Technology-Powered HomeCare: How to Get Started

Homecare companies are actively shopping for tech. Why? Staffing issues! They simply don’t have enough caregivers and they are not alone. This is a problem the entire aging service industry is experiencing with the expanding aging population and limited caregiving pool. Good technology can help you expand your services without adding more staff. And it can open up new revenue streams like virtual visits, concierge-style service ordering, telehealth monitoring and remote activity monitoring.

How do you integrate these new services into your existing business model? How do you price it? What does it cost? When should you do it?

Join GrandCare Systems for a free webinar to find out and differentiate your organization from the rest, plus improve your top and bottom lines.

Register for the webinar.

Thursday, November 14th

10am PDT
11am MDT
12pm CDT
1pm EDT

Laura Mitchell Interviewed on CEDIA Podcast

Didn’t catch Laura’s big interview on the CEDIA podcast? You’re in luck. Here’s the whole thing for your listening pleasure!

You Gotta Let me Know… Should I Stay or Should I Go Now…

At GrandCare we love receiving stories like this one, about how technology like GrandCare can be used to help seniors stay independent, and in their own homes. We thought you’d love it too.

My dad and I are very close. He is still active and tons of fun, but he’s getting older (aren’t we all) and we can’t help but worry about him. After mom passed away, we have been trying even harder to make sure he is healthy and isn’t too lonely. We have dad over for dinner a few times a week and he has church on Sundays. But, I know he misses mom so much and feels isolated.

We tried to talk dad into looking around at all of the amazing senior housing communities in our area, but he is adamant. He doesn’t want to leave the home that he and my mom lived in for the past 40 years. We didn’t know what to do. How could we feel good about him being alone, while empowering him and making sure he wasn’t too disconnected. After some online research, we selected GrandCare. A touchscreen system to empower dad with reminders, while feeling connected to family. And, we were able to set up just a few motion sensors that could tell us if something seemed wrong.

Before GrandCare, I could tell that dad just wasn’t engaged. My mom had been the glue that kept all of us connected. But now he is way more connected to us with GrandCare’s video calling and picture sharing features. It’s also kept him in the loop with news updates, weather, sports and anything else that he might be interested in. I even noticed he loves watching old music videos, re-run episodes from youtube and card games on GrandCare.

I used to worry all the time. Is he ok? Is he up and about today? How would I know if he wasn’t?  And he hated when I would call to ask these things. But now with GrandCare I don’t have to. I already know that things are just fine. His GrandCare’s motion sensor will reach out and tell me if he didn’t access the kitchen in the morning or if he doesn’t return from his morning walk. Now when I call we can talk about more interesting things like last night’s baseball game. 

As if that isn’t enough, GrandCare helps dad remember when to take all of his medications. It also reminds him to take his blood pressure every day like he’s supposed to. He loves it because he would prefer it’s GrandCare (and not me) that reminds him. And I love it because GrandCare allows me to not worry.

For my dad, GrandCare is perfect. And, it will also let me know when we might need to make changes (e.g. adding more sensors or bring in added caregiving services).

For HIPAA and security purposes, this scenario is based upon stories and lifestyles of the 50+ population. Names and identifying details have been changed.

Laura at CEDIA

Laura Mitchell Presents On Technology-Infused Aging at CEDIA

In the second week of September, GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell will be flying to Denver for the 2019 CEDIA Expo. Laura has been asked to share her expertise on smart technologies and aging in a presentation titled: “Smart Seniors Seminar: How Technologies are keeping Seniors Safer, Smarter and out of Assisted living.”

According to the CEDIA website, CEDIA is the international trade association and central touchpoint for 3,700 member companies that represent every facet of the ever-evolving technology market. The CEDIA expo is held annually in various geographic locations. The five day event features networking, training and product launches. It brings together more than 20,000 home tech pros and over 500 exhibitors.

GrandCare is no stranger to CEDIA. GrandCare is a CEDIA member, has spoken on the opportunity of technologists in the aging/healthcare market and has even founded and organized CEDIA’s original Aging and Technology pavilions and educational tracks, including extensive education on how integrators and distributors could become involved in this critical marketplace.

Advancements in technology are allowing seniors to stay in their home longer. With emergency response systems, medication management, telehealth and remote monitoring, it is now safer and more convenient to live at home more than ever.

“We take such good care of our homes, and as we age why shouldn’t our homes help to take care of us?” This quote from GrandCare’s CEO, Laura Mitchell, helps reinforce the mission of CEDIA.

