally led at-home care for seniors. The company is dedicated to finding solutions that enable older adults to remain in their homes as long as possible. Based in Los Angeles, LivHOME delivers high quality at-home care throughout California as well as Arlington, Va., Atlanta, Austin, Tx., Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Silver Spring, Md. and The Woodlands, Tx.

Contacts

For LivHOME
Sharon Bially, 508-655-2676
sharon@farrellkramer.com

Why Z-wave is Impacting Digital Health: A LIVE Interview

Recently at the Z-Wave Alliance fall summit, GrandCare’s VP of Business Development was interviewed on Digital Health, what GrandCare does and how Z-Wave is impacting the Digital Health market.  Watch what the Z-Wave customers have to say in this LIVE interview from Z-Wave Fall Summit Press Interview. Laura Mitchell chimes in at about 2 mins and 30 seconds.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78tQiPsYUQk&feature=youtu.be]

GrandCare’s Laura Mitchell Nominated for TrailBlazer Award

GrandCare’s own Laura Mitchell has been nominated by the Digital Health Industry for the WEGO Health Activist “Trailblazer” Award!

You can support this nomination by endorsing Laura today!

GrandCare Returns to CES Digital Health Pavilion for 5th consecutive year!

GrandCare announced today that they plan to return to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, for their 5th consecutive year. GrandCare will be located in Las Vegas Convention Center, LVCC South Hall Booth 26629 within the Digital Health Pavilion. This will be a special year for GrandCare, as a 2012 winner of the CEA Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. CES is held every January at the Las Vegas Convention Center. CES 2013 promises the shifting focus to Digital Health, Fitness and Aging in Place Technologies with large pavilions and information-rich educational sessions.

“One cannot separate the rising costs of healthcare from the aging population boom”, said GrandCare founder, Charlie Hillman “The majority of our healthcare costs are spent in the later years of life. If we continue our healthcare focus on pounds of cure, we will most certainly bankrupt our grandchildren. At GrandCare, we strive to provide ounces of prevention through our innovative digital health tablet platform. This will not only save money, it will also enable individuals to self-manage chronic conditions from the luxury of their own homes.

Hillman is slated to present on Healthcare and the importance of digital health during the Digital Health Summit on January 9th at 10:15a, LVCC North N250.

GrandCare Systems will provide full demonstrations of the Digital Health platform within their booth (LVCC S 26629) in the Digital Health Pavilion. Attendees will experience the socialization, gaming & video chat features, while delving into telehealth, medication management & activity of daily living remote monitoring capabilities.

The Las Vegas Convention Center North Exhibit Hall is open Tuesday January 8th until Friday January 11th. For more information on the CES Show, visit: http://www.cesweb.org/

GrandCare is coordinating a no-host meet up on Monday evening at the West Wing Bar inside the MGM. All are welcome to join. Please RSVP here

GrandCare spotlighted at Z-WAVE Fall Conference

GrandCare’s Laura Mitchell recently returned from the Z-Wave Fall conference after keynoting on Digital Health and the GrandCare System (how z-wave plays a critical role).  Z-Wave has really taken an active role in engaging in the digital health industry and GrandCare is excited to be spotlighted as a Z-Wave Featured Company on the Z-Wave Alliance Website.

“At the forefront of the Connected Aging space, GrandCare’s System connects via the Internet and communicates with wireless Z-Wave sensors throughout the residence. At our Fall Summit, VP of Business Development Laura Mitchell will deliver a presentation on the GrandCare system and how Z-Wave provides empowered independent aging.”    Visit the Z-Wave Alliance website here

Lindsey from Residential Magazine attended Mitchell’s presentation and had this to say:

By Lindsey Adler November 2,2012

… This year’s event highlighted three key note speakers, including Laura Mitchell, VP of Business Development at GrandCare.  GrandCare’s “aging in place” technology has benefited from situations where senior citizens are transitioned from hospital emergency rooms to outpatient centers and eventually their own homes. GrandCare’s value add is software, Mitchell explained, meaning they work with existing protocol devices to develop unique health solutions with any range of hardware. “The key to this industry is partnerships,” she said. For CEDIA dealers, this means developing working relationships with long term care providers, outpatient centers, and other healthcare facilities.

…

To read the full article, click here. 

