Today, GrandCare welcomes guest blogger Kim Sharbatz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Dental Solutions. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us, Kim.
Whether you’re facing the struggles of old age yourself, or you’re concerned for your aged parents or grandparents, you’re likely keenly aware of the stress, confusion, and even fear that can accompany growing older. Not only are health problems more common, but conditions that used to be minor can now take on a much more serious role.
At the same time, no parent wants to feel that they’re a burden on their grown children, and no child wants to take away their parent’s dignity or independence. It’s important to reach a balance. Advancements in senior technology like the GrandCare system help accomplish that balance by providing the means to keep tabs on conditions, so problems can be detected and addressed early, by providing easy, one-touch access to family or professional caregivers, and providing other more passive assurances, like medication reminders and alerts to notify caregivers of abnormal events.
A recent article in Everyday Health listed many of the common health conditions seniors face today. And GrandCare can help seniors manage all the most common concerns. Here’s how.
1. Arthritis
Dealing with the chronic pain and discomfort that comes with arthritis can be very difficult. In many cases, little can be done to treat this condition beyond pain medication and education on how to maneuver to avoid flare ups.
GrandCare can help in two important ways:
By providing scheduled reminders to take prescribed pain medication at the right time and the right dosage to keep painful flareups at bay,
By using a touchscreen interface that is simple for arthritic hands and fingers to operate.
2. Heart disease
Heart disease has been reported to affect 37% of men and 26% of women over the age of 65. It can range in severity, and unfortunately it doesn’t always offer warning signs before progressing.
A GrandCare system can help those who suffer with heart disease in several ways:
By providing scheduled reminders to take prescribed medication to manage their heart condition,
By providing scheduled reminders for the senior’s use of wellness monitors such as an integrated blood pressure cuff or oximeter, to automatically record readings, and to allow caregivers to monitor the vitals remotely,
By providing alerts to the senior or caregivers when readings haven’t been taken at the proper time, or when readings that fall outside of a defined range,
By providing wall-mounted and wearable “action buttons” that the senior can use to alert family or professional caregivers if they’re experiencing chest pain, or if something is amiss.
3. Cancer
Second only to heart disease as a cause of death in the United States, cancer affects 28% of men and 21% of women over the age of 65. Although treating cancer requires far more than monitoring and managing the disease, there are aspects of treatment that can be made easier and more effective through home health monitoring.
The GrandCare system offers the following features to aid in this difficult health issue:
Scheduled reminders to take what can be a confusing volume of prescription drugs throughout the day, as well as reminders for frequent doctor’s visits,
Integrated access to wellness monitors such as a scale, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and oximeter, that help seniors and remote caregivers monitor vitals, and see how the body is reacting to treatment.
4. Respiratory diseases
Asthma, emphysema, and COPD, and other respiratory diseases, plague thousands of seniors every day. Whether their individual treatment requires the continual use of oxygen and medications, or adjustments in behavior to manage the disease, it can be difficult to manage.
The GrandCare system offers the following key features to help seniors facing respiratory illness:
Scheduled reminders to take prescription medications, nebulizer treatments, or oxygen as directed,
Wellness monitoring via an oximeter that automatically records and reports pulse and blood oxygen levels, to routinely confirm adequate oxygen,
Automatic alerts to the senior or caregivers when readings haven’t been taken at the proper time, or when vitals readings fall outside of a defined range,
Access to “action buttons” that can alert family or professional caregivers if something is amiss.
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease and other memory decline conditions can be frightening and debilitating, as they can slowly rob an individual of their memories and their ability to function independently.
The GrandCare system offers tools for caregivers that can help preserve an senior’s independence and dignity for as long as possible:
Motion sensors that can confirm the individual is caring for important daily health habits, such as overall hygiene, oral health care, and food preparation,
Contact sensors on doors to alert caregivers if the senior may be wandering during the night, or to verify a visitor has arrived when expected,
Scheduled reminders for any and all daily activities that the individual may have a difficult time managing,
Communication – via voice, video, or text – with family and friends to help alleviate the risk of social isolation,
Games and other tools that can serve to keep the brain active and engaged, staving off the disease’s progression.
