Tag Archive for: Digital Health

Michael Neuvirth Reviews GrandCare Systems

Home Care Services And Monitoring At The Touch Of A Finger

Michael Neuvirth give GrandCare Systems a Four and a half Star Review
http://caregiverreviews.com

This Review covers a product and technology that has been helping Caregivers since 2005. It is specifically designed to let your loved ones enjoy a high quality of life – while living in their own homes.

Visit Caregiver Reviews online at caregiverreviews.com

Easy To Use, Feature Rich Home Care System

GrandCare Systems combines digital health, biometric readings,  daily living sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications into a comprehensive home care monitoring system.

Caregivers can virtually engage with a loved one, regardless of geographic location.The simple to use, touch-based platform lets your loved one look at family photos, get, read and send “email”, watch videos and conduct video chats, listen to their favorite songs, play games – and more.

Created By Caregivers For Caregivers

Pricing

I spoke with the very nice people at Grandcare. We discussed pricing and they told me that each customer has his/her own specific needs and should end up with a system that suits those particular, specific needs. Grandcare told me that the best way for the customer to get started with Grandcare and learn about the particular pricing is to contact Grandcare directly via a very short questionnaire. You can access the questionnaire here.

Grandcare told me that their goal is for each customer to get the perfect system that suits their need and the questionnaire is the first step in the process. After you submit the questionnaire, Grandcare will contact you directly.

After speaking with Grandcare, it was clear to me that they will not push you to buy more than you need. There is no obligation to buy and they are really good at answering your questions.

I am honored to have included GrandCare in the very first dedicated review site for Caregivers – Caregiver Reviews

Initially, we are only reviewing sites that we know really help Caregivers and improve their quality of life and the quality of life of their loved ones.

Caregivers are extremely busy and we will not waste their time telling
them what not to read – rather we are focusing only on sites like GrandCare – that truly help Caregivers everyday…

Sincerely,

Michael Neuvirth
Founder
Caregiver Reviews
www.caregiverreviews.com

Grandcare’s system gives Caregivers peace of mind – plus the entertainment and socialization features are great for your loved ones. So, just for this – I highly recommend that you check it out further.

The Next Step Please visit Grandcare’s website, submit the questionnaire and learn more about Grandcare yourself.

Take a look at Michael’s full review of the GrandCare System.

“Livable Cities”: What it takes for today’s cities to cater to our aging population!!

Technologies & Requirements to Enable Independence for Seniors in Cities

A musing by GrandCare founder, Charlie Hillman

GrandCare creates technology to empower the elderly to age and heal in place.  Our mission is to reduce the societal cost of long term, post acute, chronic condition, and hospice care while providing a safer, healthier, and happier life for seniors.  The notion of livable cities is of particular importance to our aging population.  Many cities, particularly those in nicer climates have seen large increases in their senior populations. Certainly part of this is the natural aging demographic of the first world, but there is clearly a movement of seniors from rural and suburban venues into the cities.

And it makes sense – cities have a number of big advantages for seniors.

  • They can walk to products and services.
  • There is mass transportation, often with senior discounts
  • There are downsized accommodations without lawn work.
  • There is easy access to senior services.
  • There is good access to healthcare, a particularly important need of seniors.

And, seniors are good for cities – they pay their taxes, they represent considerable wealth, they require services, they volunteer, they provide the wisdom of the ages, and of course, they have a pretty low crime rate.  Given all of this, a larger senior population also presents challenges to cities. Many of these seniors are the recipients of some sort of government assistance. While the federal or state government may be the ultimate payer, the Cities are often responsible for the actual frontline provision of services. Clearly the goal is to provide these services in a compassionate and yet efficient manner.

It is my contention that technology can play a vital component to meet these challenges.

Allow me to muse for a bit and describe what that technology might look like.

Read more

Live Interview with Laura Mitchell, A Young Turk of CE

GrandCare’s, VP Business Development, Laura Mitchell has been named one of this year’s Young Turks of CE by Custom Retailer, for her leadership role and enthusiasm in the digital health field.

Blazing trails in all facets of our industry’s businesses, these rising professionals share the passion, drive and distinction of Young Turks.

-CustomRetailer

While attending the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Laura was interviewed on GrandCare Systems’ ground breaking approach to the use of digital technology in health care by Tony Messina and Barb Beach of GAB Radio. Barb shares with us her own personal story on how a system like GrandCare could have prevented the loss of a loved one for her family.

LISTEN  TO THE INTERVIEW

When PERS alone is just not enough…

I read a great article today by MobiHealth News’ Neil Versel.

