Caregiving Technology - GrandCare Systems

Going above and beyond the traditional PERS

July 27, 2015

If you were around during the 80’s and 90’s, I’m sure you remember that clever catchphrase, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”, and the television commercials from a certain maker of a medical emergency response systems. Fast forward to 2015, and a lot has changed in the way of digital health technology. The advent of smartphones, tablets, watches, fitness wristbands, and other devices are changing our world and just how mobile we can be without losing our connection to everything digital.

Let’s face it, we live in a fast paced world and people crave their technology gadgets, addicted sometimes, and when said gadget goes down for any reason, say, your kid drops it in the toilet, or you leave it in the bathroom at the airport in your rush to make your connecting flight…your digital life is temporarily ‘over’.

But, if you are someone over the age of 65, life tends to slow down a bit. Trading in chasing around kids to soccer practice, and making the early morning client meeting for a more relaxed lifestyle tending to a flower garden at home, enjoying time volunteering for local community causes, or even just unwinding in a favorite recliner while reading a good book. However, this newfound freedom and independence often comes with its own share of dangers of the unknown.

According to a recent article by Today’s Caregiver:

Studies report that 30% of people who are over the age of 65 (about 35 million Americans) fall every year, and that these incidences increase to 50% for those over the age of 80.

It’s been estimated that at least 60% of all falls occur in the home… people with neuromuscular or cognitive diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS and even diabetes fall even more frequently.

Whatever the reasoning, the danger still exists for someone who has taken a fall, especially if they are elderly and alone. For those who are unable to get up from a fall, the amount of time they spend immobile will greatly affect the outcome of their health and rehabilitation. In other words, a fall that results in a serious injury may signify the beginning of declining health that may become an irreversible, downward spiral.

So, how can you ensure your loved one won’t become a tragic victim of this downward spiral from a fall that goes undected? You could opt for a personal emergency response system (PERS), such as the one from the tv advertisements, but those require your loved one to actually push a button. What if your loved one suffers a medical episode which hinders their ability to push this button? This is a gap of the traditional PERS solution, a gap that our technology can help fill.

Introducing the grandCARE system solution which incorporates a series of passive activity and motion sensing devices to better monitor patterns of behavior instead of requiring the user to push a button. If there is no motion, excessive motion, or activity patterns that do not fit the norm, an alert will go out regardless of the individual person’s ability to engage the push button. Download: Gaps of PERS System Flyer

Learn more about how passive activity and motion sensing devices can provide you added peace of mind by visiting our website www.grandCARE.com.

About grandCARE:

GrandCare Systems LLC, founded in 2005, offers the most comprehensive and holistic professional care giving and health coordination tool on the market. grandCARE is a large touch platform which provides health instructions, secure video chat, wireless vital recordings and analytics, medication compliance, activity sensing, and family communications into one intuitive and expandable platform. grandCARE focuses on true individual centered care, enabling better experience, better engagement, and better outcomes. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147.

Media Contact:

Amy Schwengels 262.338.6147 media@grandCARE.com

Note: “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” is a registered trademark of LifeAlert.

How one man’s journey with dementia will change lives.

May 20, 2015

Sandy Halperin

While recently speaking at the National Alzheimer’s Project Act Advisory Council meeting in Washington, D.C., Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Halperin, DDS talked about his life as a dementia patient. The outspoken advocate for the Alzheimer’s Disease Care and Cure cause, openly shared his daily struggles with the symptoms of the disease and its progression since being diagnosed in 2010. During his impassioned speech, Sandy talks about how he often requires the assistance of what he refers to as his “second brains.” Said brains taking the form of note pads, books and documents Sandy has authored over the years, his family memories scrapbook, the grandCARE system technology tool, and his loving wife of over 40 years, Gail.

What struck me most about Sandy’s speech is that save for a few brief moments of a lost train of thought, I wouldn’t have even thought he was a man struggling with the effects of such a disease given his poise and passion for speaking. Having experienced this first-hand, as my own grandmother suffers from late stage dementia, her outward appearance, cognitive, and physical capabilities are marked and noticeably different. She rarely speaks, remains largely confined to her bed in the nursing home where she resides, and her cognitive capabilities are virtually non-existent, as she no longer remembers me as her granddaughter or other close family members whom she has known for years. She is older, at 79 years of age, but her disease progression moved swiftly after receiving her initial diagnosis only a few short years ago. Unfortunately, by that time, she was already too far gone, to the point of requiring extensive care.

