In 2012, I moved my parents out of their home and into an assisted-living community. This was a whole new world for all of us — lots of learning and experimenting. The community did offer pendants for residents to press when they needed something (anything) from a caregiver. My mom was never known for her patience. And my dad was struggling with the onset of dementia; so, the pendant was never satisfying for a wide variety of reasons, including the time it took for my mother to press the pendant and for someone to check on her. We brought in our own caregivers to supplement what we were receiving in the community and provide a more enriching life for my parents.
Three years later, after starting a Family Council at the community but becoming frustrated at the lack of responsiveness and level of care, we moved both of my parents to another community. My father moved upstairs to memory care, where he died shortly thereafter. Again, my mom was given a pendant and again she was frustrated by it for the same reasons. But, the community overall was better staffed, my mother had adjusted to the idea of being in assisted-care, as we had. But, as often happens, management changed at the community. It was owned by a private-equity firm who brought in a different company to manage it; and, not surprisingly, their first order of business was to reduce costs, which meant reducing care. We quickly moved again.
So, at the end of 2019, my mom — together with a good friend she met at the previous community — moved to a new one. I liked almost everything better about this facility except for one thing: no pendants. Instead, they had a pull cord in a few places in the room, though my wheelchair-bound mother couldn’t reach the cords and, as she was cognitively in decline, she would forget those options were there for her.
That’s when I went searching for a solution
I was recommended to personally contact the CEO of GrandCare, which right away made me more interested. At this point in my family caregiving role, I learned that personal recommendations are often particularly fruitful and — more so — if a CEO of a tech company is willing to speak with a customer, that speaks to how much they care and want to learn how even better serve those in need. We placed an order for the GrandCare system. When it arrived, a customer-service team member quickly and easily walked me through set up — both the hardware and the app on my phone. Finally, I could check in with my mother without her needing to carry a cellphone (and remembering to have it near her, listen for it, and answer it), which had become increasingly difficult.
For all of these now seven-plus years that my mom had been in assisted living, I was able to visit her almost daily. But then, Covid hit and the world changed. How fortunate I was to be able not only to speak with my mother, but to see her and observe her care. I was the often “third person in the room,” as my mother was being cared for by individuals she didn’t recognize because they were now wearing masks. The closeness with my mother that I was about to virtually achieve with GrandCare, as well as many of the additional features the system offered, was exactly what we needed and continue to need. I don’t really know what I would have done without it, except to feel as if I’m no longer connected and far less informed.
Anytime we had a question about the system or additional functionality, GrandCare would jump on a call. And during the course of the past many months, I’ve even suggested a few minor tweaks to the system, which their tech people not only appreciated but implemented. Thank you, GrandCare.
– Peter, son of a GrandCare user
https://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/mom-outside.jpg11791766info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/grandcare-logo-300x138.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2020-10-13 18:03:232020-10-13 18:03:23Choosing the right community– My search for a technology solution and how GrandCare helped Mom during COVID
The Connected Health Summit, hosted by research firm Parks Associates, provides industry players with in-depth analysis on the implications of the connected healthcare revolution – and the resulting consumerization of healthcare – for multiple industries: broadband service providers, retailers, device makers and distributors, and health systems and providers.
This year has provided unprecedented challenges and new opportunities for the independent living, senior housing and healthcare industry. “COVID has presented some unique opportunities for innovation to eliminate the struggles seniors and the disability population are facing during these times,” said GrandCare CEO, Laura Mitchell. “Before the pandemic, technology was only a ‘nice to have,’ but now it’s essential. I believe this will be a permanent change in how we deliver care.”
Session Info
Independent Living Solutions: Adapting to Market Acceleration
Tuesday, September 2, 11am CT
Track: COVID-19 exposed the vulnerability of our senior population. In addition to the high risks of infection, the necessity of social distancing exacerbates seniors’ social isolation and makes family caregivers’ jobs even more difficult. Demand for communication, telehealth, and independent living solutions to assist seniors in living well and safely at home has never been greater. This session explores how service and technology providers are responding to this new demand and what the independent living market will look like coming out of the COVID-19 crisis.
Speakers: Chuck Hector, Chief Revenue Officer, Papa Sarah Jones, Vice President, Commercial Product, Best Buy Health Laura Mitchell, CEO, GrandCare Systems Kian Saneii, CEO, Independa
Moderator: Jennifer Kent, Senior Director, Parks Associates
GrandCare, on the market since 2005, is designed to reduce hospitalizations, manage health conditions and keep individuals more independent and connected to their loved ones. The heart of GrandCare is a large touchscreen appliance, which provides the individual with social communications, games, music, instructions, reminders and medication prompts. Optional telehealth & activity devices can wirelessly report information and remotely send email, text and phone alerts to caregivers if something seems amiss. No computer skills are needed for the resident. GrandCare is utilized by family caregivers, professional in-home care organizations, senior housing communities and disability providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com, call 262-338-6147, or send an email to: sales@grandcare.com.