Smart Seniors Seminar: 

How Technologies are keeping seniors safer, smarter and out of assisted living

Room: 110

Wednesday, September 11

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

CEU Credits: 1.5

View: Show schedule

GrandCare CEO to Speak at Connected Health Summit

Over 60 percent of American seniors (65 and older) use the internet on a daily basis. Around four out of ten seniors say they have a smartphone. Acknowledging this, home service providers, home builders, in-home care agencies and retailers have now started to think of ways to incorporate technology into the places where seniors are living their golden years. Gone are the days of technophobes and the resistance to enabling technologies for aging. Whether it’s Alexa, Fitbit activity tracking or Sleep Number’s tech-enabled mattresses, technology is changing the way we age.  

“The adoption of technology is becoming a critical component of caregiving from family caregivers, to professional care organizations,” says GrandCare CEO, Laura Mitchell.  “The number of individuals needing care is surpassing those able to provide it, providing a huge gap in care. Caregiving organizations will use technology to amplify their caregivers, reduce costly windshield time and offer more proactive and predictive care.” 

The incentives are remarkable and it’s not only fiscal. Using GrandCare, individuals can also improve their mental state-of-mind by staying connected to their families through video chatting, messaging and be reminded of medications, daily tasks and upcoming baseball games. All of which are ways to keep their minds and their bodies active. 

This is the focus of the Connected Health Summit presented by Park Associates in San Diego August 27-29. Mitchell and other industry experts will present on topics ranging from technology in professional care organizations, social implications and empowering patients.

Stay Safe During These Hot Times in the City

Well, here we are. After a winter that seemed not to end (at least here in Wisconsin), we are finally seeing some warm temperatures. And Mother Nature couldn’t just do a general warm day.  No, she had to go from frigid winter temperatures right into the 80s and even 90s. Love or hate the super hot weather, it’s a critical time to stay safe by keeping hydrated, staying indoors, and keeping the house cool. This is especially important for those with humidity-sensitive conditions such as COPD.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 1300 people die from heat related causes every year. The majority of those victims are young children and the elderly. 

Just some of the ways you can stay safe and cool this summer

Here are some quick tips and tricks to BEAT THE HEAT:

  1. Stay hydrated: This is one of the easiest things to do. If given the option, drink water. You might also opt for sports drinks, such as Gatorade, to help replenish lost nutrients and minerals in the body. Make sure to read the label. Some sports drinks are loaded with sugar.
  2. Avoid overly greasy or hot and heavy foods: This includes hot pasta dishes. Eat cold sandwiches, salads, and lighter pasta salads. These will add less heat to your body.
  3. Stay away from tight or dark clothing: Loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored articles allow your body some breathing room.
  4. Stay inside and avoid strenuous exercise: This is especially important during the hottest parts of the day. If you do need to be outside, take frequent water and rest breaks.
  5. Be aware of heat stroke and exhaustion symptoms: These include confusion, headaches, profuse sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and fatigue.
  6. Use a technology such as GrandCare to keep yourself or a loved one safer, healthier and more comfortable: The GrandCare touchscreen can let you and family know when the outdoor humidity or temperature is too high. It can remind you when it’s time to drink water. It can indicate if the air conditioner is not working and if the in-home temperature reaches a potentially dangerous level. And, GrandCare can help you to continuously monitor vitals and send an alert if a red flag reading needs to be addressed.

This warm weather won’t last forever – at least not in the Badger State!  But in these dog days of summer, please remember to take care of yourselves and your loved ones! 

If you’d like to learn more about GrandCare Systems, contact us or request a demo.

 

GrandCare Featured on Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline

GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell was recently a guest on Into Tomorrow, a radio show that has been featuring innovative technology for 23 years. Laura talked with host Dave Graveline about some of GrandCare’s key features, including touchscreen-based remote monitoring, video chat, and socialization for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Listen to the boradcast:

high technology home care

Technology for In-Home Care: Show Me the Money!

Last week, we received a call from a guy who runs an in-home care franchise on the East Coast. He’s done a lot of innovative things with technology and now he was interested in GrandCare as an enabling technology for his company. We did a demo of the system and he was impressed. His following question was one we hear time and time again. “What’s the ROI?”

It seems obvious when you add enabling technologies that things become better, cheaper, faster and more efficient. Think about how far we’ve come with technology in agriculture, shopping and transportation. It only makes sense that adding monitoring technologies and video chat check-in technologies to home care would provide additional revenue options as well as a lower cost care alternative. But, where’s the proof? It got us to thinking.

We all know the statistics about the rising aging population, caregiver burnout and staff turnover–especially caregiving staff for home care providers. Companies are looking to technology to help. The question is not if home care technology can help. It’s how to implement it, how to price it, and how to make money with it. What is the ROI? We have thought a lot about this, and we have the answers you are looking for.

