In the Spotlight: Ed Kmetz from Pure Sight & Sound, Inc.

Pure Sight & Sound provides design, installation, and consulting services for residential and commercial technology systems in Pennsylvania. Ed Kmetz, president of Pure Sight & Sound, has been a long time visionary, as one of GrandCare’s early implementation & integration experts in the senior and disability market.

We had the opportunity last week to sit down with Ed and really find out what drew him to GrandCare and explore his passion for helping others, particularly in the aging and disability space.

Q: Thanks for talking with us, Ed. Can you start by telling us a little about your background? How did you become involved in technology for seniors?
A: My background is all in technology. After graduating with a materials engineering degree from Drexel in Philadelphia, I immediately went into international sales and engineering, studying in Japan and working globally in Asia, Canada, and Mexico for 15 years.

About 13 years ago, I started my own company doing audio/video and automation in homes and businesses. I hadn’t thought of technology for the aging/disabled market specifically until I learned about GrandCare. I thought it was such a great idea and it fit right in with an initiative I started years ago called “The Grandma Guarantee.” This means Grandma will be able to operate everything Pure Sight & Sound provides, and with little to no training.

Q: Why did you choose GrandCare?
A: In part, because GrandCare started developing their software technology in 2005, clearly making them the pioneer. When I started working with GrandCare, they were the only company that combined the various protocol-driven home and activity sensors, telehealth devices and touch-based socialization platform into one complete package. As great as it was then, they’ve come a long way since. And the support has always been fantastic.

Q: Who is your target audience for selling GrandCare?
A: We sell our GrandCare Systems to two main groups of people. Our first target is the clients of home care agencies, and our second target is hospice (end of life care) facilities.

Q: How do you approach marketing GrandCare?
A: I have a wonderful international business network that I’ve built through the years in this industry. So of course, I leverage that. But it was also important to make closer, personal relationships with local homecare agencies and hospices.

Q: What’s one misconception about aging that you’d like to change?
A: That aging folks are intimidated by technology. Some are, of course, but for the most part, if we can get them touching the interface, we can get them comfortable in a very short time. We bought my mom a computer for her 75th birthday, and had to upgrade her hardware for her 80th!

Q: If you could tell everyone in the world one thing about GrandCare, what would it be?
A: We’ve had better support from GrandCare than probably every other vendor we work with. (And we work with a LOT of vendors!)

Q: What are you most passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about making sure that my customers are comfortable with, understand, and can actually use everything we supply.

Pure Sight & Sound provides design, installation, and consulting services in Pennsylvania, for home theater systems, smart home technology, audio, video, automation, and a variety of other types of residential and commercial technology systems, including GrandCare technology, for assisting seniors and the disabled population. For more information about Pure Sight & Sound, visit www.puresightandsound.com, call 570-992-2992, or email Ed at ekmetz@puresightandsound.com.

For more information about GrandCare, and our growing dealer/reseller/aging service provider network, visit www.grandcare.com or email us at sales@grandcare.com. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Upcoming GrandCare Affiliate Training:
July 25-27 at CEDIA HQ in Indianapolis, IN
August 17-19 at GrandCare HQ in West Bend, WI

GrandCare Has 500 Reasons To Celebrate

Indy drivers race for 500 miles. Peter, Paul and Mary were 500 miles from home. And now GrandCare has over 500 Likes on Facebook. We thank you for each and every one of them. But like the Proclaimers–who famously sang in the 80s that they would walk 500 miles and then walk 500 more–we’re not done yet. We’re going to go out and get another 500 Likes. How? By doing even more of what we do best on Facebook.

At GrandCare we’ve always had a strong focus on community and the building up of the entire aging/technology industry. It’s why we led the famous aging/tech industry weekly Thursday webinars and conference calls from 2008-2011 and why we co-founded the Aging Technology Alliance (AgeTek) in 2010. It’s why we started the no-host meet-and-greets/mix-and-mingles back in 2008 at CES to encourage networking and movement in this space.

That’s the spirit that guides us on Facebook. Not only do we use the platform to inform customers and other industry insiders about what we’re doing at GrandCare, but we also use it to share information about what’s going on in the wider industry. We’re proud of our long history of community focus. And we think it’s why we’ve recently reached that 500 like milestone.

Five hundred may not sound like an astronomical number. We’re not Youtube (80 million Likes) or Samsung Mobile (40 million). But then again we’re not Youtube or Samsung. We’re a big fish in a growing but still small pond. We are a pioneer. A grandfather to this industry. This aging/technology community is getting bigger every day. We are proud that we have had a role in the building of its foundation. In that context, 500 likes in a largely B2B industry is something we’re proud of. We thank you for each and every one of them.

