Tag Archive for: aging technology alliance

Companies working in aging and technology band together

www.bizjournals.com
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal by Diana Samuels, Reporterh

If there is anyone who has a broad understanding of how companies are using technology to help improve the lives of seniors, it is Peter Radsliff.

Radsliff leads a nonprofit consortium of nearly 70 businesses that work in fields related to aging and technology, called the Aging Technology Alliance or AgeTek. I spoke with him about trends in the industry for a story in this week’s Business Journal.

The organization was founded in 2009, in an organic fashion. Radsliff said it all started when he spoke at a conference on technology and aging, and the CEO of GrandCare Systems [Charlie Hillman], a company in the space, was in the audience. The company got in touch with Radsliff and asked him to speak as part of a webinar [What is now the Aging and Technology Webinar]. But the day of the webinar, Radsliff finished his talk early. Left without a specific subject to speak about, he started reflecting on how hard business was during the recession.

“I just threw it out there, I said, ‘Would anybody be interested in doing any co-marketing, or sharing of best practices, or any other kind of back-scratching activity to help each other as small business people?'” he said. “The outpouring from them was phenomenal. It kind of set me aback actually.” Of course, then he also ended up running the organization.

“I realized, ‘Great, I now have another full-time job on top of my day job,” said Radsliff jokingly, who is also CEO of Los Altos-based Presto. The company makes a system that automatically prints out emails for seniors or others who don’t have a computers.

Radsliff said AgeTek aims to “look after the business needs of its members.” “We each try to help each other to do what the company needs,” he said. “That can be anywhere from facilitated access to other companies, it could just be just making relationships and finding synergies.”

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

AgeTek To Hold Annual Meeting At CES

San Francisco – The Aging Technology Alliance (AgeTek), a trade group of companies that develop and/or market technology-based products designed for the senior market, will hold its annual member meeting during International CES in Las Vegas next month.

The meeting will be held at the the AgeTek Pavilion in North Hall booth 3209 on Thursday, January 12th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. CES is being held in Las Vegas January 10 to 13.

The Alliance also announced that it would open its event to non-members who wish to learn more about the benefits of joining the consortium. 

AgeTek represents companies and organizations dedicated to promoting the awareness, benefits and value of products and services for our aging society. Members’ products and services allow seniors to remain independent and age in place at home, as well as empower many seniors to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle while securing their mobility. AgeTek is focused on bringing greater awareness to their industry, products, and to its select group of companies that are working together (and independently) to develop better-designed, less expensive and better-tested products for the senior consumer.

The AgeTek Pavilion will feature members such as Dr. M Media, GrandCare Systems *N-3209*, Presto Services, and VitalLink. Additional AgeTek members on the CES floor (North Hall) are ClearSounds (N-3106), GreatCall (N-2814), Independa (N-3235), LifeStation (N-2912) and Telikin (N-3008).

CES Attendees can enter to win a ClearSounds ClearBlue Bluetooth Mini-Speaker & TV/Audio Listening System, valued at $250, by getting an AgeTek CES Passport stamped at each of the AgeTek member booths at CES. AgeTek CES Passports are available inside the Silvers Summit program, and at the AgeTek Pavilion.

Non-members are welcome to attend both the annual meeting as well as the meet ‘n greet. Advance registration is not required, but for those interested in booking an appointment with an AgeTek board member in advance, please contact Laura Mitchell, Board Member, Aging Technology Alliance at: 262-338-6147.

New AgeTek members who register at CES will receive a 10% discount on their 2012 membership fee. To learn more about becoming a member of the Alliance, visit the AgeTek Pavilion or go to the Join page of the AgeTek website at www.agetek.org. 

GrandCare announces return to exhibit at CES 2012

West Bend, WI, 2011 – GrandCare Systems announced today that they will exhibit at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 9-13th in Las Vegas, NV.

GrandCare will showcase their innovative socialization, activity & telehealth remote monitoring technology at the Las Vegas Convention Center, LVCC North Hall Booth 3209.  GrandCare Systems will be located in the AgeTek Pavilion, of which they are a co-founder, between the Silvers Summit and Digital Health Summit. This will be GrandCare’s 4th consecutive appearance at CES.