On Thursday, August 8th, we’re presenting an interactive webinar that will show you exactly that! How do you implement video chat, remote activity and telehealth technology into your current caregiving offerings? How do you price it? When will you see that Return On Investment? And how can you add new revenue models into your organization?

We think you’ll be impressed.

Mark your calendars and join us for this free 60 min webinar, sponsored by GrandCare Systems.

Register for Webinar

Thursday August 8th
9am PDT
10am MDT
11am CDT
12pm EDT

GrandCare featured on The Morning Blend

GrandCare is Making Headlines

GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell featured on the Chamber Local Business SpotlightGrandCare has been making the news!

1. Today, we were featured on The Morning Blend on TMJ4.

2. Last week, GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell was interviewed for the Chamber Local Business Spotlight feature on 101.3 FM.

3. GrandCare was singled out as having the “most experience and most robust platform” in an article in Home Health Care News by senior care expert, Bill Thomas. You may recognize him as the founder of the Eden Alternative, ChangeAging keynote speaker, TED Talk speaker (multiple times) and the founder of the Green House Model. His methods were described in detail in the book Being Mortal.

4. GrandCare’s CEO Laura Mitchell was profiled in a blog by industry analyst Laurie Orlov, Founder of Aging In Place Technology Watch.

Laura Mitchell

GrandCare Systems Selects New Chief Executive Officer, Executive Team

Remote patient monitoring and virtual caregiving technology pioneer GrandCare Systems announced today the appointment of GrandCare founding member and board director Laura Mitchell as GrandCare’s new Chief Executive Officer. Mitchell replaces the current CEO, Charles Hillman, who started the cutting-edge software company in 2005. Hillman, an engineer and MIT graduate, will continue to lead the GrandCare vision as Founder and a trusted Advisor. Mitchell has also recruited a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to expand GrandCare’s flexible and affordable “point-of-care” platform options for various settings.

“I am honored to have been elected as GrandCare’s next CEO. This is an industry that I have been immersed in and passionate about for the past 15 years,” said Mitchell. “We are seeing rapid growth in the adoption of caregiving technologies, in both the home caregiving and senior housing industries. It is a privilege for me to be leading GrandCare during this period of opportunity and growth.”

Mitchell brings 15 years of connected health, technology and aging expertise, as well as her core competencies in strategic business development, marketing and lead generation, to this executive role at GrandCare. She was a founding team member of GrandCare in 2005, where she served as the VP of Business Development and Chief Marketing Officer for over a decade. In 2015, she founded Laura Mitchell Consulting (LMC), a strategic business development, marketing and consulting agency with a niche in healthcare, aging and technology. Mitchell will continue to lead her strike team of six at LMC, in addition to her new role as CEO of GrandCare Systems.

“Laura brings new life and rejuvenation to GrandCare during these critical years when the industry is actively seeking remote monitoring technologies,” said GrandCare Founder Charlie Hillman. “Her unparalleled expertise and business acumen will help take GrandCare to the next level.”

The use of technology in the aging industry is rapidly increasing. According to Aging & Technology Industry Analyst and Expert, Laurie Orlov, “Technology to help care for an aging population matters now more than ever — the $29.8 billion market is poised to match the aging demographic of 48 million seniors aged 65+ and to help fill the gap of individuals available to care for them.”

“More seniors want to remain independent, but might need a little support and connection,” said GrandCare’s Chief Operating Officer Gaytha Traynor. “GrandCare can help provide that support and connection, and the cost is less than the cost of one week in an average care community”.

Mitchell was a founder of the aging and technology industry’s first aging and technology weekly industry webinars, a co-founder of the Aging & Technology Alliance (AgeTek) and was an early educator for EHX (Electronic House Expo) and CEDIA. She has been featured in Forbes magazine, awarded Dealerscope Magazine’s “Top 40 under 40,”​ the 2014 Connected World Women of M2M, and the 2011 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit “Flame Award” for Innovation and Leadership. She has spoken at industry events throughout the United States, and has authored global white papers and articles on the topics of longevity, technology, remote patient monitoring and marketing to the aging population. Mitchell serves on the Historic West Bend Theatre Board of Directors, and serves as a Director of Boomers & Marketing for USPR.

ABOUT GRANDCARE

GrandCare is 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 residence, 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. Optional telehealth & activity sensors wirelessly report information and can send alerts if something is amiss. No computer skills are needed for the resident. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com, call 262-­338-6147, or contact info@grandcare.com.