“The GrandCare technology is result driven; a proactive versus reactive care solution” – Stacey Pierce, Director of LIVE@HOME Technologies

Testimonial from Stacey Pierce, Director of LIVE@HOME Technologies:

LIVE@HOME Technologies understands the new frontier of in-home care through technology, using both low and high tech technology to meet the needs of our clients. We use everything from telephone check ins, Personal Emergency Response Units and Remote Telehealth & Activity of Daily Living Monitoring Systems such as GrandCare Systems. The GrandCare technology is result driven; a “proactive versus reactive care solution”. As one example, Mr. C has had many heart surgeries, Congestive Heart Failure, and Diabetes. We have worked with his doctors to set wellness parameters and goals to prevent a future “event”. This type of awareness and proactive care can mitigate hospital stays and detect potential symptoms before it becomes life-threatening. Using GrandCare technology, we have kept Mr. C in his home for two years now, saving him and his family, roughly $112,000.

In home care can be very expensive and many simply cannot afford or do not need 24 hours of hands-on care. We utilize technology, such as GrandCare Systems, to work in conjunction with professional caregiving staff. Live@Home Technologies has placed GrandCare technology in many homes, not only as a cost- effective way to stay at home, but also to assess if and when additional care might be warranted.

Live@Home Technologies has also designed programs to save money for Long Term Care Facilities as well as their residents. The average cost of Independent Living at The Oaks, a CCRC in South Carolina, is $2,000.00 per month and goes up to $3,5000.00 for Assisted Living. Live@Home Technologies implemented a new “Monitoring Independent Area of Living” program at the Oaks by using GrandCare motion, door and bed sensor technology to monitor several residents at once. This concept allows the Oaks to reduce unnecessary footsteps and save money by making fewer caregivers more efficient and effective. Each resident has seen a cost savings of $1200.00 per month, that’s almost $15,000.00 per year.

Through the setting of individual rules, we monitor activities such as wandering, being out of bed, leaving apartments in middle of night, not accessing medications, or too much motion in bathroom; all of which have been directly related to UTIs, medications not being taken properly and increased Sundowners. Using the GrandCare technology, we assess each individual’s ADLs, allowing us to be proactive and respond to any notable changes in daily life. Although, technology does not replace care giving and human touch, it can be a helpful tool to gain information on a possible event, save health care costs and give an added peace of mind, while staying at home.

We eagerly anticipate the many exciting ways we can take advantage of the advances in technology to provide top-notch in-home care that meets the demands of our caregiving staff, our residents and their family members.

-Stacey Pierce
Director of LIVE@HOME Technologies

 

About LIVE@HOME Technologies

The Methodist Oaks has more than 50 years of experience of mission and ministry with seniors giving care and services at our Faith Based Continuing Care Retirement Community (www.theoakssc.com). In the last few years, recognizing the need to expand our care giving to a greater community, the Board of The Oaks made the decision to offer our expertise in the integration of Care and Technology throughout South Carolina and portions of North Carolina and Georgia.

The Oaks created LIVE@HOME Technologies to offer the latest in rapidly changing technological advances to assist people in staying at home. LIVE@HOME Technologies constantly researches and test various technologies which are available and utilizes that which best suits the client’s situation. LIVE@HOME Technologies learned early on that the most critical step of helping people stay at home rather than moving to an Assisted Living or other living option is the evaluation of the needs and desires of the potential client and the family.

LifeWise Renovations

Just ran across this great blog recommendation on GrandCare that we thought we would share.

Two Technologies For Aging In Place

By Katy Dodd

See the whole post by LifeWise Renovations

A team of my constituents and I were recently asked to look at the emerging technologies in aging in place and assess their feasibility for long-term use in the home.  There were two technologies that caught our eye: GrandCare Systems and the Care-O-Bot.