The early warning signs were there, the simple daily forgetfulness of “where did I leave my purse?”. To the re-telling of a story we’ve heard for the umpteenth time. In retrospect, red flags should have been going up, starting probably 10 to 15 years ago. As with anyone, getting older often comes with its fair share of “senior moments”, at some point however, those innocent “senior moments” become something more.

Despite Sandy’s open acknowledgement and awareness that one day, he too may find himself in such a condition as my grandmother, his spirit, courage, and fight to be a vibrant and public voice of awareness for the disease is certainly inspiring. His voice is getting heard and his message on alzheimer’s is loud and clear, “care and cure”. CNN is currently following Sandy, filming a multi-chapter documentary on his personal journey, in a piece appropriately titled, “Sandy’s Story.” The world renowned, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, will also be following Sandy Halperin’s story on “Sanjay Gupta, M.D.“

A brief excerpt of chapter one of “Sandy’s Story”, by Stephanie Smith, CNN:

“It is a horrifying, gripping, devastating disease that plays havoc on the family and on the patient,” says Gail Halperin, Sandy’s wife.

But, she says, what has softened the blow of Halperin’s diagnosis is the way he responded to it — at least after the initial stunned feeling subsided.

“He immediately came out and said, ‘I don’t want to cover this up. I want to share it with people and be proactive,'” his wife says.

Recent data suggest that such a response is rare: Nearly 13% of Americans reported experiencing worsening confusion or memory loss after age 60, but most — 81% — had not consulted with a health care provider about their cognitive issues, according to the March Alzheimer’s Association report.

One of the goals of the project is to achieve increased awareness, in the hopes that individuals and family member’s recognize the early warning signs sooner to increase the effectiveness of medical intervention, and even incorporate technology aids, like the grandCARE system, to help improve the patient’s quality of life and their ability to remain more independent.

To learn more about this project, and how you may be able to help, please go to:
http://napa.alz.org/national-alzheimers-project-act-backgroun

grandCARE mentioned as innovative digital health devices for caregiving

February 27, 2015

Digital Health Devices Now Used By 41% of U.S. Home Caregivers

By Jared Reitzin

Parks Associates is out with a new report showing that 41% of caregivers in U.S. broadband households currently use a digital health device as part of their “caregiving routine,” (including 8% who use online tools to coordinate their efforts.”

“Among U.S. broadband households, 22% have a head of household who currently provides care for a family member or anticipates doing so in the near future,” said Harry Wang, Director of Health & Mobile Product Research at Parks Associates.

…

“At 2015 International CES, we’ll see many new digital health devices and software on display, including innovations from companies such as…Grandcare..These innovative solutions will find strong interest among current caregivers, but they will also have high standards to meet in improving the ways caregivers can monitor their family members.”

read the full article here

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

August 19, 2014

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 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.

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.

Digital health is growing rapidly

July 29, 2014

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.

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

This 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.

Why your Homecare organization needs to go DIGITAL

June 30, 2014

Join GrandCare Systems® for a 45 minute webinar

Thursday, July 17th, 2014 | 2:00 – 2:45pm CT (3pm ET)

Esther Taking BP and Skype

If you are providing in-home care services, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity to learn how caregiving technology can improve your top and bottom lines, make your team more effective, more efficient and enable a larger geographic reach.

Using real case studies & examples, GrandCare will be hosting a webinar that will prove that you can save money, reduce staff burdens and stress, while securing new revenue streams.

REGISTER HERE for your chance at winning a Fitbit® wearable fitness tracker!

