Minnesota-based Aging Services Group exclusively selects GrandCare for member organizations

October 28, 2014

Aging Services Group Chooses GrandCare to Help
Senior Living Providers Better Serve Older Adults at Home

Innovative Technology Empowers Consumers, Removes Distance as Barrier to Care

“GrandCare was a natural choice for us. We are seeing an exponential increase to our aging population, while the relative number of caregivers and physicians is in decline,” said Jared Schei, Executive V.P. of Aging Services Group.”

Aging Services Group, a subsidiary of Aging Services of Minnesota, the largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors, has partnered with GrandCare Systems, to change and enhance the way traditional caregiving services are deployed for older adults in the state.

GrandCare Systems utilizes digital health and socialization technology to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for individuals in their home, regardless of location.

Aging Services of Minnesota is eager to equip their member organizations with a comprehensive, fully-featured and flexible platform, helping them to provide better, more efficient and more cost-effective care.

“GrandCare was a natural choice for us. We are seeing an exponential increase to our aging population, while the relative number of caregivers and physicians is in decline,” said Jared Schei, Executive V.P. of Aging Services Group. “We believe technology will greatly help amplify care giver efforts and promote patient empowerment and family participation. With its extensive capabilities, GrandCare fits the needs of our members across the long term care continuum, whether they are providing home-based, facility-based, short-term stay or hospice care services.”

Minnesota caregiving organizations like Knute Nelson and LB Homes already utilize GrandCare’s digital health and activity monitoring technologies.

“GrandCare has changed the way we offer care,” said Daphne Karpan, Palliative Care Manager, Knute Nelson in Alexandria, MN. “Knute uses it to remotely monitor our clients’ vitals and quickly identify if a physical nursing visit is needed. It’s been a valuable resource for our hospice clients who use it for end-of-life conversations and video chatting with family.”

The heart of GrandCare is a large, easy-to-read touchscreen placed into the client’s residence providing medication prompts, family communications, one touch HIPAA compliant video chat, messaging, patient assessments, discharge information, scheduling, care plans and more. It is designed to empower and engage the resident, while providing information to improve health and outcomes. A series of optional wireless telehealth sensors can be used to automatically report and graph vital readings, and even notify a staff member if readings are outside of designated thresholds.

“GrandCare is a holistic platform, customized to address all human needs from physical to emotional to spiritual,” said GrandCare co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Laura Mitchell. “With remote telehealth monitoring and virtual visits, distance is no longer a barrier to providing efficient, secure and professional care.”

About Aging Services of Minnesota
Aging Services of Minnesota is the state’s largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors. Together with more than 50,000 caregivers, Aging Services members serve 63,000 older adults every day in all of the places they call home, including home care and services, independent senior housing, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities. Aging Services of Minnesota is the state partner of LeadingAge and state affiliate of Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).

Aging Services of Minnesota Media Contact:
JODI BOYNE
Vice President of Public Relations
jboyne@agingservicesmn.org
651.659.1430 (direct)

About GrandCare
Since 2005, GrandCare Systems has provided the most comprehensive caregiving technology on the market, enabling care professionals to provide safer, faster and more affordable care. GrandCare’s simple, touch platform enables a Resident to self manage chronic conditions, follow health instructions, view family pictures, receive incoming messages, watch videos, and participate in secure video chat sessions. 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 vitals, etc.)
GrandCare Media Contact:
media@grandcare.com 262-338-6147 @grandcare

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

August 4, 2014

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.

Wisconsin-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.

GrandCare 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”.

Original 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.

After 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

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

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.

GrandCare interviews on Empowered Patient Radio

July 25, 2014

Karen Jagoda of Empowered Patient Radio interviewed GrandCare’s Laura Mitchell on the technology expectations of caregivers and patients. Karen inquired about the importance of socialization, asked what the challenges in implementation and why doesn’t everyone have one of these systems? Listen to a detailed explanation of how in-home providers are strategically differentiating their organizations, while ensuring a return on investment.