Z-Wave Alliance Featured Company: GrandCare Systems

Demographics throughout the world point squarely to an aging population.  In the US alone, 77 million Baby Boomers have begun turning senior, and 44 million of these individuals are already acting as caregivers to elderly parents and loved ones. Many nations in Europe and Asia are even older per capita.  We are in the midst of a senior population bulge that will last for the next 20-30 years.

Accessible monitoring, control and alert solutions powered by Z-Wave provide invaluable assistance to the wellness and convenience of these Boomer seniors — as well as the elderly loved ones for whom they are caregivers. These connected aging solutions are, and will continue to be, a vital demand for this enormous emerging market.

2012 mHealth Summit MEET-UP

The GrandCare team is delighted to once again attend the mHealth Summit this year at the Gaylord National Resort December 3 – 5.

Join the GrandCare team and others in the industry at the mHealth no-host MEET UP, Monday evening (Dec 3 – 830p) at the The Public House in National Harbor. This is an opportunity to casually meet up and network with colleagues throughout the Digital and Mobile Health Industry.

This event is free and requires no tickets. You can RSVP here and see who else is attending!

GrandCare will be hosting private meetings throughout the conference. To schedule a meeting or demo with GrandCare, please contact us

The 4th annual mHealth Summit attracts leaders from all sides of the spectrum, from government to non-profit organizations, The main focus for this event is the advancement of health related outcomes through the  use of technology. GrandCare is excited to be participating in this event. Backed by a full agenda, this event looks at current mobile health technology and ways to better it both in the United States as well as internationally. By utilizing mobile technology we can help providers deliver better care and create more awareness and promote better health for patients.

December 3rd – 5th, 2012

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center        

Fort Washington, Maryland

The 2012 mHealth Summit is the premier international forum connecting the mobile health ecosystem for mHealth research, education, thought leadership, exhibits and action-provoking panel discussions. Conference sessions will explore, examine, and debate the ways mobile technology is transforming  health care delivery, research, business and policy for the 21st century both in the U.S. and internationally, including developed and developing nations.

Click here to learn more about the 2012 mHealth Summit

Nick McLain, CEDIA – On Digital Home Health

Nick McLain has recently written a great article on entering the digital home health field. He covers not only the basic demographics and applications, but takes a moment to point out the challenges and need for integrators to really understand the health care industry.  He used industry experts: Laurie Orlov (Age in Place Technology Watch), GrandCare’s own, Laura Mitchell, and GrandCare partner, Tom Ardolf of Cybermation .

“This is more about understanding home health care and its industry than it is about understanding the technology, which most integrators can get pretty easily.” – Ardolf

Digital Home Health Continues Its Ascent –
But Is It Viable for the CE Industry?

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Nick McLain

Ed Thelen, 69, of Cold Spring is able to live in his apartment with the help of an integrated monitoring system marketed locally by Cybermation.
Jason Wachter, jwachter@stcloudtimes.com

“You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger endorser of digital home health technology than Ed Thelen of Cold Spring, Minn.

That’s not how the 70-year-old originally felt when his daughter, who also acts as his caregiver, proposed getting such a system a year ago. “My first reaction was, ‘I don’t need anything like that,’” he says. “But she talked me into it, and I’m really glad she did. It’s absolutely wonderful.”

Thelen, who has Parkinson’s and diabetes, records his blood pressure and weight, and the results are sent to his doctor. The unit he uses, a Grandcare System, also has Skype capabilities so that Thelen can talk to and see his relatives, and in particular his grandchildren, often. “I can see them all the time now,” he says. “It helps me keep in close contact with everybody.”

Telehealth, digital home health, remote monitoring, aging in place, e-health, m-health — whatever you want to call it, the industry, which aims to deliver health care remotely through technology, is a burgeoning one. Laurie Orlov, an industry analyst and founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch, puts the size of the digital home health care industry at approximately $6-7 billion — and growing.”

…

Laura Mitchell, vice president of business development for Grandcare Systems, says many of her dealers lower the initial upfront cost of the equipment and instead spread it out over monthly fees. After the equipment is paid for, the monthly fees are pure profit.

Ardolf started offering digital home health products and services in 2010. After two years, he is so satisfied with it that he sold the low-voltage electronic portion of his business, and now Cybermation focuses exclusively on digital home health.

Read more at www.cedia.net/blog