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. CES is held every January at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  CES 2012 will give even more focus on Digital Health and Aging in Place Technologies with the return of the Digital Health Pavilion & Summit, The Silvers Summit and the AgeTek (Aging Technology Alliance) Pavilion.

“The Digital Health Summit is privileged to bring together experts from the health, science and technology worlds, to share their wisdom and insight on the ideas that will be vital to health care’s future,” said Jill Gilbert, co-producer, Digital Health Summit. “Technology advancements are changing the way Americans manage their own health and wellness needs, from raising children to managing care for aging parents. In its fourth year, the Digital Health Summit will push the boundaries and encourage everyone – from manufacturers to providers – to think bigger, explore new topics, and challenge one another as we move forward in this fast-growing market.”

Digital Home Health industry pioneer, GrandCare Systems, will provide full demonstrations of their cutting-edge Socialization, Telehealth and Activity Monitoring Smart Home System. Attendees of CES will have the chance to video chat with the Wisconsin-based GrandCare corporate office, play fun games, complete wellness assessments, take vitals and understand why GrandCare is leading the way in the Aging/Technology Industry.  GrandCare will be one of several innovative aging/technology companies under the AgeTek Pavilion umbrella.  Additional AgeTek Exhibitors include: Presto, Dr. Marion, Vital Link, Independa, ClearSounds, Great Call, LifeStation, and Telikin.

“The need for tech-based solutions designed to serve our aging society is exploding,” said Peter Radsliff, co-founder and chairman of the Aging Technology Alliance, “AgeTek was formed to promote the awareness, benefits and value of our members’ products and services in this expanding category.”

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/

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.

For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com

Press Contact:
Laura Mitchell
VP of Marketing
GrandCare Systems LLC
262-338-6147

Online Press Kit Available: https://www.grandcare.com/presskit/docs/PressKit.pdf

Join Us for Tomorrow’s Webinar!

Thursday, December 15th at 2pm ET – 1pm CT

Where The Heart Is: Using Technology To Remain At Home

With Beth Paterson

Seniors have always wanted to remain at home. Now with the housing market where it is, seniors are staying at home even longer. We’ll discuss how using technology adds benefits to remaining at home. More Information

In this webinar you will learn:

  •     How housing conditions are impacting seniors remaining in their homes longer.
  •     The benefits of using technology to remain at home.
  •     How using technology can be cost effective and expand the time one can remain at home vs moving to senior housing.

Sponsored By AgeTek

http://www.agetek.org/

To promote the awareness, benefits and value of products and services for our aging society while directly benefiting our members by evolving into the world’s leading aging-focused technology consortium.

12/15/11 Webinar “Where The Heart Is: Using Technology To Remain At Home”

Thursday, December 15th
2pm ET – 1pm CT

Download/Playback

Seniors have always wanted to remain at home. Now with the housing market where it is, seniors are staying at home even longer. We’ll discuss how using technology adds benefits to remaining at home.

In this webinar you will learn:

  • How housing conditions are impacting seniors remaining in their homes longer.
  • The benefits of using technology to remain at home.
  • How using technology can be cost effective and expand the time one can remain at home vs moving to senior housing.

Our Speaker: Beth Paterson

Beth Paterson is the Executive Vice President of Reverse Mortgages SIDAC. She is an expert on reverse mortgages, with responsibilities including educating, marketing, and originating loans, as well as training and supervising loan officers. She has testified before the Minnesota legislature, met with the Assistant Attorney General, and provided amendments to legislation on reverse mortgages. She is the author of several books and articles on the topic, and has appeared as an expert speaker on radio and television shows. She also hosts, directs and produces a metro cable TV show called Savvy Seniors… Talking with Experts About Senior Resources. She attended PurdueUniversity, but found that the most valuable part of her education came from real-life experiences, particularly in the wake of a car accident in 1995. She decided to use her experiences to help others facing life’s challenges.

Sponsored By AgeTek

http://www.agetek.org/

To promote the awareness, benefits and value of products and services for our aging society while directly benefiting our members by evolving into the world’s leading aging-focused technology consortium.

