Tag Archive for: eNeighbor

GrandCare featured in The Guardian UK as a leading technology for aging

Ask Jack

What tech can I use to keep an eye on an ageing parent?

Stephen’s mother lives alone, and he would like some way of knowing that she’s OK, without her losing any of her freedom or independence

 

My mum is in her mid-sixties, and lives alone. She’s very active, but naturally we worry about things like: what if she falls or is otherwise incapacitated and can’t get to a phone? She has a Moto G (Android), so I’ve been looking for an app that can run in the background and notify me if certain conditions are met. Say, for example, she doesn’t use her phone for 24 hours. I’ve found one called Man Down, which I thought might do the job, but it would require her to log into the app regularly and set it up. I was looking for a “set it and forget it” solution. I’ve also searched for an IFTTT script – say, alert me if she doesn’t log into Facebook for a day – but with no success.

I’m looking for a light-touch solution. She’s not elderly, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s losing any freedom or independence. Do you have any suggestions? Stephen

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Countries in the developed world, particularly Japan, have aging populations, and monitoring the safety of older people is becoming a big business. It’s a market that American companies such as GrandCare Systems...are already addressing. The New York Times ran an interesting story about the subject: Technologies Help Adult Children Monitor Aging Parents. However, most require monthly payments, and I haven’t seen any similar services in the UK.

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Your mother will probably have heard of Age UK’s service, it retains her independence, isn’t intrusive, and would be entirely under her control. However, it’s relatively expensive, and it doesn’t do very much in comparison with American systems like GrandCare. That would allow you to monitor your mother’s weight and blood pressure, track her movements around the house, and know when she opened the fridge door, for example…

The cost depends on the features, and most are simpler and cheaper. However, a comprehensive system may well be worth the money if it enables an older person to continue living independently at home (in the US jargon, “aging in place“) rather than being moved to a care home

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Read the entire article here

 

GrandCare Systems starts at just $699 to install with a low recurring subscription charge.

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GrandCare Systems on FOXBusinesses’, “Gadgets Every Boomer Needs”

Dr. Alexis Abramson gives “The Boomer” insights on the technology and gadgets available to boomers and provides information on how we can best take advantage of them. This interview covers an array of tech from medication reminders, portable PCs, and eReaders, to innovative products (including GrandCare) which allow seniors to remain independent and healthy at home.

“Gadgets Every Boomer Needs”

 Published June 21, 2012 – FOXBusiness
by Casey Dowd – The Boomer 

Most baby boomers remember watching the animated show The Jetsons wondering if we were getting a glimpse of our future.

Well, we haven’t quite made the transition to flying cars (but driverless cars are hitting the road), and we don’t have talking robot maids (but we do have Rombas that vacuum on their own), but our society is full of technology that I am sure the creators of the show never imagined.

We have smartphones that can answer all our questions, and laptops thinner than most children’s books. As technology continues to advance, boomers are working to keep up with all the changes, and many companies are taking note and catering to our tech vitality…

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Boomer: What technology is available for boomers that live alone and need to reach help in an emergency?

Abramson:  New and improved technologies emphasize wellness, mobility, autonomy and social connectivity.   These innovative products and services are promoting health and independence for aging baby boomers.  Here are a few of my favorite examples of new technology in the fall prevention and emergency monitoring space:

ActiveCare Personal Assistant Link: This one-touch system looks like a small cell phone with large buttons. With the push of a button boomers are connected to ActiveCare’s call center with specialists that can help with everything from calling an ambulance to calling a physician or family members. GPS is integral to the PAL system, allowing users’ locations to be tracked at all times, and can detect if an individual has fallen.

 eNeighbor Monitoring System: This system is programmed to detect unusual activity in the home. A shower left running or a fridge that goes unopened for a day could trigger a phone call to the end user or a caregiver.    

GrandCare: This system offers a comprehensive communication and monitoring system  for active seniors combining aspects of home automation, online communications and healthcare (telehealth) in one flexible and user-friendly package.

BeClose: The device tracks your loved one’s daily routine by receiving information from discreet wireless sensors that are placed in various locations around the home (as well as a wearable alert button).  Caregivers have the freedom of knowing their aging loved one is safe because they are able to check on them at any time using a secure, private web page.  If there are any disruptions to daily life, the primary caregiver will be alerted immediately by phone, email or text message…

Read more

“The Boomer” is a column written for adults nearing retirement age and those already in their “golden years.” It will also promote reader interaction by posting e-mail responses and answering reader questions. E-mail your questions or topic ideas to thefoxboomer@gmail.com.