Agenda:

The HUGE opportunity
What is GrandCare? 1 Stop Caregiver technology
Your New and IMPROVED marketplace
The truth about PERS and why it isn’t enough
Team-based approach
The GrandCare HomeCare Advantage
Office Staff advantage
In-home caregiver advantage
Client/Family advantage
Competitive Differentiation
GrandCare Implementation Story
Sally Roger’s story
Assured HomeCare’s GrandCare implementation
Cost vs. Profit: Return on Investment

Presenter:

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems

Laura is a founding member of GrandCare Systems and was responsible for bringing GrandCares’s product to market in 2006, while aiding in the creation of the “Digital Health” and Aging & Technology industry. She specializes in channel partnerships, growth hacking, and non-traditional marketing and social media. She was featured in Forbes for her social media strategies and has been recognized by several industry media outlets, including Connected World Magazine’s 2014 Top Women of M2M, a nomination for the 2012 WEGO Health “Trailblazer”, 2012 Dealerscope’s 40 Under 40, 2012 “Young Turk of CE” by Custom Retailer Magazine, and the 2011 Mary Furlong Flame Award.

Laura speaks throughout the country at industry events and radio shows on Digital Health, Mitigating Hospital Readmissions Using Technology, Social Media, and Go-to-market Strategies in the Aging Industry. Venues include CES, Digital Health Summit, Mhealth Summit, M-enabling Summit, LeadingAge, AgeTech West, AARP, Connected Health Symposium, and others. She has authored several publications and whitepapers for industry magazines, internet publications, blogs, and books. Laura has consulted for major cable, aging service, and in-home care providers, and has mentored fellow start-up innovators. She was a key organizer in the early days of the EHX and CEDIA Future Home Pavilions, and created the first industry-wide Aging and Technology webinar series in 2008, which flourished for years. Laura was co-founder of the Aging Technology Alliance, an organization encouraging co-ompetition amongst the Aging in Place Technology industry.

Laura is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison and lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

GrandCare Wins “Most Innovative Senior Living Product” Award 2014

June 11, 2014

For the second year in a row, GrandCare Systems® has been announced as the winner of SeniorHomes.com’s Best Senior Living Award for “Most Innovative Senior Living Product”.

GrandCare Systems provides the most comprehensive caregiving technology on the market today, enabling individuals to remain safe, healthy, and happy at home. GrandCare’s simple, touch platform enables a resident to view pictures, receive incoming messages, watch videos, video chat with family, listen to music and play fun games. Using a series of wireless activity and telehealth devices, GrandCare can alert designated caregivers by phone, email or text if anything seems amiss (medications not accessed, glucose levels not taken, abnormal activity, etc.).

The SeniorHomes.com Best Senior Living Awards program highlights the best senior living communities in select major metropolitan areas across the US. Utilizing independent, reputable sources such as local experts, state inspection data, and online community reviews from across the web, the program aims to identify and recognize those communities that exceed expectations in serving their residents through highly effective programs and resources to help seniors and their family members navigate the multitude of senior housing options. Consumers face a multitude of care and housing options and today there is not a reliable, objective source of information for comparing and evaluating the quality of the senior living communities in those areas.

The winner of Most Innovative Products is awarded to the finalist that earns the highest rating during the Best Senior Living Awards.

The GrandCare System is now available online at the NEW GrandCare Systems web store. Shop now at Store.GrandCare.com, or learn more about the system at GrandCare.com.

GrandCare Systems to be featured at the 2014 Digital Health Summit

June 10, 2014

The Digital Health Summer Summit takes a deep dive into the elements of a successful digital health venture. On the heels of the sold-out, wildly successful Digital Health Summit at the 2014 International CES, the Digital Health Summer Summit is a two-day conference showcasing the latest digital health innovations from the point of view of the industry’s most brilliant thinkers and doers.

Exploring the most pressing–and sometimes controversial–questions that face the industry today, the Summer Summit provides a unique forum for industry veterans to share their hard-learned lessons and insider tips on this multifaceted, fast-growing market.

To register now CLICK HERE

Who Should Attend?

Healthcare providers and professionals
Healthcare and fitness device/ technology companies
Policymakers, pharma execs, insurers and payers
VCs, angels and other vested financial players
Media and analysts
Academia, students and start-ups
And anyone looking to expand into digital health and fitness

Gaining Traction: The Markets to Watch
Friday, June 20th, 10:15am-10:35am

GrandCare Systems very own Chief Marketing Officer, Laura Mitchell, will be speaking at the 2014 Digital Health Summer Summit. This will be taking place June 18th-20th in San Francisco, CA.