GrandCare Systems is a company based out of Wisconsin that has integrated all the different telehealth technologies into one system. The system connects to any internet connection and communicates with “wireless” sensors throughout the residence. Caregivers can log into the GrandCare website to send communications to a loved one, view activity and tele-wellness sensor information (blood pressure, heart, weight) and customize the automatic caregiver alerts. You can also use GrandCare for socialization, entertainment and communication purposes. Family can send pictures, emails, calendar appointments, voice messages, family videos and more right to the GrandCare System.  You can also play brain bender games, watch the news, listen to the weather, etc. See video.

As with most things, this technology is not for everyone. It does come with a higher price tag than most other systems on the market.  GrandCare does, however, come with more options than any other we have come across thus far.  It is also user friendly and does not require computer experience to operate.

The other technology that caught our eye is the Care-O-Bot.  I think it will be a few more years before we see service robots in the home, but they do offer a solution to the growing problem of not having enough workers to meet the need as well helping to alleviate some of the many issues faced by long term caregivers. The Care-O-Bot can help with dish washing, the lifting of objects, walking, getting up from a chair or bed, the fetching of items, and other basic tasks. See video.  

In a perfect world, I would like to see the two technologies come together and integrate themselves into one easy to use, affordable system (I will speak more on this later).  The reason I mention affordable is because both are relatively high priced. The likelihood that people will be able to afford these luxuries outright is relatively slim.  My suggestion would be to set up a leasing office where customers could apply a monthly payment (similar to a car leasing structure).  If you ask me, this beats paying the monthly cost of assisted living.  People go from owning a home outright to essentially having a mortgage again. This would be much less than a mortgage payment and would allow for one to maintain their independence longer.  It will be interesting to see how this market changes and grows over time, given it is still in its infancy.

February 2nd Webinar: Overview of AARP’s Innovation@50+ program


Thursday, February 2nd

2p ET – 1p CT
grandcaresystems.webex.com
Call in: 1-408-600-3600

With guest speaker Jeff Makowka

In late 2010, AARP created a new group focused on Thought Leadership with the mission of exploring and establishing new ways in which AARP can achieve its social mission: “to improve the quality of life for all as they age”. The Innovation@50+ program is the group’s flagship campaign to engage both the investment and entrepreneurial communities to stimulate innovation to meet the needs and wants of people over 50.

Jeff Makowka, AARP, Senior Strategic Advisor, Thought Leadership

Jeff has over a decade of experience in strategic analysis, management consulting and market research. For over 5 years, he has been focused on the wants and needs of the 50+ both domestically and internationally. As Senior Strategic Advisor in AARP’s newly formed Thought Leadership group, he supports AARP’s Innovation@50+ Program which aims to spark innovation and entrepreneurial activity across public and private sectors. Anchored by AARP’s social mission – to enhance the quality of life for all as we age – the program enlists the expertise of visionary aging/technology thinkers, and builds the business case for all sectors to collaborate on meeting the needs and wants of people over 50.

Prior to this role, Jeff held the position of Senior Manager, Global Member Value in AARP’s Membership Development group. Before his work at AARP, Jeff worked in the Monetizing Knowledge Practice at Edgewater Strategy Services as a Project Manager and Senior Business Analyst. He has also held positions as a Research Associate and Web Business Analyst with Jupiter Media Metrix.

Mr. Makowka earned a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and English Literature (double major) and received his Masters of Arts (Licentiate) in Philosophy (Magna Cum Laude).

Join Us Tomorrow for Our First Webinar of 2012!

Adapting to Healthcare Reform: Technologies to Put Your Agency in the Driver’s Seat as Your World Changes

With guest speaker Tim Rowan

Thursday,January 19th 2pm ET – 1pm CT
grandcaresystems.webex.com
Call in: 1-408-600-3600 Pin: 660 339 211#

When hospitals begin to select post-acute partners they can trust to lower their readmission rates, they will look for home care agencies that monitor patients between visits, improve medication compliance, reduce falls, communicate with family caregivers and submit regular readmission reports based on reliable data. Based on his 18 years in home care technology, consultant and writer Tim Rowan will explain the systems you will need to deploy to thrive in the very different reimbursement world that starts later this year.