On to 1,000!

Will you join our movement to inspire and connect? GrandCare Contest

The GrandCare movement is changing the world…

GrandCare is leading a movement to change the world as we age.  View the movement video here: GrandCare’s Facebook page and just hit share on Facebook.  Two “sharers” will be selected as our Inspirational Movement Ambassadors and be highlighted by GrandCare AND will win a FREE GrandCare System on May 30th.

Here’s what the movement is about. Will you join us?

…Transforming and connecting

The simple touchscreen system, has big, easy to read buttons. It makes the connection with loved ones as easy as the push of a button.

…Empowering and soothing

Vitals and activities are recorded automatically. Peace of mind for the people far away who worry. Peace of mind of the senior, who knows loved ones can check in easily, and are alerted automatically if something isn’t right.

…Entertaining and informative

A wealth of information, connection, and entertainment easily available. Just push the buttons for news and weather. Games. Old-time radio. Videos. Family photos. The Internet.

…Friendly guidance

Messaging. Calendar and event reminders. Daily To-do lists. Medication reminders.

…Pure joy

Isn’t it time to inspire with GrandCare?

Will you join us to inspire and make your loved one’s life better? You have the power! Enter our Facebook contest.

How?

Visit GrandCare’s Facebook page to view our video. Then share it with your Facebook friends. Everyone who shares will be entered into our contest. Two winners will be selected to win a GrandCare System on May 30th. ‪

Inspire, motivate, influence someone special today! Join the GrandCare movement.

GrandCare Announces Certified Dealer Training in April

System2.pngGrandCare Systems announced today the re-launch of their platinum distribution channel by certifying authorized custom integrators, dealers, installers and other organizations. GrandCare will be offering a 2-day intensive training session on market opportunities, aging and health conditions, the competitive landscape, as well as complementary products and services. The training will also cover sales and marketing strategies and a deep dive into the GrandCare technology.  Participants will learn to successfully customize, implement and install GrandCare, while offering additional value-added services to help individuals remain healthy and happy at home.

Launched in 2006, GrandCare Systems is the pioneer in connected living and connected health in the private home. GrandCare is a comprehensive, fully tested and rugged system that combines social interaction with activity sensors and telehealth devices. Family members and other caregivers can monitor activity patterns, assess health readings, and send personalized messages and reminders to the GrandCare touchscreen platform in the private home.

If you or someone you know would be a good fit for the GrandCare distribution direct to consumer channel, we would like to hear from you.

What?
GrandCare Dealer Training

Who?
Anyone that would like to resell GrandCare technology and services

Where?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

When?
April 12th – 14th (Training begins at 1pm on the 12th and ends at 1pm on the 14th)

Early Bird Special: $1500 (register before March 15th)

Regular Training Rate: $2500

Additional rewards for previously authorized GrandCare Dealers

Details will be provided upon registration

[REGISTER HERE]

GrandCare Showcased at Innovative LeadingAge MN Conference

GrandCare, the industry leader in comprehensive eldercare technology, will be featured at the LeadingAge Minnesota conference in St. Paul tomorrow, February 10. The mission of LeadingAge Minnesota is an important one: ensuring that “older adults in every community live with dignity, meaning, and purpose.” GrandCare will be at the conference in booth 257 to help deliver on that mission.

How? By introducing new and innovative functionality like the Emergency Broadcast Alert System and enhanced community features like event calendars, meal schedule and digital signage. GrandCare founder and CEO Charlie Hillman commented, “GrandCare is delighted to reinforce our partnership with LeadingAge of MN and be on display at this innovative event. Together we are reinventing the care delivery model to be more proactive, predictive and cost-effective.”

To find out more about what GrandCare is up to, visit us on the web at grandcare.com. Ask us about our discounted pricing for senior care providers at sales@grandcare.com today!

GrandCare Systems debuts new website

You may recall that late in 2014, we announced our new brand logo, identity, and new color schematics as GrandCare Systems looked to modernize and give our brand an updated and refreshed look. Expanding on what we started, we are aligning our new brand identity to our completely redefined sales and marketing strategy in the hopes to better target our product solutions to the various customer markets we serve on our newly redesigned website: www.grandCARE.com.

Introducing: Our all new grandCARE program solution strategy featuring Professional Care, Community Based Care, and Family Centered Care programs. While our product and its capabilities haven’t really changed, what is different is the way we are presenting it to each of the individuals and organizations our product is designed to benefit.