With a number of growing markets in digital health, there are undoubtedly a few that seem to be picking up speed with consumers and care providers: aging and wearables. And with this comes more investor dollars and 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 value of the wearables market expected to cross $8B by 2018, consumers and companies are taking notice.

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems

Laura is a founding member of GrandCare Systems. A significant part of her initial role was to bring the product to market in 2006 through the development of a nation-wide distribution network. Laura specializes in Social Media and non-traditional, guerilla marketing strategies, furthering GrandCare brand recognition throughout the digital health industry, and has been featured in Forbes for her work.

She travels nationwide, providing educational presentations on digital home health, social media, using technology to mitigate hospital readmissions, and go-to-market strategies. Venues include the AARP National Convention, AHIMA, NAHB, Connected Health Symposium, ASA, CEDIA, CEA Industry Forum, and CES. She has also authored various magazine articles on the digital health market and go-to-market strategy.

Laura was a key organizer for the EHX and CEDIA Future Home Pavilion Educational Tracks. In 2008, she created the industry-wide Aging and Technology webinars. She was the recipient of the What’s Next 2011 Boomer Business Innovation Award for Excellence in Leadership and Innovation and was awarded the 2012 Dealerscope’s “40 Under 40” Award.

Laura was recently featured as a speaker on the Peggy Smedley Show. Click here to listen.

Be sure to visit GrandCare Systems®
Silver Sponsor, 2014 Digital Health Summit

Industry pioneer GrandCare Systems provides the most trusted and comprehensive caregiving technology on the market. Since 2005, GrandCare has enabled individuals to remain healthier, happier, and more independent.

GrandCare is a complete communication, cognition and monitoring technology – Designed to keep individuals safe, healthy, happy and independent at home. Using a series of wireless activity (door, temp, motion, bed, etc.) and telewellness (bloodpressure, weight) sensors, a care-partner can automatically be notified if anything is amiss. Family can can connect by two way video chat AND send pictures, messages, emails, videos and other communications to an easy-to-use touch monitor in the loved one’s home. Loved ones need ZERO technical experience.

GrandCare Nominated for the 2013 Senior Living Awards – Most Innovative Product

January 14, 2013

SENIORHOMES.COM
2013 BEST SENIOR LIVING AWARDS

“The SeniorHomes.com 2013 Best Senior Living Awards aims to identify and highlight top resources, people, providers and organizations in a wide variety of caregiving and senior living categories. Using a combination of public votes and a professional, standardized rating process, we’ve uncovered the most comprehensive, useful resources, influential people and forward-thinking organizations in the senior living space.”

MOST INNOVATIVE SENIOR LIVING PRODUCTS

“With the coming wave of aging baby boomers, hundreds of entrepreneurs are bringing innovative senior living products to the market, many designed to help seniors maintain their independence at home. We’ve identified the most innovative, out-of-the-box products which offer seniors independence or improved lifestyles.”

VOTE FOR GRANDCARE TODAY!

Since 2005, GrandCare Systems® has provided the most comprehensive caregiving technology on the market today, enabling individuals to remain safe, healthy and happy at home. GrandCare’s simple, touch platform enables a Resident to view pictures, receive incoming messages, watch videos, video chat with family, listen to music and play fun games. Using a series of wireless activity and telehealth devices, GrandCare can alert designated caregivers by phone, email or text if something seems amiss.

Laurie Orlov speaks on Caregiving Technology: What’s New

August 18, 2010

Every Thursday at 2p ET (1p CT), GrandCare Systems hosts an aging & technology industry call.

This Thursday, 8-19-10

TOPIC: Laurie Orlov, Aging in Place Technology Watch speaks on Caregiving Technology — What’s New?

Join us: http://my.dimdim.com/grandcare
Optional Dial In listed on the webinar

8-19-10 Call sponsored by Added Care Services. Co-sponsored by Celery & Home Controls.

Laurie M. Orlov, a tech industry veteran, writer, speaker and elder care advocate, is the founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch, a market research firm that provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and related services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice. In addition to her technology background and years as a technology industry analyst, Laurie served as a volunteer long-term care ombudsman and is certified in Geriatric Care Management from the University of Florida and the author of When Your Parents Need Elder Care.

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