Tag Archive for: Care Coordination

How to become a champion of technology

Whether your company provides housing or in-home care, you need tools you can count on. Many organizations feel overwhelmed by the processes of adopting new technologies to help improve care delivery, lower expenses, and raise revenue. Decision makers see the benefits of using a variety of technologies, but the idea of institutional change that impacts work flow can be daunting.

Organizations that focus on innovation shared insight on how to evaluate, implement and measure the success of technology. And to help you in your efforts, they highlighted areas to be cautious.

Choose your partner wisely
Kaitlin Cuffe, strategic initiatives coordinator at Eskaton in Northern California says the vendor and client relationship must be strong. Eskaton, a nonprofit focused on transforming the aging experience, looks for technology partners with similar culture and values.

“Typically we are approached by technology companies,” says Cuffe. “We have implemented a technology pilot proposal asking them to fill out a form eight questions long.” Staff time, resident time, costs associated, and process for uninstalling are uncovered before moving forward in the discussion. “Any time we get a proposal we send it out to the [Eskaton] people who would be interfacing,” explains Cuffe. Staff who are expected to work with the technology can give feedback in the decision making process.

Develop technology champions
“We go into a pilot with buy-in when there is a champion,” says Prentiss. “One to two champions serve as an internal point person.” Cuffe, Eskaton’s champion, is the person accountable to keep the project going. Cuffe’s role in the eight week pilot was to:

  1. Identify participants
  2. Coordinate program launch
  3. Schedule all program components
  4. Communicate to participants, stakeholders, and Lively customer support
  5. Develop and conduct surveys: A ten question baseline survey and 15-question post survey

Managing time and expectations is critical for the champion. While this pilot lasted only eight weeks, there was preplanning and post evaluation. Upon completing the evaluation, the decision will be made if it should be scaled.

Create a culture of technology
In 2013, Emeritus began testing the use of iPads with residents. Ginna Biak, National Director of Innovation and Resident Technology, conducted an eight building pilot where 5-10 iPads were made available for residents to check out. Weekly trainings were offered and Internet cafes and kiosks were deployed. Biak says they needed to “make it part of the culture”.

The iPads were loaded with apps Biak selected for social engagement and entertainment. Two vendors who understand the mission and the industry were selected. LivWell Health built the platform on Sales Force and Sitelligence developed an iPad app for resident and staff use.

“Not a lot of technology companies are understanding the silver tsunami,” says Biak. “It’s encouraging to see the big companies are starting to.” During a recent pilot in Freemont, California, representatives from Apple attended the training. In this pilot, 20 residents were given iPads and a baseline survey. At the end of the pilot, a post survey will be conducted and compared to 20 resident surveys who did not receive the iPads.

Biak says they are “trying to come up with a more cohesive, comprehensive solution for a larger roll out.” It can be tough recruiting champions in a large organization, but according to Biak, changes in technology expectations and the new hire process helped shift the Emeritus culture and lay the foundation for a larger deployment.

Deploy small, then scale
Neil Tantingco, owner of Evergreen Residence, says technology is a key contributor to the 100% occupancy and waiting list. In 2013, he began testing technology in two of the apartments in his Central California assisted living and memory care units. “I didn’t know how it would be accepted by my residents or how difficult it was to set up,” explains Tantingco. “I didn’t want to invest all that money for something that may not be proven.” He put it to a litmus test:

  1. Will my residents use it?
  2. Will the family embrace it and use to the video conferencing to increase social interaction?
  3. How will my staff react to it?

Tantingco now uses GrandCare Systems throughout the community and as remote care monitoring for an in-home care solution. This allows him to serve the waiting list and others living in their own homes.

Tantingco recommends to always do a beta test, create a roll out schedule, and set a reasonable, attainable goal. “Roll it out small and develop a work flow. Make sure it doesn’t disrupt your business process.”