GrandCare VP Marketing, Laura Mitchell, speaks 3 times in San Francisco this week

It’s an exciting week in San Francisco!  The American Society on Aging & What’s Next Boomer Summit are happening Wednesday – Saturday!

GrandCare’s own Laura Mitchell will be speaking 3 times during the week.  Below are some notable agenda items this week in San Francisco. Hope to see you there!!

ADD THESE GREAT EVENTS THIS WEEK  TO YOUR ITINERARY:

Wednesday

7pm – all are invited to meet with the AgeTek Board & Aging/Technology Enthusiasts at Johnny Foley’s in San Francisco: http://www.johnnyfoleys.com/
This no-host event, will be a great chance to network, mingle and sit back and enjoy the environment in this lively Irish Pub.
Thursday  
Thursday April 28, 2011: 1:00 PM  – 2:00 PM

Presenter(s)

TH495
Workshop – New Look at Technology for Older Persons

Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel
Room: Yosemite A (Ballroom Level)
CEU Credits: 1

Revolutionary new technology and its applications have changed the way older persons are cared for as they age at home, enabling them to remain independent and live more fulfilling lives, providing higher quality of care, assisting caretakers, facilitating the communication, and equalizing availability of quality care to all persons.

Thursday April 28, 2011: 2:30 PM  – 3:30 PM

Presenter(s)

Felice Eckhouse
Gene Loeb-Aronin, PhD
Laura Mitchell
TH583
Workshop : Back Home To Stay

Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel
Room: Franciscan D (Ballroom Level)
CEU Credits: 1
The sudden requirement for an elderly parent, spouse or relative with special mental or physical needs to stay at home can be traumatic. This workshop will examine these situations through scenarios and videos, and will explore requirements for staying at home. Solutions will be planned for each need.
Full ASA (AGING IN AMERICA CONFERENCE) Schedule: http://www.asaging.org/aia11/index.cfm

Friday 

..The Eighth Annual
What’s Next Boomer Business Summit
Sponsored by AARP and AARP Services, Inc.
Friday, April 29, 2011
8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel
San Francisco, California

7:00 am | REGISTRATION OPEN | COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS
8:00 - 6:30 pm | TABLE TOP EXHIBITS OPEN | BOOKSTORE OPEN
4:30 - 5:30 pm | BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Maximizing the Online World
Build an interactive tool box for marketing your business! 
From email to Google, Twitter, and what's in all worlds online to social media platforms, 
unlock the potential for your company. Our experts show you how to harness the power.
Moderator: Laura Mitchell, Vice President, Marketing, GrandCare Systems
Panelists:
- Joe Cannella, Senior Account Manager, Google
- Nataki Clarke, Vice President, Marketing, AARP
- Stephen Chen, Founder, NewRetirement.com

Hope you can join us!!!!!
FULL What's Next Boomer Summit Schedule: http://www.boomersummit.com/agenda.html

CEDIA Recognizes Home Health Technology (and showcases GrandCare) as the Next HUGE opp for DEALERS!!!!

http://www.cediacrosspoint.com/content/emerging-trends-2q-update-video

VERY well done CEDIA video that showcases new opportunities for dealers.  Home Health Technology is one of the recommended avenues for dealers to explore. In the video, CEDIA shows two pictures of the GrandCare System in use 😉

Fantastic! Well Done Cedia team!  Home Health is a great opportunity for this industry!  The Aging Technology Alliance: AgeTek (www.agetek.org) is perfect for new dealers that are signing up for this industry.

ALSO – – We are hosting a free webinar event tomorrow (Thursday April 7th, 2p EDT) called “10 steps to Home Health Technology”. It will be a webinar open to anyone and everyone. 2pm Eastern Time. We will meet here: http://grandcaresystems.webex.com
Two of your AgeTek Board Members will be speaking on this session: AgeTek Chairman – Peter Radsliff and AgeTek Director – Laura Mitchell.If you cannot attend, but would like to receive tomorrow’s recording, just shoot an email to info(at)grandcare.com
Moderator: Laura Mitchell, GrandCare SystemsPanelists:Peter Radsliff, Presto & AgeTek ChairTom Morgan, Worthington DistributionBob Levy, Electronic Creations

Smart Money Magazine asks us – can aging be stylish?