ABOUT CONNECTED HEALTH SUMMIT
Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation is a three-day executive conference focused on the impact of connected devices and IoT healthcare solutions on consumers at home. Connected Health Summit anticipates increasing demand for both clinical and consumer health and wellness solutions aimed at improving the quality of life for people living and seeking support at home. The expansion of connected medical devices and telehealth services into the home, as well as the increasing movement of connected consumer devices into health and wellness, is growing new markets for independent living solutions that serve the elderly, patients with chronic conditions, rural households, and caretakers. Subscribe to Parks Associates’ digital health newsletter at http://www.parksassociates.com/newsletters_subscribe.
https://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CHS-2020-Speaker-Laura-Mitchell-Grandcare-Systems-1.png528792info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/grandcare-logo-300x138.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2020-09-01 20:50:322020-09-01 20:50:32GrandCare to Speak on Independent Living Solutions at Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation
There is no definite timeframe as to when the COVID-19 virus will have subsided and when it will be safe to spend significant amounts of time out in public again. Because people want to preserve their health and avoid public places as much as possible, people are choosing to continue to quarantine for the foreseeable future, especially the elderly.
The COVID-19 virus is unlike anything the world has ever seen, and because of that, people don’t know what to expect when it comes to what’s next in regards to this infectious illness. As people are taking the necessary precautions, specifically seniors, they are growing bored of sitting at home and doing the same thing they have been doing since March. In fact, an expert from a company that handles in-home senior care said that seniors are also beginning to feel isolated while self-quarantining. This post will detail the top 3 ways that seniors can stay connected while also staying entertained while in quarantine.
Ways for Seniors to Entertain Themselves at Home
Seniors are at the most risk of the COVID-19 virus so it’s important that they do all that they can to preserve their health, even if that means quarantining a little bit longer than the rest of the world. If you are a senior and are choosing to preserve your health by staying at home, here are three ways that you can keep your mind occupied while still staying connected to the outside world.
Utilize Video Chatting
Video Chatting is perhaps the best and easiest way for seniors to stay connected to friends and family while in quarantine. Video chatting can be done on a computer, phone, or tablet, making it easily accessible for seniors. Some ways that seniors can call friends and family include:
If you are a senior, you should schedule times with different loved ones as this will give you something to look forward to. Video chatting will also be beneficial to your life even after you no longer have to quarantine as it is a way to catch up with friends and family that don’t live close by.
Join a Virtual Book Club
Building off of the idea of video chatting, consider joining or starting a virtual book club. Virtual book clubs are exactly what they sound like, book clubs that meet online via a video chat. There are countless online book clubs that you can join, or you can start your own informal one. Consider calling friends and family, especially those that are also continuing to self-quarantine, and ask them if they are interested in reading the same book and meet once or a few times a week to discuss it.
Virtual book clubs will give you something to look forward to every few days and will give you the incentive to read- a great way to keep your mind occupied while stuck at home. Choose a book based on your personal interests so that you look forward to reading it.
Play Online Games
Many seniors never consider playing online games as a way to stay connected and occupied. However, online games are an outstanding pastime for aging adults who are trying to limit their public presence as much as possible. Seniors can play games on Facebook, on the internet, on apps, and even on various gaming systems such as PlayStation and Xbox. Some online games (or online versions of games) that are popular amongst the older generation include:
Words with Friends
Animal Crossing
Scrabble
Minecraft
Family Feud
League of Legends
Online games will keep seniors entertained since there are thousands to choose from, and they can also play against or on teams with friends and family. Seniors that are choosing to quarantine and are considering playing online games should consider playing with grandchildren. This will give them the opportunity to be able to bond with their grandchildren in a unique way and stay busy while doing so.
Staying Healthy While Also Staying Connected
It’s important to keep the mind occupied while quarantining, especially for seniors since they will likely have to quarantine for longer than the younger generation who is not at as much of a risk of COVID-19. Keeping the mind occupied will not only have a great impact on one’s happiness, but it could also positively impact a person’s overall mental health. If you are a senior, keep these suggestions in mind as you consider other ways to entertain yourself. Or, if you are not a senior but have a senior in your life, suggest these activities to him or her and try to be a part of them.