Define success before you start
Before testing, develop a hypothesis. For example:

If seniors use technology to communicate with family via email, video conferencing, or Lively Grams, then they will experience less social isolation, less depression, and their quality of life will improve.

Create a list of quality measurements. Your vendor can help you with the metrics. If not, engage with an academic institute or an industry association such as the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST).

Success is not limited to just the resident experience. Make sure to include measurements of staff time and dollars invested in order to measure ROI.

 

To read full article click here.

Visit www.grandcare.com for more information.

GrandCare Systems Announces Significant Investment in Professional Caregiving Sales Program

GrandCare Systems, a leader in the digital caregiving technology industry, is delighted to announce an increased emphasis and investment on a sales program directed towards professional in-home caregivers, long term care, and healthcare providers.  In order to build and maintain a strong and dynamic sales team, the organization has organized a robust outside sales program including territory directors and an inside sales team.

esther GCSAlthough GrandCare remains available direct to consumer through the GrandCare online store or on Amazon, the company’s focus is on professional caregiving organizations including non-medical homecare providers, home health providers, long-term care organizations, and newly formed accountable care organizations (ACOs).

“Moving away from our previous direct-to-consumer model, the mentality of this new configuration and strategy is to better align our inside and outside sales team to drive strategic growth and, in the end, better serve and support our aging population by arming caregiving experts with the best in innovative technology,” said GrandCare CEO, Daniel Maynard.  “The technology is affordable and has proven revenue success with professional caregivers, enabling them to offer extended caregiving services beyond the traditional hands-on care hours.”

GrandCare is designed to increase profit margins for non-medical and home health providers by allowing for new service models and helping to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions.

“Our home care agency has seen significant results using GrandCare technology, including patient and caregiver satisfaction, reduction of emergent care utilization as well as enhanced care coordination and education for the patient” comments Anne Major, Knute Nelson’s Vice President of Home Care and Hospice. “Our services span 26 counties in West Central Minnesota and GrandCare has allowed us to better connect individuals living in rural areas with health care tools that help to manage their care in their own homes.”

System Comp HR NEWOrganizations like Knute-Nelson also use it as a competitive advantage and a socialization connection resource for families.

“It’s a great way to feel like I’m in touch even though I am across the country from mom,” said a Knute-Nelson customer. Another chimed in “[GrandCare has] the ability to continuously receive current pictures from family and friends, from any computer to my mother’s. The GrandCare system has greatly contributed to my mother’s overall mental health. “

GrandCare Systems starts at just $699 and $49 per month for retail consumers and offers volume discount packages for professional caregiving, long term care, and healthcare organizations.

 

About 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

Technology helps seniors stay independent longer

We all want to remain independent as we age. But living alone can be difficult, if not dangerous, for seniors with declining cognitive abilities, including the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Even common tasks, such as preparing a sandwich, can be a challenge.

kare11There’s good news, however. New technology can help many people with mild cognitive impairments, such as persistent memory loss, stay in their homes a bit longer. Jewish World Review goes into great depth talking about the latest technologies that are helping seniors stay happier and healthier longer.

“There’s a tremendous demand for technological tools to help caregiving, particularly as baby boomers deal with elderly parents who may be living across the country,” says Tracy Zitzelberger, administrative director of the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology. The Portland-based Oregon Health and Science University studies aging and other health issues.

Here is a new technology to help keep a loved one independent and safe:

If Mom lives alone, you want to know whether she’s waking up and going to sleep on time, eating properly, showering and taking medicine. New systems allow adult children to monitor the everyday habits of their ailing parents.

Monitoring services will install wireless sensors in areas of the home that a senior uses most often, including the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. The sensors will track certain kinds of movement, such as when a refrigerator, medicine cabinet or front door opens. During setup, the service will study the senior’s normal pattern of daily activities.

