Tag Archive for: GrandCare Systems

Help Sandy Halperin share his Alzheimer’s story!

DONATE Today!

support sandy

Sandy Halperin has been an unpaid international advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness and is extremely open and honest, sharing his personal battle. His wife is battling cancer and they could use our help!  Please share this with friends & family!!

sandys family
 
 
 
 
 
Alexander “Sandy” Halperin, DDS, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2010 at the age of 60. As a person living with memory difficulties, Sandy has chosen to remain proactive in his quest for knowledge and not allow the disease to define him. As a member of the National Alzheimer’s Association 2012 Early-Stage Advisory Group, Sandy helped to bring awareness to what he calls “invisible illnesses” or medical problems that may not be readily seen by others. His goal continues to be to speak on behalf of patients and their caregivers dealing with a cognitive impairments to a variety of audiences, and to raise awareness and funds toward Alzheimer’s research, treatments and cures.He is being followed by CNN to tell his story and acting as an invaluable resource to the medical and aging in place industry. Sandy does this because he has a huge heart and truly wants to help others. He does not get paid for his tireless efforts. Sandy’s wife is in chemotherapy, which means both of them had to retire much earlier than they had anticipated.Recently, Sandy approached GrandCare Systems to use the system as a second brain. Sandy is a larger than life person, so naturally he quickly became a close friend. This is the effect that Sandy has on all who get a chance to meet him and/or hear his story. He is truly an inspiration to all of us.

GrandCare would like to help Sandy and his family to remain financially sound. Will you help support Sandy’s cause? 100% of ALL proceeds (after FundRazr’s and pay pal’s fees) go DIRECTLY to Sandy and his family.  No donation is too small. Please consider donating today and share with your friends.

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GrandCare featured in Star Tribune article on aging and technology

We wanted to share the recent article by the Minneapolis Star Tribune on how enabling technologies are helping individuals to live independently, safely and happily at home.

GrandCare could not agree more with Andy Carle’s point of view on the acceptance of technology. When technology makes the quality of life better, it is accepted. When it makes life confusing and difficult, it is not. These seniors that we are discussing are the same folks that went from walking to flying and first put a man on the moon. They are not tech-phobic. We simply need to make the interface and user experience pain free and helpful.  At GrandCare, that has been a vision since day one. How can we bridge the generations and connect grandchildren and great grandchildren with their senior family members?  How can we find a middle ground when both generations prefer different methods of communication?

Note: As a clarification in the Star Tribune article, the GrandCare System is not an emergency response system.  Instead, GrandCare relies on a series of activity and telehealth devices to provide an overview of information on a loved one. The caregivers can set parameters to receive specified alert (unusual activity, doesn’t get out of bed, didn’t access medications, etc.). Designated caregivers can also log in to GrandCare’s web portal to add reminders, medication schedules and even video chat directly to the loved one through a simple and intuitive touchscreen appliance in the loved one’s home. Thanks again for shedding light on this emerging and innovative industry.

The new retirement: Technology

  • Article by: PAUL DUNCAN , Star Tribune
  • Updated: August 7, 2013 – 9:48 AM

It’s such a cliché: grandpa fiddling with the buttons on the cellphone he barely knows how to use, grandma struggling to remember how to switch the computer on. But is it true that older people don’t like technology and don’t use it?

The reality, says expert Andrew Carle, is completely different from the perception. Carle, director of the Program in Senior Housing Administration at George Mason University and a consultant on aging issues, coined the term “Nana Technology” for innovations that not only help our aging population, but actually can save their lives.

Carle was in Minnesota in June to give a talk to Aging Services of Minnesota in Brooklyn Center on “Nana Technology: Is There A Robot In Your Future?” This is a summary of his presentation:  

Why technology is important

In two words: Global aging, says Carle. The first of 78 million baby boomers turned 65 on January 1, 2011, and the population aged 85 and older is expected to more than triple from 5.7 million in 2010 to 19 million in 2050. And it’s not an American phenomenon; on the list of countries with the highest percentage of people over 60, the U.S. comes 43rd. The outcome, says Carle, is that global aging will affect us long before global warming. “Individuals who in 1968 thought they would change the world,” Carle says, “by 2028 actually will.” So how will we take care of all these seniors? The answer is: Technology…

Carle highlights these useful and potentially life-saving technologies for seniors…

 