“When I first came on board, I started to evaluate our website immediately, because it is the most highly visible sales and marketing tool we have. In most cases, our website presents the first impression we make to our customers. My goal when redesigning the site was to take the new branding and color schemes and build on those ideas by developing very distinct program solution paths for visitors to take based on their specific personal or business needs,” said GrandCare Systems Marketing Analyst, Amy Schwengels.

Who We Help_pg 1Selection Guide
Along with an all new look and feel to the site, the new website includes two new sections to help users decide which program solution is best for them: Who We Help and Selection Guide.

“We wanted to create a more straight-forward approach to how we engage visitors on our website. We feel that by creating the color-coded program solution paths along with useful selection guide tools, we are able to better communicate with our customers and make sure that they are able to find more meaningful content on our site,” added Dan Maynard, GrandCare Systems CEO.

Additional information, questions, or comments regarding the new website can be directed to Amy Schwengels, Marketing Analyst at 262.338.6147, or please visit www.grandCARE.com and drop us a line on our Contact Us page. A media kit and other marketing materials are available on our website.

grandCARE slated to speak & exhibit at Digital Health Summit, CES 2015

For the 8th consecutive year, GrandCare will be showcased at the largest consumer electronics show in the world, CES 2015. grandCARE will be exhibiting in the Digital Health Summit at the Sands Expo, 2nd LEVEL Booth 73240.
2015 International CES Exhibit Hours

Tuesday, January 6: 10 AM-6 PM

Wednesday, January 7: 9 AM-6 PM

Thursday, January 8: 9 AM-6 PM

Friday, January 9: 9 AM-4 PM

grandCARE will be unveiling a new brand mark, the grandCARE better care logo.
grandCARElogo
The new branding reflects grandCARE’s approach to truly person-centered care, care coordination and self empowerment. grandCARE’s better care method insists that in order to achieve better outcomes, the individual needs to be fully engaged. In order to achieve engagement, the experience needs to be intuitive, entertaining and empowering.
Without the better care method, better outcomes is less likely.

grandCARE’s chief marketing officer and co-founder, Laura Mitchell, has been chosen to speak on a panel in the digital health summit.

2015 Digital Health Summit – DAY ONE
Wednesday, January 7
Venetian, Level 2, Bellini 2004
4:30-5:00PM
Smart Homes? No Brilliant, Sensible Ones!
Seniors are the fastest growing demographic in America today. And as our loved ones are getting older, they may not be willing to leave their home. We worry about them. Fortunately, leading tech innovators in the remote passive monitoring space are using connected sensors to simplify everything for the consumer and make independent living a safe, reliable, and thriving life a reality!Come hear directly from these trailblazers addressing a key societal issue and discover what they have in store so that our most independent, energetic seniors can spend more time doing the things they love.
Speakers:
Laura MitchellLaura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems
Kian Saneii, CEO, Independa, Inc.

The Las Vegas Convention Center North Exhibit Hall is open Tuesday January 10th until Friday January 13th. For more information on the CES Show, visit: http://www.cesweb.org/

Leading Age Minnesota describes why they chose GrandCare for their members!

Aging Services Group Offers Solutions on a “Grand” Scale

On November 5, 2014 by Rick Lazzari

As an owner or operator of a senior care community or home care company, have you ever asked yourself any of these questions:

  • What can we do to positively impact hospital readmissions and capture data to demonstrate our positive outcomes?
  • How can we maximize our care team’s efforts?
  • What is my competitive advantage in our market?
  • What options exist for developing new revenue streams within our care model?

As we confront the challenges of Affordable Care Organizations (ACOs) and data management, workforce shortages, and market differentiation, these – and more questions – have probably crossed your mind. There is one common thread that consistently shows up in the solutions to these challenges – technology.

Aging Services Group is excited to announce a new partnership with GrandCare Systems that will change and enhance the way traditional caregiving services are deployed for older adults in the state.

GrandCare Systems utilizes digital health and socialization technology to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for individuals in their home, regardless of location. A large, easy-to-read touchscreen placed into the client’s residence provides medication prompts, family communications, one touch HIPAA compliant video chat, messaging, patient assessments, discharge information, scheduling, care plans and more.

GrandCare Systems is designed to empower and engage the resident, while providing information to improve health and outcomes. A series of optional wireless telehealth sensors can be used to automatically report and graph vital readings, and even notify a staff member if readings are outside of designated thresholds. Click here to see the system in action.

Knute Nelson in Alexandria is using GrandCare Systems and received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services earlier this year to expand use of this system in its service area. See the July 9 article in Advantage for more details.

To learn more about the program features and discounts available through Aging Services Group’s GrandCare program, contact Rick Lazzari atrlazzari@leadingagemn.org or 651.659.1470 or Laura Mitchell atlaura@grandcare.com or 262.338.6147.