  • Avoidable Hospital Readmissions will be THE topic of 2012, more important than winning referrals.
  • Hospitals will look to teams of post-acute care providers to form partnerships in the effort to curb readmissions. They will not rely on home health care providers alone.
  • Home health care providers invited to participate on these post-acute teams will be the ones with proven rehospitalization track records and with the latest remote patient monitoring technologies.

Thursday, January 19th Webinar – Adapting to Healthcare Reform:

Technologies to Put Your Agency in the Driver’s Seat as Your World Changes

Thursday,January 19th 2pm ET – 1pm CT
grandcaresystems.webex.com
Download Here

With guest speaker Tim Rowan

When hospitals begin to select post-acute partners they can trust to lower their readmission rates, they will look for home care agencies that monitor patients between visits, improve medication compliance, reduce falls, communicate with family caregivers and submit regular readmission reports based on reliable data. Based on his 18 years in home care technology, consultant and writer Tim Rowan will explain the systems you will need to deploy to thrive in the very different reimbursement world that starts later this year.

  • Avoidable Hospital Readmissions will be THE topic of 2012, more important than winning referrals.
  • Hospitals will look to teams of post-acute care providers to form partnerships in the effort to curb readmissions. They will not rely on home health care providers alone.
  • Home health care providers invited to participate on these post-acute teams will be the ones with proven rehospitalization track records and with the latest remote patient monitoring technologies.

Tim Rowan, Editor, Home Care Technology Report

Tim Rowan has been the Editor of home care’s premier technology news and analysis newsletter, now known as Home Care Technology Report, since 1998. In this position, Tim has had the opportunity to keep an eye on the leading edge of healthcare technology innovation and develop insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the companies that provide software and other technologies to home care providers.
Tim has extensive experience in network design, installation and administrator training since 1986.  He was the Information Technology Director for Physicians Home Health Care in Denver and Colorado Springs from 1993 – 1998, before becoming home care’s most trusted technology reporter. As a consultant, Tim has also helped numerous home care agencies wade through the software selection process.
Tim holds a Masters in Education from Loyola University in Chicago. Most importantly, when he is not writing or speaking at conferences, he spends his time playing with his five grandchildren.

Sponsored By AgeTek

GrandCare among “The Top CE Products for Americans Age 50+ Honored at First Annual Sterling Award Ceremony at Silvers Summit During CES”

Award Winners Represent the Best In Class When It Comes to Technology and the Lifestyles of Boomers and Beyond

PR Newswire

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2012  /PRNewswire/ — In its first annual Sterling Award competition, sponsored by AARP, Silvers Summit organizers today unveiled the five category winners, Silvers Choice winner and Innovator Award recipient during its 4th annual Silvers Summit conference held here at Consumer Electronics Show.

Award winners were chosen by the expert panel of judges in the following five categories:

  • Health & Wellness – Company: GrandCare Systems, Product: GC HomeBase
  • Education/Continued Learning – Company: LiveMocha, Product: LiveMocha
  • Entertainment – Company: My Gait LLC, Product: My Gait Senior Computer
  • Relationships/Family Caregiving – Company: No Tie LLC, Product: AutoVerbal
  • Cause-Worthy Product/Service – Company: Great Grabz, Product: Unique Touch Grab Bars

The top five winning entries were posted to the Silvers Summit website and Facebook page. The competition relied on social media to invite the public to choose their favorite among the five to select the “Silvers Choice” award.  The people’s choice vote winner was GC Homebase by GrandCare Systems.

In addition, Silvers Summit producers chose Martin Cooper, chairman of Dyna, LLC as the first Innovator Award recipient. Known as the “father of the portable cellular phone” which he created in the 1970s while at Motorola, Cooper is a renowned innovator in spectrum management.  He is widely regarded as one of the leading visionaries and inventors of our time and has spent most of the past five decades creating some of the world’s most important business and technological concepts and offerings. He is also an activist who seeks to shape public policy in the U.S. and globally having testified before various committees and serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee that advises the President of the United States on spectrum policy.