If you or a loved one is facing these or any other common conditions affecting older adults, we know it’s a difficult, stressful situation to deal with. The goal of the GrandCare system is to use technology to help make managing and living with these conditions easier and less stressful, and to help seniors stay healthy and independent longer.
Combined with adequate medical, dental, and psychological health care, and professional nursing care as needed, GrandCare can provide both practical help in managing senior health, and valuable peace of mind for seniors and their caregivers.
00info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/grandcare-logo-300x138.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2017-01-05 11:00:392017-01-05 11:00:39Managing the 5 Most Common Health Conditions for Seniors
2016 has been an incredible year for GrandCare. First, we put out a call for new affiliate partners. Boy, did we get a response! More than forty of you have traveled to West Bend to be trained in the foundations of digital health. Our GrandCare family is expanding rapidly! (The next training session is January 17-19. Click here for more info!)
We’ve made numerous software improvements over the course of the year. And we’ve introduced new Acer tablet hardware that everyone is raving about. But we’re not stopping there. Watch for even more new software features and hardware options coming soon.
We also took GrandCare on the road. We attended tradeshows, conferences and other events all over the country. We even made some trips to the United Kingdom.
Even better, we’re very pleased to be working with some exciting new customers this year, including high end independent living facilities, PACE programs, and home healthcare providers. Turns out, when you have a quality product that works, people want it! We couldn’t be happier and we’re looking to grow even more in 2017.
As 2016 draws to a close we’re also reflecting on the fact that we’ve had a good year because of you. When we made product improvements, it’s because you asked for them. When we’ve expanded into new areas, it’s because you welcomed us. And when we’ve won awards, it’s because you nominated us. Thank you. Thank you for a terrific year.
Here’s to a successful and prosperous 2017!
00info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/grandcare-logo-300x138.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2016-12-30 14:06:282023-03-09 15:24:05Happy New Year!
Today, GrandCare welcomes guest blogger and personal trainer Jason Lewis. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us, Lewis.
As we age, our sleeping patterns naturally change. Some people may require more sleep and others may begin to rise earlier. While these changes are often considered normal, not getting enough quality sleep can be a serious detriment to brain and body functions, especially for senior citizens.
The Importance of Sleep
The typical person performs best with seven to nine hours of sleep. Though some people can only dream of catching that many Z’s, getting a good night’s rest is important, to our overall health and to our well-being. When we sleep well, it helps:
Improve concentration and memory
Control emotions
Handle changes
Decrease moodiness
Repair cell damage
Refresh the immune system
Prevent disease, such as high blood pressure or stroke
Mental health disorders, such as depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
High intake of caffeine
Lack of exercise during the day
Lack of exposure to sunlight
Exposure to electronics before bedtime
Lack of nighttime routine
Taking long daytime naps
Use of alcohol, nicotine, or other substances
Differing family sleep schedules (i.e. children go to bed earlier and also wake earlier than you)
Physical pain
Outside distractions, such as a snoring spouse or loud traffic
Other health issues
Signs of Poor Sleep in Seniors
Lack of proper sleep has a greater effect on the elderly. When your older loved ones aren’t getting enough sleep, it can result in these five common signs or symptoms:
Depression: Lack of sleep can be both a cause and side effect of depression. Poor sleep causes the brain to function at a subpar level, which can lead to symptoms of depression. Additionally, seniors with depression can have trouble sleeping as a side effect (even if they’ve never had trouble sleeping before). If your loved one is experiencing feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, isolation, or helplessness, they may be experiencing depression. If so, it’s important to reach out to a medical or mental health professional for help.