About the Author
Kelsey Simpson enjoys writing about things that can help others. She lives in South Jersey and is the proud companion to two German Shepherds and spends her free time volunteering in dog shelters.
https://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/senior-man-using-laptop-in-the-living-room-5VDATYX.jpg9221382info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/grandcare-logo-300x138.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2020-08-14 20:26:562020-08-14 20:26:56Top 3 Ways Seniors Can Keep Busy and Stay Connected While Self-Quarantining
Choosing the right community– My search for a technology solution and how GrandCare helped Mom during COVID
In 2012, I moved my parents out of their home and into an assisted-living community. This was a whole new world for all of us — lots of learning and experimenting. The community did offer pendants for residents to press when they needed something (anything) from a caregiver. My mom was never known for her patience. And my dad was struggling with the onset of dementia; so, the pendant was never satisfying for a wide variety of reasons, including the time it took for my mother to press the pendant and for someone to check on her. We brought in our own caregivers to supplement what we were receiving in the community and provide a more enriching life for my parents.
Three years later, after starting a Family Council at the community but becoming frustrated at the lack of responsiveness and level of care, we moved both of my parents to another community. My father moved upstairs to memory care, where he died shortly thereafter. Again, my mom was given a pendant and again she was frustrated by it for the same reasons. But, the community overall was better staffed, my mother had adjusted to the idea of being in assisted-care, as we had. But, as often happens, management changed at the community. It was owned by a private-equity firm who brought in a different company to manage it; and, not surprisingly, their first order of business was to reduce costs, which meant reducing care. We quickly moved again.
So, at the end of 2019, my mom — together with a good friend she met at the previous community — moved to a new one. I liked almost everything better about this facility except for one thing: no pendants. Instead, they had a pull cord in a few places in the room, though my wheelchair-bound mother couldn’t reach the cords and, as she was cognitively in decline, she would forget those options were there for her.
That’s when I went searching for a solution
I was recommended to personally contact the CEO of GrandCare, which right away made me more interested. At this point in my family caregiving role, I learned that personal recommendations are often particularly fruitful and — more so — if a CEO of a tech company is willing to speak with a customer, that speaks to how much they care and want to learn how even better serve those in need. We placed an order for the GrandCare system. When it arrived, a customer-service team member quickly and easily walked me through set up — both the hardware and the app on my phone. Finally, I could check in with my mother without her needing to carry a cellphone (and remembering to have it near her, listen for it, and answer it), which had become increasingly difficult.
For all of these now seven-plus years that my mom had been in assisted living, I was able to visit her almost daily. But then, Covid hit and the world changed. How fortunate I was to be able not only to speak with my mother, but to see her and observe her care. I was the often “third person in the room,” as my mother was being cared for by individuals she didn’t recognize because they were now wearing masks. The closeness with my mother that I was about to virtually achieve with GrandCare, as well as many of the additional features the system offered, was exactly what we needed and continue to need. I don’t really know what I would have done without it, except to feel as if I’m no longer connected and far less informed.
Anytime we had a question about the system or additional functionality, GrandCare would jump on a call. And during the course of the past many months, I’ve even suggested a few minor tweaks to the system, which their tech people not only appreciated but implemented. Thank you, GrandCare.
– Peter, son of a GrandCare user
GrandCare to Speak on Independent Living Solutions at Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation
Remote patient monitoring and virtual caregiving technology pioneer GrandCare Systems announced that their CEO, Laura Mitchell, will be speaking this week at the virtual 2020 Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation, held September 1-3.
The Connected Health Summit, hosted by research firm Parks Associates, provides industry players with in-depth analysis on the implications of the connected healthcare revolution – and the resulting consumerization of healthcare – for multiple industries: broadband service providers, retailers, device makers and distributors, and health systems and providers.
This year has provided unprecedented challenges and new opportunities for the independent living, senior housing and healthcare industry. “COVID has presented some unique opportunities for innovation to eliminate the struggles seniors and the disability population are facing during these times,” said GrandCare CEO, Laura Mitchell. “Before the pandemic, technology was only a ‘nice to have,’ but now it’s essential. I believe this will be a permanent change in how we deliver care.”
Session Info
Independent Living Solutions: Adapting to Market Acceleration
Tuesday, September 2, 11am CT
Track: COVID-19 exposed the vulnerability of our senior population. In addition to the high risks of infection, the necessity of social distancing exacerbates seniors’ social isolation and makes family caregivers’ jobs even more difficult. Demand for communication, telehealth, and independent living solutions to assist seniors in living well and safely at home has never been greater. This session explores how service and technology providers are responding to this new demand and what the independent living market will look like coming out of the COVID-19 crisis.
Speakers:
Chuck Hector, Chief Revenue Officer, Papa
Sarah Jones, Vice President, Commercial Product, Best Buy Health
Laura Mitchell, CEO, GrandCare Systems
Kian Saneii, CEO, Independa
Moderator:
Jennifer Kent, Senior Director, Parks Associates
The 7th-annual Connected Health Summit will take place virtually September 1–3, 2020. www.connectedhealthsummit.com. To register visit, http://www.parksassociates.com/events/connected-health/register. Follow the conference on Twitter at @CONN_Health_Smt and #CONNHealth20.