“We were thrilled with the response to our first annual Sterling Awards call for entries and we thank the participation of our expert panel of judges,” said Sherri Snelling, executive producer, Silvers Summit. “All of our Sterling Award winners – the companies and our Innovator Award recipient Martin Cooper – offer unique ways to enrich the lives of the 100 million boomers and silvers in our society today.”

“These award winners, and all of our excellent award entrants, understand the importance of a market that has huge growth potential over the next 20+ years,” continued Snelling.  “We hope these annual Sterling Awards become a showcase for ways that technology can help us stay healthy, happy, and connected to family and friends, living in our homes longer, and making a difference in the world as we age.”

“By sponsoring the Sterling Awards, AARP recognizes and encourages the important role that innovation and technology play in the lives of people 50 and older,” said Jody Holtzman, senior vice president of Thought Leadership at AARP.  “We applaud the winners, the judges, Silvers Summit organizers and especially the people who chose their favorite among the top winners.  Innovation around technology is empowering, and it allows the 50+ population to live life ‘re-imagined,’ which is what we at AARP work toward every day.”

For more information about the Sterling Award individual winners, click here.

Click here for more information about the Sterling Awards judges.

The 4th Annual Silvers Summit at the 2012 International CES is where the thought leaders on aging and technology come together.  The one-day conference addresses trends, innovations and strategies in the areas of social media, gaming, driving safety, mobile technology, universal design, smart homes and communities, and customer service addressing the largest and most influential demographic in our society today – Americans age 50+.

Follow Silvers Summit on Twitter for news and updates: twitter.com/silverssummit.

About Silvers Summit:

The Silvers Summit at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is where the thought leaders on an aging society and technology come together.  The conference and exhibit assembles companies, distributors, journalists, research firms, and think tanks, to demonstrate the products and services that will help consumers age 50+ stay engaged, empowered and help enhance their lives. The Silvers Summit and Exhibition is presented by Living in Digital Times, producer of the following summits and exhibitions at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show: Digital Health, Fitness Tech Summit, HigherEd Tech Summit, Kids@Play Summit, MommyTech Summit, Mobile Apps Showdown, and Last Gadget Standing.  For more information about The Silvers Summit, visit: http://silverssummit.com/.

DISCLAIMER:

AARP does not endorse or promote any of the Sterling Award winners.

The Sterling Award is produced by Silvers Summit, a property of Living in Digital Times, Inc. Silvers Summit and Living in Digital Times do not endorse or promote any of the Sterling Award winners.

Silvers Summit and Sterling Award are service marks of Living In Digital Times, Inc.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/544470#ixzz1jACLTMWe

GrandCare Systems selected as Sterling Award Winner in Health & Wellness Category

Winners Announced at 4th Annual Silvers Summit at the 2012 International CES;
Represent best in class products and technologies for Americans Age 50+

LAS VEGAS, January 10, 2012 – GrandCare Systems has been selected as a winner in the Health and Wellness category in the first annual Sterling Awards competition, as announced at the Silvers Summit Conference at CES today. Sponsored by AARP, the Sterling Awards identify the very best in technology innovation and product excellence for Americans age 50+.