Laura Mitchell of GrandCare to be Interview on Reaching For The Gold with Harriet Tramer

Laura Mitchellradioad1

Reaching For The Gold with Harriet Tramer airs on ArtistFirst Radio Network, a Partner with CBS Radio News. The interview with Laura Mitchell will include discussions on how the GrandCare System works, how it can be utilized in nursing homes, and how need for the GrandCare System has expanded. Laura will also highlight success stories from GrandCare and its use. Laura will also talk about her role with GrandCare and how her involvement impacted upon the manner in which you view aging. The interview will continue with conversation about the acceptance of GrandCare by seniors.

Please tune using the provided link to hear this interview.

http://www.artistfirst.com/tramer.htm

Wednesday September 24, 2014 – 8pm Eastern Time

GrandCare Systems Logo

CBSRadioNews2

GrandCare chosen to be showcased by Knute Nelson at MN State Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Tuesday, August 19th, 2014, Alexandria, Minnesota –
Knute Nelson will be located on the “Front Porch” of the Older But Wiser Living exhibit on Friday, August 22, 2014. Knute Nelson was selected to showcase their use of GrandCare technology based on experiences incorporating into their approach to delivering health care.

“We are excited to be working with such an innovative and forward-thinking organization like Knute Nelson,” said GrandCare’s CEO, Dan Maynard. “Home care and long term care agencies across the nation should watch how Knute Nelson so seamlessly integrates the GrandCare technology into their service offerings.”

Knute NelsonKnute Nelson has seen significant results using GrandCare, including increased direct patient care coordination and transitions for patients and their caregivers, reducing hospitalizations by establishing and monitoring vital sign parameters for daily living. By monitoring vital signs, earlier detection of changes in disease process and engagement of patients and their caregivers. Knute Nelson has developed our smart home programming using GrandCare technology with the assistance of several grants (the Blandin Foundation, Home and Community-based Services Performance-based Incentive Payment Program and CS/SD from the MN Department of Human Services).

A day of education and innovation is planned for Friday, August 22 at the Minnesota State Fair, with presentations on the “Front Porch” running hourly from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The presentation schedule is as follows:

10:00 “It Takes a Village!” Overview of Aging Services.
A broad overview of products and services with a focus on technology. This session will provide highlights of other sessions throughout the day.

11:00 “What Can Technology Do For Me?” –Our GrandCare Demo.
This will include a robust demonstration of GrandCare, highlighting features like telemonitoring, patient education, socialization, cognitive stimulation, and remote family caregiving.

12:00 “Who Pays for This?” Acknowledging Innovation in Older Adult Services.
We will demonstrate a variety of ways in which families can fund technology use in their home, with a focus on proposed legislation designed to enhance Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services.

1:00 “What Can Technology Do For Me?” –Our GrandCare Demo.
This will include a robust demonstration of GrandCare, highlighting features like telemonitoring, patient education, socialization, cognitive stimulation, and remote family caregiving.

2:00 “The New Bucket List.” Supporting Adults with Life-Limiting Illness.
This session will discuss the ways in which technology and home based services can support those living with life- limiting illness with focus on family communication, safety, audio content and life review process.

3:00 “I Want To Live At Home” Supporting Seniors at Home.
We will discuss the ways in which technology and services can support those wanting to live safely at home as long as possible, with a focus on vital signs monitoring, chronic disease management, patient education, socialization, cognitive stimulation, and remote family caregiving.

4:00 “How Can I Connect with my Family in California?” Utilizing Technology for Distance Caregiving.
During this session, we will provide an overview of how important remote connectivity is and the value in family communication, then focus on the need for telecommunication industry providers to provide affordable, unbundled telehealth packages for seniors.

5:00 “A Second Brain” Technology Enabling and Prompting Clients with Memory Loss
Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, and Scott Feldstein, Director of Product Management, both of GrandCare Systems will be presenting. Their focus will be on new technologies that support activities of daily living for today’s seniors.

About Knute Nelson
Knute Nelson, a 501c3 non-profit, faith-based corporation, is an innovative leader in senior housing and health care that offers a full family of services to the West Central Minnesota region. For information on Knute Nelson visit www.knutenelson.org or call 320-763-6653.

System Comp 2About GrandCare Systems
GrandCare Systems, founded in 2005, combines digital health assessment, biometric readings, activity of daily living sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications into the most comprehensive and fully featured technology in the private home market. GrandCare is designed for individuals seeking a caregiving solution for an aging loved one or for professional in-home, long term care or clinical caregiving providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147.