“Panic Buttons for Seniors Must Go”

He shared a story about his own grandmother who was living in a facility with panic buttons. She had a fall and because she was unable to press the button, she ended up not receiving help for 8 hours. He called for more passive monitoring soutions that did not require involvement from the individual in order to effectively work.

Clearly at GrandCare, this topic is of utmost importance… I don’t think there has to be only one solution. Perhaps a combination of several pieces can cover several areas.  We combine digital health technology (what are her vitals, is she taking her medications, touchscreen education, prompts & assessments) as well as Activity of daily living remote monitoring…what you were talking about – a series of motion/temp, door, bed sensors can passively give relatives and caregivers information on someone’s routine activities… could this have saved her life? Not sure… but you certainly would have known MUCH sooner that she hadn’t been moving around, perhaps she missed a medication dosage, perhaps you’d be notified she didn’t access the fridge at mealtime or hadn’t used a bathroom in a number of hours.

07a_GrandCare_Taking_BP_on_the_HomeBase_full

The perfect fit is having a combination of a PERS in Conjunction with a system like GrandCare.  If someone is experiencing chest pain and is capable of pressing a button, a crisis mgmt system could be a life saving device.  If someone is having other symptoms (excessive weight gain, wandering, noncompliance, failure to return to bed during the night, etc), the only way you would remotely know that is from a Digital Health/ADL system.  There are some very forward-thinking providers and in-home caregivers out there that have seen the professional caregiving POWERED by technology is the way to go.  I think many times a provider looks at technology as THE solution and instead, it needs to become a vehicle to provide a solution instead of letting the tech define the care.

So who is blazing the trail? Who is doing this right… Just a few honorable mentions go to:

LivHOME’s CareMonitor™ powered by GrandCare Systems®:
One of the largest in-home care providers who combine hands-on care management, caregiving & technology as one complete solution to keep folks independent at home.
www.livhomecaremonitor.com

Lutheran Homes of NY in Jamestown, NY:
They have created SMARTMENT™ homes that combine GrandCare’s digital health monitoring and socialization along with a Personal Emergency Response System and Activity of Daily Living Monitoring!!

I believe the digital health and activity monitoring space is heating up…It’s an exciting time to be a part of this disruptive industry!  Thanks again to Neil for the insightful, personal and thought-provoking article!!

Laura_05
Laura Mitchell, GrandCare Systems
VP Business Development
www.linkedin.com/in/laurahmitchell

Technology and Its Benefits to Helping Adult Children, Caregivers and Seniors Live Better Lives

We wanted to share another great blog article by Mark Phillips, Product Manager at GE Healthcare IT.

Can Technology Help Adult Children, Caregivers and Seniors Live Better Lives?

Mark Phillips

Every day the aging population is growing at a significant rate, and at the same time, technology is taking off at a remarkable pace. So why not combine the two to help adult children take care of their aging loved ones without sacrificing their independence?   He has successfully addressed the key needs the Aging and Technology industry faces and has defined them as below:

      • Support seniors in living their absolute best life where they want to live it!
      • Keep families and caregivers connected, even across long distances
      • Support and promote socialization
      • Promote safety and peace of mind
      • Assist with activities of daily living
      • Help coordinate the myriad of care activities
      • Enable easy interaction with community services and businesses
      • Are easy to setup, intuitive, and easy to use
      • Are affordable to acquire and to keep

Phillips goes on to describe the issues that caregivers and their aging loved ones face and then gives some viable techology solutions as a vehicle to provide better, individualized, and more efficient care. GrandCare is mentioned as a stand out solution “these guys are the blaze, the trail pioneers in the market…”  GrandCare’s VP of Business Development, Laura Mitchell, is described by Mark as “a tireless champion for aging in place technology and who has delivered many blogs and webinars to help spread the word”.

Check out Mark Phillip’s complete blog Here.

JOIN CEDIA WEBINAR “Technologies and Opportunities that can Keep Your Bottom Line off Life Support”

Join us LIVE October 18th 1-2 pm ET

Home Health Care: Technologies and Opportunities that can Keep Your Bottom Line off of Life Support

Featuring Jeff Makowka (AARP) and Laura Mitchell (GrandCare Systems)

Space is limited, click here to register now. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. 

If you haven’t noticed, home health care is for real. It’s almost impossible to make a daily commute without seeing a vehicle sporting some type of graphic advertising “in home care.” According to Aging in Place Technology Watch, the Aging/Technology industry is projected to be greater than $20 billion by 2020. As the current population for the United States continues to age, many consumers are demanding a brand new model of health care; they want it brought to them.