GrandCare Systems, GC HomeBase was selected as winner in Health & Wellness category. Other Sterling Award winners include:
• Education/Continued Learning – Company: LiveMocha, Product: LiveMocha
• Entertainment – Company: My Gait LLC, Product: My Gait Senior Computer
• Relationships/Family Caregiving – Company: No Tie LLC, Product: AutoVerbal
• Cause-Worthy Product/Service – Company: Great Grabz, Product: Unique Touch Grab Bars

The purpose of the inaugural Sterling Awards is to identify the peerless products (design, functionality, purpose) that enhance, empower and exemplify the lifestyles of the Boomer and Silvers audience. Winning criteria included products or services that solve a problem/issue and have relevancy for the lifestyles for those age 50+:

• Limited mobility and agility
• Limitations with eyesight or hearing
• Cognitive thinking skills/brain health
• Communication, education and engagement

In addition, products must enhance one of the following for those age 50+:
• Health and wellness aiding longevity
• Intergenerational interaction and learning (includes family caregiving)
• Safety (in the home, car, community, etc.)
• Social connectivity or networks (help in eliminating isolation)
• Engages user in social or environmental cause

Award winners were chosen by the expert panel of judges from: Aging in Place Technology Watch, AARP, Carnegie Mellon University, Care2, Compelling Telling, Continua Health Alliance, Mary Furlong & Associates, National Alliance for Caregiving, NPR Labs, PBS Kids Interactive, SmartSilvers Alliance, Vibrant Nation.

“We congratulate GrandCare Systems and all of our Sterling Award winners who offer unique ways to enrich the lives of the 100 million boomers and silvers in our society today,” said Sherri Snelling, co-producer, Silvers Summit. “We hope the Sterling Awards become an annual showcase that illustrates the new and improved ways that technology can help us stay healthy, happy, connected to family and friends, living in our homes longer, and making a difference in the world as we age.”

Visit the Silvers Summit Web site for more information about the Sterling Award.

The 4th Annual Silvers Summit at the 2012 International CES is where the thought leaders on aging and technology come together. The one-day conference addresses trends, innovations and strategies in the areas of social media, gaming, driving safety, mobile technology, universal design, smart homes and communities, and customer service addressing the largest and most influential demographic in our society today – Americans age 50+.

Follow Silvers Summit on Twitter for news and updates: twitter.com/silverssummit.

About GrandCare Systems:

GrandCare offers a senior-friendly, Internet enabled, private HomeBase touchcomputer system aimed at maintaining independence, controlling chronic conditions, increasing compliance, strengthening family connections and reducing hospital readmissions. GrandCare combines the technologies of smart home, activity monitoring, wellness monitoring, and social connectivity. The wellness aspect includes wireless physiological readings (weight, blood pressure, oximeter, glucometer), self assessment, and medication compliance with an associated medication dispenser, medication instructions, photos and prompts, specified medication rule sets, alerts, and congregate analytics. The social aspect includes one button Skype, pictures, emails, wellness videos, reminders, and other standard social media content aimed at reducing isolation, educating our loved ones, and influencing them to better self-manage their own health.

About Silvers Summit:

The Silvers Summit at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is where the thought leaders on an aging society and technology come together. The conference and exhibit assembles companies, distributors, journalists, research firms, and think tanks, to demonstrate the products and services that will help consumers age 50+ stay engaged, empowered and help enhance their lives. The Silvers Summit and Exhibition is presented by Living in Digital Times, producer of the following summits and exhibitions at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show: Digital Health, Fitness Tech Summit, HigherEd Tech Summit, Kids@Play Summit, MommyTech Summit, Mobile Apps Showdown, and Last Gadget Standing. For more information about The Silvers Summit, visit: http://silverssummit.com/.

DISCLAIMER: Silvers Summit (a property of Living in Digital Times, Inc.) does not endorse or promote any of the Sterling Award winners. AARP, the Sterling Award sponsor, does not endorse or promote any of the Sterling Award winners.

Silvers Summit and Sterling Award are service marks of Living In Digital Times, Inc.

12/01/11 Webinar “Health Care: Payment & Delivery System Reforms”

Date: Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Time: 2pm ET (1pm CT / 12p MT / 11am PT)

Download/Playback

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will mark a paradigm shift in the way health care is delivered in this country and how providers will be compensated.