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare.com speaks on the appeal of technology for care receivers as well as home care providers and medical professionals. – See more at: http://radioactivebroadcasting.net/directory-page/itemlist/category/184-the-empowered-patient#sthash.In7nd1MG.dpuf

Radioactive Broadcasting specializes in creative content, media partnerships, marketing and brand expansion. They help strategic partners grow their reach and increase their sales through internet radio and television shows, integrated content and social media. – See more at: http://radioactivebroadcasting.net/about-us#sthash.NAxbQxoN.dpuf

PLAY NOW

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.

What is GrandCare?

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 that is designed to keep individuals safe, healthy, happy, and independent at home. Using a series of wireless sensors that monitor activity (door, temperature, motion, bed, etc.) and telewellness (blood pressure, weight), a care partner can automatically be notified if anything is amiss. Family can connect via 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.

For more information please visit our website at www.grandcare.com

Going DIGITAL: all your homecare organization needs to know

July 23, 2014

Last week GrandCare Systems presented a 35-minute webinar with real case studies and examples proving that you can save money, reduce staff burdens, and secure new revenue streams.

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.

LISTEN TO THE WEBINAR

What was covered in the webinar?

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

Featured 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.

Interested in reading more about GrandCare?

Visit GrandCare Systems or watch a short Testimonial Video

Grandcare to be showcased at Florida Homecare Conference

July 7, 2014

GrandCare Systems will be exhibiting at the biggest trade show in the Florida home health industry. The Home Care Association of Florida is celebrating its 25th anniversary and GrandCare will be there. Visit us to see how our industry-leading technology can rocket your business forward and blow away your competition.

The HCAF Annual Conference & Trade Show will feature numerous for-credit continuing education sessions presented by leading experts in home health from across the nation. Home health care has changed a lot over the last 25 years, but that’s nothing compared to the changes that will be coming our way. Organizations and professionals will have to adapt during this period in order to thrive.

This year’s conference is about transforming the industry with the important steps home health must take as we move into a new phase of healthcare in America. Learn from industry experts what it takes to hit your own “silver anniversaries” and beyond as we continue providing the best care possible to patients in their preferred setting: their own home.

Booth 417

Stop by our GrandCare booth and receive a free gift card from Starbucks. Even better, set up a short meeting with us to enter a drawing for a free Kindle. Contact info@grandcare.com to set up your meeting. Space is limited!

When: July 23-24, 2014

Where: Buena Vista Palace and Spa Φ Orlando, FL

To reserve a room for the Home Care Association of Florida Conference click here.

What is GrandCare?

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 that is designed to keep individuals safe, healthy, happy, and independent at home. Using a series of wireless sensors that monitor activity (door, temperature, motion, bed, etc.) and telewellness (blood pressure, weight), a care partner can automatically be notified if anything is amiss. Family can connect via 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.

To read more about GrandCare Systems and get access to the store CLICK HERE.

How do we shift the technology care delivery model to a pure outcome based solution?

June 23, 2014

The Digital Health Summer Summit was a success! 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

skype

Private Consumers can purchase direct: http://store.grandcare.com/category-s/1821.htm System Comp HR NEW

GrandCare interviews on Peggy Smedley Radio Show

June 6, 2014

Last week, Peggy Smedley asked some pointed questions on how GrandCare Systems® responds to barriers and obstacles in the aging industry. GrandCare’s Chief Marketing Officer, Laura Mitchell had the answers. Listen to the 15 minute segment on how GrandCare envisions the connected healthcare market, why socialization is critical to mitigate loneliness and isolation and why cognitive assists can help just about anyone.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

GrandCare Systems, headquartered in Wisconsin, has provided the most comprehensive caregiving technology on the market since 2005, enabling individuals to remain safe, healthy, and happy at home.

The GrandCare interactive touchscreen gives residents the option to control communications and view specific pictures, listen to audio messages, check calendar appointments, visit designated web sites, play games and brain exercises, and video chat with family.

Using a series of wireless activity sensors and digital health devices, the system can alert designated caregivers by phone, email, or text if something seems amiss (e.g. no motion in the kitchen or medications were refused).

If interested in reading more about GrandCare Systems or purchasing our product you can visit the website at www.grandcare.com

To access the Interview on the Peggy Smedley website Click Here

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