video chat for remote supports

GrandCare CEO Chosen for Industry Expert Panel on Technology in IDD at Starling

GrandCare CEO, Laura Mitchell, will be joining several top experts in the disability technology industry for a panel on using technology in I/DD services at this year’s Starling Conference in Branson, Missouri.

Industry Expert Panel: Using Technology in IDD Services

November 18, 2025
2:20-3:00pm

Starling Conference
Hilton Branson Convention Center
200 E Main St
Branson, MO 65616

State of the Industry

According to the CDC, 61 million people in the US live with disabilities. In 2024, over half a million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were on their state’s waiting list to receive services, with nowhere to go. An astounding 90% of agencies that employ DSPs nationwide report “moderate” or “severe” staffing shortages, and as a result, 69 percent experience difficulty meeting established quality standards (as set at the agency level, because there is no federal set of quality measures to date). In 2023, the average turnover ratio for DSPs was 40 percent, with 87 percent of DSPs staying on the job for fewer than 36 months.

With such high demand and a staffing shortage, is there a solution? It appears there is, and the solution is remote supports via technology. Besides serving more people with less staff, assistive technology and remote supports are improving the lives of those living with disabilities.

In fact, there is research to back this up. A study from Xavier University’s Department of Occupational Therapy showed that remote patient monitoring & telehealth technologies including the flagship platform, GrandCare Systems, increased client independence, reduced in-person caregiving hours, and cut the staffing costs dramatically.

One of the metrics used in the study was success in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These include tasks such as: bathing, dressing, and eating, but also financial management, shopping and meal preparation. The technologies “allowed for residents to perform more of their ADLs and IADLs successfully, with less supervision.” Not only that, but technology-assisted care brought “increases in participants’ self-ratings of performance and satisfaction.”

Advantages of Technology Supports

GrandCare is a large intuitive and personalized touchscreen that provides residence-wide assists, tasks, and schedules. GrandCare also enables easy access to remote support with one touch video calls. It integrates with a wide range of remote activity monitoring sensors and telehealth devices that can alert designated caregivers if support is needed. It’s great for single occupant residences and for homes with multiple supported people. Providing support through GrandCare can enable greater independence for those already in community supported living, and it can often graduate individuals to a new level of independence.

activity monitoring and remote supports

The advantage of remote supports include:

  • Do MORE with FEWER resources
  • Achieve independence
  • Save money
  • Improve efficiency
  • Better health outcomes
  • Improved happiness
  • Better connection

About Starling Conference 2025

This professional development opportunity is designed for executives, managers, and emerging leaders from community providers who are eager to connect with others to learn new concepts, share ideas, and work together to strengthen services for Missourians with disabilities.

Want to Learn More?

Not able to attend the conference but would like to know more about technology for I/DD services? Schedule a consultation with us.