System Comp 2Sensors installed by West Bend, Wis.-based GrandCare Systems (www.grandcare.com) issue a minute-by-minute report to a designated caregiver, who can view the information on a Web page. The sensors will note any changes in normal patterns. For instance, if there’s an unusual amount of movement in the middle of the night, or if the medicine cabinet doesn’t open at the regular times, GrandCare will send an automated message via phone, e-mail or text message to the caregiver.

The cost for a system is about $500 for installation and $100 in monthly fees for a one-bedroom apartment, says Laura Mitchell, vice-president of marketing. GrandCare doesn’t use cameras.

The service’s social component may be just as important to seniors who live alone. A touch-screen computer provides the senior easy access to popular online tools, such as Skype for two-way video chats, family photos on Facebook and family videos on YouTube. If the touch-screen user is a grandfather, for example, “he presses a button that says ‘Suzy’s dance recital’ and watches the video,” Mitchell says.

Michelle Spettel has been using GrandCare to monitor her mother, Esther, who lives alone a half hour away.

“She’s getting older and doesn’t remember things as well,” says Spettel, who lives in West Bend. Spettel goes to a Web page to track her mom’s daily activities.

“I know when she comes home, but it’s not intrusive. I don’t have to call her and say, ‘Mom, did you make it home safe?'” she says.

 

Information from: jewishworldreview.com

To read the full article CLICK HERE

GrandCare Systems Announces Changes to Executive Management Team, expansion to a larger office

WEST BEND, WI

GrandCare Systems, a leader in professional caregiving technology, announced today changes to their executive management team, a staff expansion, and a move into a larger office space.

3c6c370Wisconsin-based GrandCare Systems is on a growth trajectory and is slated to move into the Kreilkamp Building (formerly the Ziegler Building) on 215 N. Main Street in historic downtown West Bend. GrandCare was awarded a grant from the city to help keep the growing technology leader in West Bend. This January the company of 9 years brought on a new Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Maynard, to ramp up and scale the software company. Maynard has a history of entrepreneurship and business growth. In 1997, he started a health care software firm that through acquisition became Connecture Inc. Maynard held the Connecture CEO title until 2012. Charlie Hillman, previous CEO and founder of GrandCare Systems, will continue to drive the vision as Chief Technology Officer.

 

jerry_furnessGrandCare welcomes a new Chief Operating Officer, Jerry Furness. Jerry previously served as Vice President responsible for Operations, Product Development, Emerging Markets, Strategic Solutions, Innovation and Corporate Development at a Milwaukee Health Care IT Firm, Connecture Inc. On the transition to high tech innovators, GrandCare Systems, Furness commented, “I wanted to work with a company that is innovative and growing. GrandCare Systems was attractive to me not only because of the mature technology, but also because of the social message GrandCare spreads”. Dan Maynard, CEO of GrandCare said, “We are rapidly building and we needed to add solid experience to this already outstanding leadership team. Jerry is someone I have worked with for over 15 years and he has continually proven his ability to successfully drive channel partnerships, operating efficiency and revenues”.

 

Laura Mitchell, VP Business Development, GrandCare SystemsOriginal founding member and previous VP of Business Development, Laura Mitchell, has been recently promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. Maynard commented about Mitchell’s promotion, “Laura’s strategic positioning and marketing skill is one of the main reasons that GrandCare has such a strong brand presence and is understandably recognized as a clear leader in the industry.” GrandCare is balancing several large international contracts including Saga, the largest UK in-home care provider. In early 2014, GrandCare entered Canada with in-home care organization Proof of Care, and is working together with a large homecare franchisor in Australia. Multiple new US-based professional care clients have differentiated and secured a healthy return on investment using GrandCare including Lifetime Care at Home in Connecticut, At Home Independent Living in New York and Daybreak Services in South Carolina.

 

gaytha_traynorAfter almost 10 years, co-founder and former Chief Operating Officer, Gaytha Traynor Hillman, has announced her retirement from the organization. “It truly has been a remarkable journey. Charlie and I have started several businesses together, but our social mission for GrandCare really came from our hearts. I feel confident that our new leadership team will significantly grow the organization”. Lastly, Maynard said, “We thank Gaytha for all she has done and accomplished for GrandCare.”