This one hour webinar will break down the market, explore available technology solutions, such as Crisis Management, Activity & Smart Home monitoring, Digital Health, Medication Management, Brain Fitness and Socialization technologies and the expertise required to become involved. Join GrandCare’s Laura Mitchell and AARP’s Jeff Makowka as they pin point the integrator’s role in this landscape and tips for redefining your business model.

At the end of this session participants should be able to:

  • Outline the impact the aging population is having on health care in the home.
  • Describe the different technologies currently being leveraged to enable elderly consumers to stay in their homes longer.
  • Explain the financial opportunities presented by this emerging industry.
  • List critical items to consider when integrating home health offerings into an existing integration business.

Read more

GrandCare Systems™ – May 2012 Software Tour

The recording of Thursday’s LIVE Software Demonstration is now available on YouTube.

http://youtu.be/yFShxGXTfOw

This software demonstration, covers system capabilities for in home use as well as a our caregiver menu and touch screen interface.

“GrandCare offers ‘peace of mind’ for the entire caregiving network, while giving the loved one independence, freedom and happiness.”

GrandCare Systems is considered a pioneer in the aging and technology industry. Available since 2006, GrandCare Systems combines digital health assessments, daily activity monitoring, medication management, smart home automation, and virtual communications for all ages into one easy, flexible and comprehensive solution!

Flagship Franchises of MN, Inc. Includes GrandCare to its Services

Minnesota entrepreneur, Deborah Delaney, has recently added the innovative technological product known as GrandCare to her company, Flagship Franchises of Minnesota, as a way to ensure that seniors are realizing the best possible quality of life.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 20, 2012 –
(Savage, Minn) – Minnesota entrepreneur, Deborah Delaney, has recently added the innovative technological product known as GrandCare to her company, Flagship Franchises of Minnesota, as a way to ensure that seniors are realizing the best possible quality of life. Delaney is passionate about the need for high quality care for seniors, the fastest growing population in the U.S. She recognized GrandCare as a new technology that can help seniors live a more fulfilled social life, safer home life, ensures through monitoring that health issues are taken care of, and provides family with peace of mind.

About GrandCare
GrandCare combines aspects of “Smart Home” automation, Internet communications, social networking designed for residents, tele-health assessment, ADL (activity of daily living) monitoring, cognitive assists, medication management and two-way video chat technologies into one flexible, user friendly, and affordable package. Available since 2006, GrandCare Systems offers the most comprehensive and fully featured aging & technology system on the market today.

The GrandCare System begins with an interactive computer box (no mouse or keyboard) along with sensors in the Resident’s home. Typically placed in a high-traffic area, the GrandCare System quietly listens to the activity and wellness sensors while providing a simple, intuitive interface (interactive touch and non-interactive TV versions available) for the Resident to receive social interactions from family, keep up with current events, play games, and receive cognitive prompts throughout the day. Using a standard Internet browser, remote Caregivers can go online to view activities, monitor vitals, send messages and designate rules as to when and how they’d like to be alerted upon unusual activity in the residence.

As CEO of Flagship Franchises of Minnesota, Delaney offers the GrandCare system through Flagship to her SarahCare clients and to anyone who could benefit from this innovative technology.

Delaney recognized that GrandCare ultimately allows the elderly to live more independently whether they are on their own or living with a loved one. Not only does the program monitor health and medication, it also allows seniors to maintain social connections; even participate in “real time” activities and events. When asked why she made the decision to include GrandCare in her services provided by Flagship, Delaney responded; “Many people are working full-time and have to run home on their lunch hour to check in and/or disperse medication, take blood pressure readings, etcetera. The GrandCare system provides not only a peace of mind, but respite for the caregiver.” This was an important to the home care part of her business.

About Flagship Franchises 
Deborah Delaney is owner and CEO of Flagship Franchises of Minnesota, Inc. Ms. Delaney founded the company in 2002 with the vision of creating and investing in companies that “connect people with premium care”. Its initial investment is SarahCare® a franchise specializing in providing superior Adult Day Care and Home Health Care Services. Community Based Services and the Elder Care Market are two of the most flourishing industries in the United States.

More About SarahCare
SarahCare© is a participant-driven program developed in 1985 by internationally renowned gerontologist Dr. Merle Griff, Ph.D. in Canton, Ohio. The unique program begins with the individual and reaches outward to involve the community as a whole. SarahCare© offers unparalleled assistance to the participant’s special needs, but more importantly recognizes the uniqueness of each individual. Beyond our professional staff of nurses and specialists helping with the daily tasks of living, SarahCare© seeks to share in the richness of the individual’s personal life and actually customize the environment to stimulate the client’s senses.

