Disability professional with boy

Happy Developmental Disability Professionals Day

Developmental disability professionals go by many names, but their mission is the same: to ensure that developmentally disabled people live the fullest and most independent lives they can. They help others every day of the year, but on July 15th it’s their turn to be recognized.

GrandCare is delighted to support many disability service providers with enabling technologies to make the lives of their clients and staff safer, happier and healthier. Not to mention, in a very cost-effective way.

Many people with intellectual or developmental disabilities can live independently– if they have the right support. I/DD professionals provide it using a combination of in-person support, remote video chat check-ins and through remote monitoring technologies.

LADD, a Cincinnati-area disability service provider, provides the dignity of adulthood through housing, health and wellness, day programs, employment, and advocacy. They are also now partnering with GrandCare to develop a new service delivery model. “We’re focused on how to expand people’s options in the community for independence and individual growth,” said Brian Hart, Chief Strategy Officer at LADD. “I’m pretty lucky as the chief strategy officer at LADD. All I do is build out the future. And GrandCare is the perfect partner for where we’re going in disability services.”

“Disability service providers serve some of the most vulnerable people in the community. We’re so very proud to make the tools these heroes use every day,” said GrandCare CEO, Laura Mitchell

Do you know any developmental disability professionals? Today’s the day to let them know that you appreciate the important work that they do every day. It makes a difference in a lot of people’s lives. Reach out and thank them today!

Telehealth and the aging population

How COVID-19 is Driving Rapid Adoption of Telehealth for Aging Populations

If necessity is the mother of invention, crisis may be the father of adoption. Nowhere has the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic been felt more strongly than on seniors and the disabled. The need for social distancing has made clear the value of technology for bridging that distance.

“COVID-19 has accelerated the need for family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to have remote access to seniors as well as the disabled,” said Laura Mitchell, CEO of GrandCare systems, a leader in the aging and technology industry. “There has always been interest in technology tools among forward-thinking senior communities and home health care agencies, but since the pandemic, we have been inundated with calls and requests for video chat, telehealth capabilities and activity monitoring. Suddenly the value of these tools for the well-being of seniors and disabled people has become very concrete, very measurable.”

Mitchell was interviewed by host Karen Jagoda on a recent podcast hosted by Empower Patient Radio. In the episode entitled “COVID-19 Driving Faster Adoption of Telehealth for Aging Population,” Mitchell discussed the effects of COVID on senior housing and care services, and the tools that can help residents stay connected with family and friends, engaged and active, and healthy.

Empowered Patient Radio is a series of podcasts that focus on the latest innovations in digital health and the changing dynamic between doctors and patients. The audience includes medical professionals, researchers, patient advocates, entrepreneurs, patients, caregivers, solution providers, students, journalists, and investors.

Listen to the podcast: COVID-19 Driving Faster Adoption of Telehealth for Aging Population with Laura Mitchell GrandCare
View the transcript: Download transcript 
Check out the entire podcast series: Empowered Patient Radio

Aging During A Pandemic

Aging during a Pandemic: The new opportunity for CEDIA Experts

COVID-19 has turned aging and senior housing on its head. Social isolation, lack of health care works, and the fear of going to the hospital are a few of the unexpected challenges faced by seniors during the pandemic. But there are tools that can help seniors stay connected and healthy during these challenging times.

“We have been inundated with calls and requests for video chat, telehealth capabilities and activity monitoring,” said Laura Mitchell, CEO of GrandCare Systems, a pioneer in the aging and technology market, and maker of technology for senior monitoring, wellness and engagement. She was featured on a recent podcast, to talk about best practices for seniors and their families, homecare providers, senior housing communities, and the impact of COVID on the aging industry.

Mitchell and co-hosts Ed Wenck & Walt Zerbe discussed these and other issues of aging in place, aging in congregate living, and how seniors can thrive even in this time of COVID. The podcast, called “Living in Place and the Pandemic,” is part of the The CEDIA Podcast series of roundtable discussion on issues surrounding new and emerging technology.

Listen to the podcast: Living in Place and the Pandemic
Check out the entire podcast series: The CEDIA Podcast