Sandys Screen

GrandCare Systems (grandcare.com): An integrated system that uses sensors around the home to monitor health and wellness, and establishes a baseline of normal activities. Reports emergencies, and allows communication with the senior via an open TV channel or available touch screen unit

 

…

To read the full article: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/goodlife/218580541.html

Entry One GrandCare Stroke Informational Series powered by RTH Foundation

Welcome to GrandCare’s Stroke Awareness Series featuring information provided by the RTH Stroke Foundation: rthfoundation.org

We will continue our stroke awareness series by showcasing facts, prevention methods and ways that GrandCare digital health technology can mitigate risks associated with stroke

Sandys Screen

Monitor & Control your Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Diabetes & Lifestyle

Use GrandCare technology to automatically track and record your blood pressure, weight, pulse ox and/or gluocse readings AND provide it remotely to a dedicated family member, caregiving or healthcare provider.  

med-set-431

According to the RTH Foundation, taking these simple precautions can help mitigate the risk of potential stroke.  RTH also recommends a healthy diet, regular exercise and adhering to medications described by your doctor.  GrandCare can provide informational tools, provide a socialization resource for family members to check in, and a remote, online medication scheduling and reminder platform.  GrandCare also provides the opportunity for a family member to video chat into the GrandCare System and observe if a loved one may need added support or assistance.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krJZ_ZisnRo#t=131]

What Can You Do About Stroke?  

By RTH Stroke Foundation

“Today stroke is the Number 4 cause of death, and the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. Each year in this country people suffer 795,000 strokes, 610,000 of which are first strokes. Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age.

Strokes, sometimes called “brain attacks,” occur because of a sudden failure of the brain to receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs to thrive. This can happen for either of two reasons: a vessel leading the brain is blocked or a vessel in the brain ruptures.

Here’s the really good news. Experts say that fully 80% of all strokes are preventable.   Eighty per cent! Think about that. If you buy a lottery ticket, your odds of winning the big one are as tiny as 1 in 127 million against you.  But if you control your risk factors, the odds of avoiding a stroke are 8 to 10 in your favor.  So why would you not do that?

Here are some risk factors you can control:

Blood Pressure. If your blood pressure is regularly about 120/80, it’s in great shape.  If it’s regularly above 140/90, you’ve got a problem and should see your doctor to find out what to do about it. Diet, exercise and medication can help,

High Cholesterol.  Every body needs cholesterol, but too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can clog arteries and lead to a stroke or heart attack.  In addition to having an overall cholesterol reading of less that 200, you should have an HDL (good cholesterol) reading above 40, and an LDL (bad cholesterol) reading of less than 100. The best defense is a diet high in grains, fruits and vegetables, and low in saturated fat.  In addition, your doctor can prescribe medications that can help lower your cholesterol.

Diabetes. If you’re a Type 2  diabetic keeping your blood glucose level in the low 100’s is essential.  Weight loss alone can accomplish this in many people.  Doctors can also prescribe medication.

Controllable lifestyle factors. Maintain an anti-stroke lifestyle: a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, no smoking, little or no alcohol and using any medication your doctor prescribes.

While there are some risk factors you can’t control — age, gender, race, prior heart attack, and family history of stroke — there is much you can do to switch the odds in your favor.

Diagnosing Stroke on the Spot

Two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. If you can recognize the symptoms of stroke and act immediately, you may help to limit the disabilities the person will incur and you may even save that person’s life.

If you are in the presence of someone who is exhibiting symptoms of stroke, use the FAST method to do a layperson’s diagnosis.

Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

Arm. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, such as, “Most grass is green.” Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

Time. If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 — immediately.

If you want more information about stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment or support groups, contact the RTH Stroke Foundation in Laguna Hills.   Phone: (888) 794-9466. www.rthfoundation.org  Their sole purpose is to wipe out stroke.  Their seminars, support groups, and screenings are all free.”

The above blog was borrowed with permission from the RTH Stroke Foundation: http://rthfoundation.org/

GrandCare: My In-Home 2nd Brain

The “GrandCare” System Acting as my
“In-Home 2nd Brain” (so to speak…)

med-set-431The GrandCare System continues to be a solid and substantial in-home 2nd brain for me as I continue to work with the folks at the company. I forgot to take my meds the other evening, but was reminded to do so by the system with a text to my phone, etc. Reminders and events, etc are sent to me throughout each day – it is spectacular. More in the coming days and weeks as I (or others in my family or caregivers input more information into my system). Take care!