Memory issues or confusion: While elderly individuals do tend to experience some level of memory loss naturally, it could actually be a sign of poor sleep. Sleep impacts the way our brains function, and can cause confusion or poor recall skills.
Daytime fatigue: One of the more obvious, and more overlooked, symptoms of poor sleep is daytime fatigue or lethargy. A person who gets seven to nine hours of sleep will not experience as much daytime fatigue as those who wake regularly throughout the night. Sleepiness or taking more naps may be signs of poor sleep, as are waking up tired or waking up in pain.
Falls during the day or night: Our brain helps control our balance and stability. When it’s not functioning at an optimal level, the risk of falls and tumbles increases. This is especially concerning for seniors who are already at high risk for a fall and may experience more extensive injuries if a fall occurs.
Worsening of heart diseases, diabetes, or weight problems: Sleep impacts our overall well-being. If we sleep well, our bodies are able to repair any damage that may have occurred during the day. Without proper sleep, our brains and bodies function inefficiently and are therefore more prone to diseases such as heart attack or obesity.
If an older loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to a medical professional about potential remedies. You might also want to help your senior loved one start getting more exercise. Not only will it help them sleep, it will also help alleviate depression symptoms. And if you can find an option that offers community, such as a water aerobics class, even better. Overall, any improvement in sleep will help sustain the health and well-being of your loved one.
Jason Lewis is the primary caregiver for his mother, as well as a professional personal trainer, specializing in work with seniors. His work involves the physical and mental health of the seniors he serves. He can be reached at jason@strongwell.org.
GrandCare Systems is a caregiving tool that can help identify sleep issues in seniors. More than that, it’s designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for an individual in a home or residential community, regardless of geographic location.
The heart of GrandCare is a large touchscreen in the residence, which provides the individual with social communications, instructions, reminders and medication prompts. Wireless activity sensors monitor daily activities without impeding a resident’s independence or privacy. Non-intrusive bed sensors can help you know whether the resident is getting the valuable sleep he needs. You can also see graphs that help you see important information, such as whether sleep patterns have changed, if the resident has stayed in bed in bed longer than usual, or whether he has had a restless or restful night.
Managing the 5 Most Common Health Conditions for Seniors
Today, GrandCare welcomes guest blogger Kim Sharbatz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Dental Solutions. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us, Kim.
Whether you’re facing the struggles of old age yourself, or you’re concerned for your aged parents or grandparents, you’re likely keenly aware of the stress, confusion, and even fear that can accompany growing older. Not only are health problems more common, but conditions that used to be minor can now take on a much more serious role.
At the same time, no parent wants to feel that they’re a burden on their grown children, and no child wants to take away their parent’s dignity or independence. It’s important to reach a balance. Advancements in senior technology like the GrandCare system help accomplish that balance by providing the means to keep tabs on conditions, so problems can be detected and addressed early, by providing easy, one-touch access to family or professional caregivers, and providing other more passive assurances, like medication reminders and alerts to notify caregivers of abnormal events.
A recent article in Everyday Health listed many of the common health conditions seniors face today. And GrandCare can help seniors manage all the most common concerns. Here’s how.
1. Arthritis
Dealing with the chronic pain and discomfort that comes with arthritis can be very difficult. In many cases, little can be done to treat this condition beyond pain medication and education on how to maneuver to avoid flare ups.
GrandCare can help in two important ways:
2. Heart disease
Heart disease has been reported to affect 37% of men and 26% of women over the age of 65. It can range in severity, and unfortunately it doesn’t always offer warning signs before progressing.
A GrandCare system can help those who suffer with heart disease in several ways:
3. Cancer
Second only to heart disease as a cause of death in the United States, cancer affects 28% of men and 21% of women over the age of 65. Although treating cancer requires far more than monitoring and managing the disease, there are aspects of treatment that can be made easier and more effective through home health monitoring.