 

 

About GrandCare Systems

System Comp HR NEW

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 caregiving providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147

Digital health is growing rapidly

While there are a number of growing markets in digital health, there are two that seem to be picking up speed with consumers and care providers: aging and wearables. With this growth comes more investor dollars and more companies wanting in.

As one of the most valuable market segments, boomers account for nearly $230 billion in sales for consumer goods and will control 70% of the nation’s disposable income in the next twenty years.   And with the wearables market projected to cross $8 billion by 2018, companies are taking notice.

Gain invaluable insight into the digital health market when a silicon valley VC leads an enlightening discussion with the consumer electronics industry’s authority on market research and the chief marketing officer of the leading caregiving technology company.

Digital health

Moderator:

Anne DeGheest, Founder & Managing Director, Healthtech Capital

Speakers:

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems
Kevin Tillmann, Senior Research Analyst, CEA

Tune into this 25 minute segment

System Comp 2This panel took place at the 2014 Digital Health Summer Summit. The team from GrandCare was there, showcasing the latest and greatest GrandCare System, designed for patient socialization and engagement, enhancing the patient experience, while enabling professional caregivers to turn their “man on man” caregivers into “zone caregivers”, providing better, more efficient, more cost-effective care.  Watch GrandCare’s chief medical officer, Laura Mitchell as she describes the shift in market traction and why our solutions should focus on the outcomes and not on the process.

The system is a vehicle behind a successful care delivery model, while putting the patient firmly in the center and emphasizing continuity and seamless transition throughout the whole care network (family, professional caregivers, healthcare providers, patient) and encouraging patient self care (chronic disease management), socialization with family and friends and virtual professional caregiving through HIPAA compliant video chat, medication prompting and check-in video visits.

GrandCare can better care delivery outcomes for:

– Professional In-home Care providers

– CCRCs without walls (Long Term Care Providers)

– HealthCare Providers (Hospital to Home Transitions)

– Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)

– Hospice/End of Life Care

 

To learn more about GrandCare Systems please visit: www.grandcare.com

To watch a short testimonial video click here.

 


   

GrandCare Systems listed by AARP blogger as a top technology must have

GrandCare is honored to be listed by AARP blogger, Sally Abrahms as one of the top 9 technology must haves.

9 Need-to-Know Technologies for Caregivers

“Can you say the Jetsons? Increasingly, family caregivers are getting a helping hand through high-tech products and services.

Bone up on these trends:

GPS safety technology provides the location of the wearer: devices can be used on the wrist, as a clip-on, or on a pendant. Some cars and smart phones have them – enabling you to speak or touch your desired destination – and see or hear turn-by-turn instructions.

With some devices, the caregiver sets the parameters of where the recipient can be – sometimes referred to as ‘geo-fencing’. If the person goes outside those areas, the caregiver is alerted via phone, text, or email. At any time, the caregiver can log on to a website and track the location of the elder

Personal emergency response systems, known as PERS, also contain GPS technology. It’s the Medic Alert model—if in trouble, the wearer can press a button and be connected with a call center that can dispatch help and notify caregivers. Many PERS devices only work at home, but a few allow the wearer to get help wherever they are—on the golf course, in the car, around the block.

Other safety technology includes wireless sensors around the house (in the bathroom, on the bed, door, or refrigerator, for example) that that let caregivers know if there is activity out of the ordinary i.e. not leaving the bathroom. A fall, perhaps?”

GrandCare, on the market since 2006, is a fully-featured care management platform designed to solve the healthcare crisis and aging boom. 

The GrandCare solution is the most comprehensive system available today, combining 6 technologies into ONE system with extensive remote caregiving capabilities.

Read the whole article HERE