By Alexander Sandy Halperin, DDS
De-Stigmatizing Alzheimer’s
SandyHalperin@Gmail.com

GrandCare launches video competition for Grandparents Day Sept 8th!

Charlie and Gaytha Hillman with their seven grandchildren

Charlie and Gaytha Hillman with their seven grandchildren

Attention all you creative kids & teens!

National Grandparents Day is September 8th, 2013.

In celebration of this fantastic holiday, we’re doing something special.  We are hosting a competition for kids around the world to make the best video commercial promoting grandparents!  It can be creative, it can be musical, it can be theatrical, it can be fun!   Get your friends, family and grandparents involved!

Get your creativity on and submit your 30-second-or-shorter video to YouTube for your chance to win!!  The winners with the most views on September 8th, 2013 will receive technology and cash prizes.   Submit once, submit often!!!

All videos must be uploaded to YouTube.  Your video title must begin with the words “GrandCare Systems loves Grandparents contest.”   GrandCare will share your video through our various social media networks. Contestants will want to share their video with all their friends and family, too, because On September 8th, the video with the most views wins.

The first place winner will receive a cool technology prize (tba), will be featured on the GrandCare blog & social media networks, will have their video featured on the GrandCare homepage & will receive additional kudos & general awesomeness!

There will also be prizes for our Second & Third runner-ups (cash, gift cards & technology).

CONTEST Instructions & Rules:

– All videos must begin with the applicant sharing his/her first name and location and stating this is the GrandCare loves Grandparents contest

– Video must be submitted before Sept 8th, 2013 to youtube

– Videos must be submitted with the title “GrandCare loves Grandparents contest”

– Videos with the most views on Sept 8th, 2013 win

–  Videos must at some point include “hey, GrandCare, grandparents are awesome!” This can be spoken, sung or written at any point during the video

– There is no limit to how many videos you may submit

– Videos must be less than one minute in length

– Videos May not contain copyrighted material (songs or media)

 

If you are interested in partnering with GrandCare on this Grandparent promotional effort, please contact us: media@grandcare.com

Knute Nelson awarded a grant to distribute GrandCare technology throughout palliative and hospice care homes

The Blandin Foundation awarded the Knute Nelson Foundation a $50,000 grant to introduce GrandCare technology to palliative care and hospice patients throughout a 25-county west central Minnesota region where Knute Nelson services.  Knute Nelson is being supported by GrandCare’s distribution partner, Cybermation.

GrandCare is a technology that supports aging & healing in place.

Since 2005, GrandCare Systems has provided the most comprehensive caregiving technology on the market, 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.).

GrandCare starts with a large touchscreen in the patient’s room where both patients and their families can access health and wellness information, bereavement support and chronic disease education.

GrandCare allows patients, caregivers and nursing professionals the ability to access essential patient information to monitor and ensure proactive health care interventions.

GrandCare enables medication management (prompting a patient when medications should be accessed) as well as a social connection to family through video chat, messaging and other social media type features.

For information on Knute Nelson Home Care and Hospice, visit www.knutenelson.org or call (320) 759-1273.

http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/106416/group/Business/

GrandCare Systems to Offer GreatCall’s 5Star Urgent Response to its Clients

WEST BEND, WIS. AND SAN DIEGO (July 16, 2013) Care in WI

GrandCare Systems LLC and GreatCall, Inc., announced today that GrandCare will be adding 5Star Urgent Response®, the leading mobile personal emergency response solution (mPERS), to its comprehensive caregiving technology platform.

GrandCare’s simple, touch platform enables an at-home senior 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 unusual occurs. GrandCare’s technology is used today domestically and internationally by residents of senior living communities and assisted living facilities, seniors living independently, and by recipients of in-home senior care.

5Star extends the GrandCare platform by enabling seniors with immediate access to help in an urgent situation, while they are in their home or away.  Seniors carry or wear the compact 5Star device and press the button to connect to a 24/7 professional emergency response agent when they feel vulnerable or uncertain, or are experiencing a health or safety issue. The highly trained, NAED-certified 5Star agents have immediate access to the senior’s personal profile and location, evaluate the situation, determine the right course of action and coordinate the help needed, remaining on the line until the situation is resolved.  5Star also includes access to a URAC Accredited Health Call Center, registered nurses, and physicians when appropriate.

Designated caregivers can log into the GrandCare website to send communications to the loved one, view activity & digital health sensor information, and customize the automatic caregiver alerts. A caregiver may choose to receive a call, email or text message if specified conditions occur. With the addition of 5Star, caregivers can use an on-line locator service to find a loved one who is missing or hasn’t responded to a call, and can be designated as a contact in the case of an urgent incident.