Yesterday, Smart Money Magazine posted an article: Can a Medic Alert System be Stylish. They discussed grab bars, Personal Emergency Response Systems, Wearable Pendants, etc. GMU’s Andy Carle, Age in Place Tech Watch’s Laurie Orlov and AgeTek’s own Peter Radsliff all weighed in on solutions and adoption of technology to “age in place”.

I think this is a very important topic to address. People don’t want to use systems/devices that make them “feel” geriatric, old or disabled. That is the reason that the systems need to be viewed more like we view every day conveniences..think of railings on stairs, alarm clocks, smart phones, online calendar/reminders, appointment books, etc. All of these we use every day because they are helpful and they assist EVERYONE. Systems that enable a person to stay independent and at home should be viewed in a similar fashion. Nobody wants to have the scarlet pendant of aging, instead they want to be able to self-enable with gadgets, technologies, design, etc. If we design systems like GrandCare Systems that has many features that ANYBODY would enjoy, it is much more likely that a person will accept. I use GrandCare Systems in my home every day and my two toddler boys do too. We use it for different reasons, using the same alerts, cognitive assists, reminders, family calendar, etc that the system provides. Everyone benefits from convenience, safety, communication, etc. (Think of the iPad). I would NEVER be able to keep track of my schedule without my iPhone reminding me of EVERYTHING. Why should it be so different with non tech-savvy individuals? Check out my entry on why I believe Gen X-ers should also be adopting these technologies as early adopters: http://wp.me/pyOLA-dx Thanks for the article – short answer: YES, aging can and SHOULD be stylish and graceful! Laura Mitchell GrandCare Systems www.grandcare.com

What are your thoughts???

Read their article here: Can a Medic Alert System Be Stylish? – SmartMoney.com http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/technology/now-in-vogue-grandpas-gadgets-1299712884177/#ixzz1GJrWJD00

GrandCare Slated to exhibit at EHX – The CEPRO EVENT

GrandCare Systems, one of the leaders in the Aging/Technology Industry, will be exhibiting and presenting several panels at this year’s EHX: The CEPRO EVENT in Orlando. Available since 2006, GrandCare is a “Smart” Activity & Tele-Wellness Monitoring & Interactive Touch System designed to keep seniors independent. Caregivers virtually access information & send pictures, messages, etc to the senior’s interactive TouchScreen. 2-Way Web Chat available. Located in the New Opportunities/Home Health Tech Pavilion: Booth(s): 629L, GrandCare’s Booth Will Feature: The GrandCare Interactive HomeBase, GrandCare Interactive Trillium & GrandCare Como Model.

What: GrandCare Exhibiting at EHX
When: March 17-19th, 2011
Where: Orlando Convention Center
BOOTH 629L

More info:

Schedule At A Glance:

Wednesday March 16th 8p No-Host Bar AgeTek Meet&Greet. Peabody Hotel Main Lobby Bar. Questions? Email info@agetek.org

Thursday March 17th *SHOW FLOOR OPEN 10a – 6pm
New Opportunities Stage
CE005: How to Get Your Foot in the Door with Home Health Tech Thursday 11:00 AM-2:00 PM EST
Moderator: Laura Mitchell, VP Marketing, GrandCare Systems
Panelists:
Tom Morgan, Worthington Distribution
Peter Radsliff, Presto

CE018: When Grandpa Wants the Cadillac: GrandCare Systems Thursday 1:00pm-2:00pm EST
New Opportunities Stage
Host: Laura Mitchell, VP Marketing, GrandCare Systems
Panelists:
Jill Kerr, Home Controls
Tom Morgan, Worthington Distribution

GrandCare Informational Session Thursday 4:00pm-4:30pm EST
CE PRO Stage

Friday March 18th Show Floor Open 9am – 5p EST
CE010: Home Health Technology Solutions for Custom Integrators Friday 12:00PM -1:00P EST
New Opportunities Stage
Moderator:
Peter Radsliff, Chairman of AgeTek & CEO Presto
Panelists:
Laura Mitchell, VP Marketing, GrandCare Systems
Ken Kerr, President, Home Controls
LogicMark

Saturday March 19th Show Floor Open 10am – 3p