The GrandCare system offers the following features to aid in this difficult health issue:
4. Respiratory diseases
Asthma, emphysema, and COPD, and other respiratory diseases, plague thousands of seniors every day. Whether their individual treatment requires the continual use of oxygen and medications, or adjustments in behavior to manage the disease, it can be difficult to manage.
The GrandCare system offers the following key features to help seniors facing respiratory illness:
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease and other memory decline conditions can be frightening and debilitating, as they can slowly rob an individual of their memories and their ability to function independently.
The GrandCare system offers tools for caregivers that can help preserve an senior’s independence and dignity for as long as possible:
Combined with adequate medical, dental, and psychological health care, and professional nursing care as needed, GrandCare can provide both practical help in managing senior health, and valuable peace of mind for seniors and their caregivers.
Happy New Year!
2016 has been an incredible year for GrandCare. First, we put out a call for new affiliate partners. Boy, did we get a response! More than forty of you have traveled to West Bend to be trained in the foundations of digital health. Our GrandCare family is expanding rapidly! (The next training session is January 17-19. Click here for more info!)
We’ve made numerous software improvements over the course of the year. And we’ve introduced new Acer tablet hardware that everyone is raving about. But we’re not stopping there. Watch for even more new software features and hardware options coming soon.
We also took GrandCare on the road. We attended tradeshows, conferences and other events all over the country. We even made some trips to the United Kingdom.
Even better, we’re very pleased to be working with some exciting new customers this year, including high end independent living facilities, PACE programs, and home healthcare providers. Turns out, when you have a quality product that works, people want it! We couldn’t be happier and we’re looking to grow even more in 2017.
As 2016 draws to a close we’re also reflecting on the fact that we’ve had a good year because of you. When we made product improvements, it’s because you asked for them. When we’ve expanded into new areas, it’s because you welcomed us. And when we’ve won awards, it’s because you nominated us. Thank you. Thank you for a terrific year.
Here’s to a successful and prosperous 2017!
5 Signs a Senior Isn’t Getting Quality Sleep
Today, GrandCare welcomes guest blogger and personal trainer Jason Lewis. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us, Lewis.
As we age, our sleeping patterns naturally change. Some people may require more sleep and others may begin to rise earlier. While these changes are often considered normal, not getting enough quality sleep can be a serious detriment to brain and body functions, especially for senior citizens.
The Importance of Sleep
The typical person performs best with seven to nine hours of sleep. Though some people can only dream of catching that many Z’s, getting a good night’s rest is important, to our overall health and to our well-being. When we sleep well, it helps:
There are numerous possible interruptions to a good night’s sleep, such as:
Signs of Poor Sleep in Seniors
Lack of proper sleep has a greater effect on the elderly. When your older loved ones aren’t getting enough sleep, it can result in these five common signs or symptoms:
If an older loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to a medical professional about potential remedies. You might also want to help your senior loved one start getting more exercise. Not only will it help them sleep, it will also help alleviate depression symptoms. And if you can find an option that offers community, such as a water aerobics class, even better. Overall, any improvement in sleep will help sustain the health and well-being of your loved one.
Jason Lewis is the primary caregiver for his mother, as well as a professional personal trainer, specializing in work with seniors. His work involves the physical and mental health of the seniors he serves. He can be reached at jason@strongwell.org.
GrandCare Systems is a caregiving tool that can help identify sleep issues in seniors. More than that, it’s designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for an individual in a home or residential community, regardless of geographic location.
The heart of GrandCare is a large touchscreen in the residence, which provides the individual with social communications, instructions, reminders and medication prompts. Wireless activity sensors monitor daily activities without impeding a resident’s independence or privacy. Non-intrusive bed sensors can help you know whether the resident is getting the valuable sleep he needs. You can also see graphs that help you see important information, such as whether sleep patterns have changed, if the resident has stayed in bed in bed longer than usual, or whether he has had a restless or restful night.
Image via Pixabay by Unsplash