“We have always known GreatCall as a capable and visionary leader in the mPERS industry,” said GrandCare Systems founder and CEO Charlie Hillman. “Adding their mPERS solution to our existing caregiving technology platform is a natural fit”.

“5Star Urgent Response offers a crucial safety net for senior care recipients and peace of mind for their caregivers.  GrandCare serves a market segment that is important to us, and we are pleased to add them as a distribution partner.”  said GreatCall CEO David Inns.

About GrandCare Systems LLC

GrandCare Systems, on the market since 2006, uses a series of wireless activity & telehealth sensors in a loved one’s home to alert family members if anything seems amiss. Family members can Skype and send pictures, messages, videos, etc., to their loved one using a simple touchscreen interface. GrandCare combines a 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 caregiving technology in the private home market.  GrandCare has received  world-wide attention from the BBC World News, Italian and French news networks, and U.S. media platforms such as:  The Today Show, the Discovery Channel, CNN, CBS News, etc. To learn more about GrandCare Systems, please visit:  www.grandcare.com.

About GreatCall, Inc.

GreatCall provides easy-to-use wireless health and safety products for aging consumers and their families, allowing them to enjoy a worry-free independent lifestyle. The company stands apart from other wireless services providers through its simplified, personalized and humanized approach, as well as its commitment to providing a high quality customer service experience. The company has been widely praised for its ability to deliver the benefits of innovation and technology in a meaningful and easy-to-use format. GreatCall has received prominent national media accolades from the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, Washington Post and major TV broadcast networks.

GreatCall’s products and services, including The 5Star™ and the Jitterbug® are sold nationwide at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sears, Radio Shack Dealer Franchise, Fry’s Electronics and ShopKo, as well as direct to consumers at 1-800-918-8543 and online at GreatCall.com. Service coverage includes the U.S. and Canada. GreatCall is located in San Diego, CA.

To learn more about all available GreatCall products and services, please visit: http://www.greatcall.com. This GreatCall news release and other announcements are available at http://www.greatcall.com/buzz. Or follow our news on Twitter @GreatCallInc and on Facebook facebook.com/greatcall. For access to company logos and high-resolution images and screen shots, please visit: www.greatcall.com/assets

West Bend Daily News: GrandCare receives $200K county loan

Company offers health care, technology

By DAVE RANK

A $200,000 county low interest loan was approved for GrandCare Systems LLC, a growing technology company in West Bend, through the Economic Development Washington County, the EDWC announced Monday.

GrandCare is rapidly expanding sales of its digital health monitoring and socializing technology for the elderly both domestically and internationally, GrandCare co-founder and CEO Charlie Hillman said.

GrandCare Systems combines digital health assessment, biometric readings, daily living activity sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications technology for the private home market since 2006.

“Home health care is a growing segment of the global economy,” EDWC Executive Director Christian Tscheschlok said. “We are excited to support the growth of a local company that offers significant potential to elevate our economy through its noteworthy leadership in that expanding market.”

Hillman’s wife, Gaytha Traynor, co-founded GrandCare and is the company’s chief operating officer.

In part, the company’s current expansion is due to the the Community Development Block Grant loan from the EDWC, Hillman said.

GrandCare now is available for retail purchase throughout the United States, Bermuda, New Zealand, Australia and [soon] the United Kingdom, Laura Mitchell, vice president of business development, said.

The daughter of Hillman and Traynor, Mitchell has been a part of GrandCare since its founding. “It started with just four of us in 2005,” Mitchell said. “We now have 18 employees.”

In January, GrandCare announced it had an exclusive contract to provide technology to the largest home health care provider in the United Kingdom, Mitchell said.

“It’s an exciting time for GrandCare and the ‘aging in place’ technology industry,” Hillman said. “The vision that the EDWC has shown will not only help build up our team to support our large contracts, but also will showcase that Washington County is a pioneer in the Health Information Technology space.”

The loan will help GrandCare expand its staff, Mitchell said, including finding a new CEO to step in for Hillman.

“Charlie has been the vision of GrandCare and he wants to remain the visionary,” Mitchell said. Hillman and Nick Mitchell, vice president of product development, built GrandCare’s products from scratch, Laura Mitchell said. “He (Hillman) wants to stay in development.”

Nick and Laura Mitchell are married.

“We are considered the pioneer in the industry,” she said. “We have that credibility.”