In this webinar, you will learn about:

  • Impacts to home health and long term care providers with respect to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
  • Other new initiatives, demonstrations and pilot programs that are designed to shift payment for services from volume to value-based criteria.
  • The heavy emphasis on clinical integration across the continuum of patient care settings.

Our Speaker: Dan Santos, Williams Mullen

Dan Santos is a regulatory and corporate attorney at the law firm Williams Mullen, and is a member of the Firm’s Long Term Care Industry Service Group and its Health Care Practice Group.  Mr. Santos has extensive experience representing health care clients on a multi- state basis and at the federal level. He regularly counsels health care providers in transactional and regulatory matters, including hospitals, health systems, skilled nursing facilities, behavioral health companies, physician groups, rehabilitation clinics, and home health agencies, among others. He frequently interacts with federal and state health regulators on his clients’ behalf regarding compliance issues, such as investigations,enforcement actions and reimbursement issues.

Our Sponsor: Williams Mullen

Williams Mullen is a full service legal and governmental affairs firm of over 300 attorneys and professionals with offices in Washington D.C., Virginia and North Carolina.

 
 
Image Credits: http://www.instbusapp.org/education/webinars/creating_incremental_expense_budget_under_stark.html

Join us for Tomorrow’s Webinar

Preparing for Future Technology- Enabled Care Models

Date: Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Time: 2pm EDT (1pm CDT / 12p MDT / 11am PDT)
Location: http://grandcaresystems.webex.com
Dial In: 1-408-600-3600   Pin: 666 610 551#

This presentation will outline innovative technology-enabled care models and describe key enabling technologies that CAST encountered in its recent Scenario Planning effort.

1. See how the field of aging services is rapidly evolving under health reform pressures, among other things.

2. Learn about emerging long-term and post-acute care models that CAST encountered in its Scenario Planning exercise.

3. Learn about key enabling technologies for the emerging future models.

Our Sponsor: Presto Services

Presto is a combination of the Presto Printing Mailbox and Presto Mail service. It allows you to use the convenience of email to communicate with loved ones who don’t use a computer or the Internet.
Presto Services is offering an exciting cross-promotion for AgeTek members: participating companies may receive ≈200,000 free ad impressions to promote their products to caregivers and family members.

11/17/11 Webinar “Preparing for Future Technology- Enabled Care Models”

Watch/Download Here

Health care reform is rapidly accelerating changes in aging services that were already underway driven by consumer demands, capital and payment mechanisms, workforce, technology, quality, transparency and accountability. These changes are driving innovation and the emergence of a number of new care/ business models.

This presentation will outline innovative technology-enabled care models and describe key enabling technologies that CAST encountered in its recent Scenario Planning effort.

1. See how the field of aging services is rapidly evolving under health reform pressures, among other things.

2. Learn about emerging long-term and post-acute care models that CAST encountered in its Scenario Planning exercise.

3. Learn about key enabling technologies for the emerging future models.

Our Presenter: Paul Burnstein, Associate Director, Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST)

Paul Burnstein joined the LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) as Associate Director in 2011. Prior to CAST, Paul was the executive director of Sinai Family Home Services, a start-up, non- profit, in-home care agency in Portland, OR.
Paul helps execute CAST’s agenda in leading and expanding a national network of technology companies, providers and research institutions focused on technology solutions for an aging society. He coordinates state-level technology initiatives that aim to identify barriers and opportunities to facilitate the use of technology in an aging society, in partnership with LeadingAge State Affiliates.

Our Sponsor: Presto Services

Presto is a combination of the Presto Printing Mailbox and Presto Mail service. It allows you to use the convenience of email to communicate with loved ones who don’t use a computer or the Internet.
Presto Services is offering an exciting cross-promotion for AgeTek members: participating companies may receive ≈200,000 free ad impressions to promote their products to caregivers and family members.

Date: Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Time: 2pm EDT (1pm CDT / 12p MDT / 11am PDT)
Location: http://grandcaresystems.webex.com
Dial In: 1-408-600-3600   Pin: 666 610 551#