ABOUT GRANDCARE SYSTEMS
GrandCare, on the market since 2005, is designed to reduce hospitalizations, manage health conditions and keep individuals more independent and connected to their loved ones. The heart of GrandCare is a large touchscreen appliance, which provides the individual with social communications, games, music, instructions, reminders and medication prompts. Optional telehealth & activity devices can wirelessly report information and remotely send email, text and phone alerts to caregivers if something seems amiss. No computer skills are needed for the resident. GrandCare is utilized by family caregivers, professional in-home care organizations, senior housing communities and disability providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com, call 262-338-6147, or send an email to: sales@grandcare.com.
ABOUT CONNECTED HEALTH SUMMIT
Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation is a three-day executive conference focused on the impact of connected devices and IoT healthcare solutions on consumers at home. Connected Health Summit anticipates increasing demand for both clinical and consumer health and wellness solutions aimed at improving the quality of life for people living and seeking support at home. The expansion of connected medical devices and telehealth services into the home, as well as the increasing movement of connected consumer devices into health and wellness, is growing new markets for independent living solutions that serve the elderly, patients with chronic conditions, rural households, and caretakers. Subscribe to Parks Associates’ digital health newsletter at http://www.parksassociates.com/newsletters_subscribe.
Top 3 Ways Seniors Can Keep Busy and Stay Connected While Self-Quarantining
There is no definite timeframe as to when the COVID-19 virus will have subsided and when it will be safe to spend significant amounts of time out in public again. Because people want to preserve their health and avoid public places as much as possible, people are choosing to continue to quarantine for the foreseeable future, especially the elderly.
The COVID-19 virus is unlike anything the world has ever seen, and because of that, people don’t know what to expect when it comes to what’s next in regards to this infectious illness. As people are taking the necessary precautions, specifically seniors, they are growing bored of sitting at home and doing the same thing they have been doing since March. In fact, an expert from a company that handles in-home senior care said that seniors are also beginning to feel isolated while self-quarantining. This post will detail the top 3 ways that seniors can stay connected while also staying entertained while in quarantine.
Ways for Seniors to Entertain Themselves at Home
Seniors are at the most risk of the COVID-19 virus so it’s important that they do all that they can to preserve their health, even if that means quarantining a little bit longer than the rest of the world. If you are a senior and are choosing to preserve your health by staying at home, here are three ways that you can keep your mind occupied while still staying connected to the outside world.
Utilize Video Chatting
Video Chatting is perhaps the best and easiest way for seniors to stay connected to friends and family while in quarantine. Video chatting can be done on a computer, phone, or tablet, making it easily accessible for seniors. Some ways that seniors can call friends and family include:
If you are a senior, you should schedule times with different loved ones as this will give you something to look forward to. Video chatting will also be beneficial to your life even after you no longer have to quarantine as it is a way to catch up with friends and family that don’t live close by.
Join a Virtual Book Club
Building off of the idea of video chatting, consider joining or starting a virtual book club. Virtual book clubs are exactly what they sound like, book clubs that meet online via a video chat. There are countless online book clubs that you can join, or you can start your own informal one. Consider calling friends and family, especially those that are also continuing to self-quarantine, and ask them if they are interested in reading the same book and meet once or a few times a week to discuss it.
Virtual book clubs will give you something to look forward to every few days and will give you the incentive to read- a great way to keep your mind occupied while stuck at home. Choose a book based on your personal interests so that you look forward to reading it.
Play Online Games
Many seniors never consider playing online games as a way to stay connected and occupied. However, online games are an outstanding pastime for aging adults who are trying to limit their public presence as much as possible. Seniors can play games on Facebook, on the internet, on apps, and even on various gaming systems such as PlayStation and Xbox. Some online games (or online versions of games) that are popular amongst the older generation include:
Online games will keep seniors entertained since there are thousands to choose from, and they can also play against or on teams with friends and family. Seniors that are choosing to quarantine and are considering playing online games should consider playing with grandchildren. This will give them the opportunity to be able to bond with their grandchildren in a unique way and stay busy while doing so.
Staying Healthy While Also Staying Connected
It’s important to keep the mind occupied while quarantining, especially for seniors since they will likely have to quarantine for longer than the younger generation who is not at as much of a risk of COVID-19. Keeping the mind occupied will not only have a great impact on one’s happiness, but it could also positively impact a person’s overall mental health. If you are a senior, keep these suggestions in mind as you consider other ways to entertain yourself. Or, if you are not a senior but have a senior in your life, suggest these activities to him or her and try to be a part of them.
About the Author
Kelsey Simpson enjoys writing about things that can help others. She lives in South Jersey and is the proud companion to two German Shepherds and spends her free time volunteering in dog shelters.