GrandCare’s largest competitor is a partnership formed by General Electric and Intel, she said.

The company is also preparing to launch its own e-commerce online site to sell its products directly to consumers, Laura Mitchell said.

GrandCare is located at 327 N. Main St., Lower Riverside. For more information, visit www.grandcare. com or call 338-6147.

GrandCare Systems awarded CDBG loan from EDWC

WEST BEND, Wis., (July 8, 2013) – GrandCare Systems®, a Washington County-based organization, is rapidly ramping up deployments of their touch-based digital health monitoring and socialization technology both domestically and internationally. This expansion is in part due to funding provided through the award of a CDBG loan for $200,000 from Economic Development Washington County (EDWC).

“It’s an exciting time for GrandCare and the ‘aging in place’ technology industry”, says GrandCare founder, Charles Hillman. “The vision that the EDWC has shown will not only help build up our team to support our large contracts, but also will showcase that Washington County is a pioneer in the Health Information Technology space.”

The GrandCare System starts with a large, user-friendly touchscreen placed into a loved one’s home. This touchscreen displays weather, news, calendar events, medication prompts, reminders, family photos, videos and allows for one-button Skype with designated family and friends. Various activity, smart home sensors & telehealth devices are placed around the home to give authorized caregivers and family “peace of mind” that all is normal and safe at home. Caregivers can choose to receive email, text or phone alerts if specified conditions occur (e.g. medication noncompliance, unusual night activity, failure to access the kitchen during mealtime, etc.)

GrandCare also enables the loved one with their own large sized “smart device” giving them easy access to family photos, videos, web-based content and one-touch Skype calls with children and grandchildren. These features are critical to help overcome the very real and damaging effects of social isolation.

“Home healthcare is a growing segment of the global economy”, states Christian Tscheschlok, Executive Director of Economic Development Washington County, “We are excited to support the growth of a local company that offers significant potential to elevate our economy through its noteworthy leadership in that expanding market.”

GrandCare is available today for retail purchase throughout the United States, Bermuda, New Zealand, Australia, and soon in the UK. For more information, visit www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147

About GrandCare Systems

GrandCare Systems, on the market since 2006, uses a series of wireless activity & telehealth sensors in a loved one’s home to alert family members if anything seems amiss. Family can Skype and send pictures, messages, videos, etc, to the loved one using a simple touchscreen interface. GrandCare 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.
For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com

About Economic Development Washington County

Economic Development Washington County (EDWC) is an independent economic development organization fueling growth businesses and industries for the creation of quality jobs and wealth in Washington County. EDWC accomplishes this through a focus on existing business development consulting; engaging in driver-industry business attraction; supporting qualified start-up enterprises and serving as a central voice on economic development issues.

About CDBG RLF Funds

Economic Development Washington County (EDWC), on behalf of Washington County, administers a pool of funds that can make loans to businesses wishing to expand or locate in the county. These loans are customized to a project but have typically been smaller in size ($20,000-$100,000) and are made at a low interest rate. Principal and interest repaid by those businesses with loans are reinvested back into the fund to be lent out again, making it a “revolving loan fund,” or RLF.

Laura Mitchell on BBS Radio – Reaching For The Gold

“The GrandCare System helps connect elders with the world in ways designed to maximize their independence while also ensuring their safety. This technology not only tracks when they take their medication and other important health statistics. It also allows elders to send e-mails and other important correspondences without the technology frustrating or intimidating them.

Laura Mitchell serves as VP of business development for this company. She has spoken throughout the country about how digital home health can mitigate hospital admissions and otherwise have positive outcomes for elders and their family.”

Reaching For The Gold with Harriet Tramer

Reaching For The Gold airs every other week
BBS Radio Station 1 – Tuesdays
2:00 – 2:55 PM (PST)
5:00 – 5:55 PM (EST)

Harriet Tramer is publishing journalist and a college instructor. Harriet finds that these two careers have much in common as they both demand honing communication skills every day. Over the years, however, her understanding of precisely what is meant by “communication skills” has changed exponentially. At first, she taught classes in the most traditional sense, standing in front of students. And she wrote for print media. But now she instructs her students almost exclusively online and her writing is published in print and over the web. Times have changed but the need to speak to your audience by being concise, yet intriguing, remains the same.

—– Contact Harriet Tramer —–
Email: harriet.tramer@tri-C.edu
Website: http: www.justwannatalk.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/JustWannaTalk1