From specialty programs like our Men’s Club and Kitchen Crusaders, SarahCare® truly is a unique concept that is setting the standard for the adult day services industry.

Delaney opened the SarahCare of Savage, MN facility in 2004 as the first investment of her Flagship Franchises of Minnesota enterprise.

For more information about any of these services or to schedule an interview, contact Deborah Delaney
Office:  952-465-0555
Mobile: 612-810-9796
ddelaney@sarahcaremn.com

@CES 2011 – See the future of AGING: STOP BY the GrandCare Booth: LVCC North #2812

JOIN THE Silvers Summit @CES in 2011. There are loads of exciting events going on!!! Below is a suggestion for optimizing your agenda and filling your days starting with signing up for the AgeTek Workshop on Wednesday afternoon, visiting GrandCare and other AgeTek members in the AgeTek Pavilion in booth 2812 (part of the Silvers Summit) and go on from there…

– – Wednesday – –
The Silvers/AgeTek workshop 1-5pm AgeTek Members Receive a $50 discount!!! Laura Mitchell from GrandCare Systems will be speaking along with Jill Gilbert on the Social Networking Panel!

STICK around RIGHT AFTER THE WORKSHOP and attend the AgeTek annual meeting and networking mixer at 5:30pm. This meeting is open to all AgeTek members and potential new AgeTek members! You may sign up for AgeTek right at the event or JOIN NOW Come and mingle with AgeTek members and meet the staff from GrandCare Systems!

CES 2011 Exhibit Hours: Visit the Silvers Summit, Digital Health and Sports and Fitness in LVCC North Hall.
Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall
Th Jan 6 10a – 6p
Fri Jan 7 9a – 6p
Sat Jan 8 9am – 6p
Sun Jan 9 9am – 4p

– – Thursday January 6th, 2011 – –
10am CES Exhibit Hall Opens!

– – Friday Jan 7th 2011 – –
9 am CES Exhibit Hall Opens!
– Attend a full day of Digital Health panels,
– In the evening, attend the Mommytech Fashion show of wearable Technology

– – Saturday Jan 8th 2011 – –
9 am CES Exhibit Hall Opens!
Attend a full day of Silvers Summit LVCC North Hall,RM N253 Panels, network and meet the speakers
Charlie Hillman, founder of GrandCare Systems, will be speaking along with Meridian’s Sandra Elliot on “Intelligent Systems for Caregivers” from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (LVCC N253)

GrandCare’s Laura Mitchell will be participating on the AgeTek Alliance Panel from 5 – 530p.

For more information on Silvers Summit or the Pre-CES Workshop : Contact susan.walker@silverssummit.com

For more info on GrandCare Systems, events at CES or the AgeTek Pavilion, contact: info@grandcare.com

SEE YOU AT CES!

CES, Digital Health & Silvers Summit

I received a message today from Boomer Authority and wanted to share this – GrandCare will be exhibiting in the Aging Technology Alliance Booth (AgeTek Pavilion) at CES!!! Charlie Hillman & Laura Mitchell from GrandCare Systems will also be speaking during the Digital Health and Silvers Summit. Hope to see you all there!

WEBINAR ── “Emerging Trends in Technology for an Aging Population: An Advance Look at the Silvers Summit and Digital Health Summit” | Organized by: International Mature Marketing Network and Boomer Authority™ Association

Moderated by Lori Bitter, President, Continuum Crew, join industry Thought Leaders Susan Ayers Walker, Silvers Summit and Jill Gilbert, Digital Health Summit ── who are on technologies cutting edge ── and hear them share their views on the latest trends in technology for an aging population. Find details here. Register here.

Date: October 26, 2010 | Time: 1:00 PM (CDT)

Silvers Summit and Exhibition (January 6-9, 2011 at Las Vegas NV) ── “The digital life of this generation changes the rules about how we age” is the theme of the 2011 Silvers Summit, which is held in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show. The Silvers Summit will showcase the products and services that keep boomers engaged, entertained and connected. Silvers Summit will assemble companies, distributors, journalists, research firms, think tanks, to demonstrate the products and services that will help mature consumers maintain their high quality of life. The Conference takes place on Jan 8, 2011. Contact: Susan Ayers Walker at walker@smartsilvers.com.

Digital Health Summit and Exhibition (January 6-9, 2011 at Las Vegas) ── The Digital Health Summit is an important new conference and exhibition at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show. The Summit focuses on the emerging market of consumer-based digital health and wellness devices, related applications and services – – with a special focus on technologies for an aging population! Contact: Jill Gilbert jill.gilbert@me.com.

Visit Boomer Authority™ at: http://boomerauthority.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network