Tag Archive for: GrandCare

GrandCare Systems Announces Significant Investment in Professional Caregiving Sales Program

GrandCare Systems, a leader in the digital caregiving technology industry, is delighted to announce an increased emphasis and investment on a sales program directed towards professional in-home caregivers, long term care, and healthcare providers.  In order to build and maintain a strong and dynamic sales team, the organization has organized a robust outside sales program including territory directors and an inside sales team.

esther GCSAlthough GrandCare remains available direct to consumer through the GrandCare online store or on Amazon, the company’s focus is on professional caregiving organizations including non-medical homecare providers, home health providers, long-term care organizations, and newly formed accountable care organizations (ACOs).

“Moving away from our previous direct-to-consumer model, the mentality of this new configuration and strategy is to better align our inside and outside sales team to drive strategic growth and, in the end, better serve and support our aging population by arming caregiving experts with the best in innovative technology,” said GrandCare CEO, Daniel Maynard.  “The technology is affordable and has proven revenue success with professional caregivers, enabling them to offer extended caregiving services beyond the traditional hands-on care hours.”

GrandCare is designed to increase profit margins for non-medical and home health providers by allowing for new service models and helping to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions.

“Our home care agency has seen significant results using GrandCare technology, including patient and caregiver satisfaction, reduction of emergent care utilization as well as enhanced care coordination and education for the patient” comments Anne Major, Knute Nelson’s Vice President of Home Care and Hospice. “Our services span 26 counties in West Central Minnesota and GrandCare has allowed us to better connect individuals living in rural areas with health care tools that help to manage their care in their own homes.”

System Comp HR NEWOrganizations like Knute-Nelson also use it as a competitive advantage and a socialization connection resource for families.

“It’s a great way to feel like I’m in touch even though I am across the country from mom,” said a Knute-Nelson customer. Another chimed in “[GrandCare has] the ability to continuously receive current pictures from family and friends, from any computer to my mother’s. The GrandCare system has greatly contributed to my mother’s overall mental health. “

GrandCare Systems starts at just $699 and $49 per month for retail consumers and offers volume discount packages for professional caregiving, long term care, and healthcare organizations.

 

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

It’s time for your organization to GO DIGITAL

Join GrandCare Systems® for a 45 minute webinar

Thursday, August 14th, 2014  ¤  1:30 pm CT (2:30 pm ET)

CC Esther taking BPIf 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.

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

Register Now

Featured Presenter:

Laura Mitchell, VP Business Development, GrandCare Systems

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.

 

What is GrandCare?

System Comp HR NEWGrandCare starts with a central touchscreen hub that acts as a source of information, communication, video chat and medication reminders. A series of telehealth and activity of daily living monitoring devices report wirelessly to designated care partners. GrandCare can be an opportunity for new revenues, a way to extend staff through virtual care services, and a method to reach more clients at once (a dashboard view allows an omniscient view of several clients at once). GrandCare can also be a bridge/opener to new clients that may not be ready for hands-on care yet. Rather than replace on-site caregivers, GrandCare enhances caregiving and offers a new model of delivery.

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

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.

3c6c370Wisconsin-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.

 

jerry_furnessGrandCare 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”.

 

Laura Mitchell, VP Business Development, GrandCare SystemsOriginal 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.

 

gaytha_traynorAfter 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

System Comp HR NEW

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

GrandCare showcased on Lakes Area News

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9hhQPs8X9M?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

GrandCare Systems and Knute-Nelson were recently featured on Lakes Area News. Anchor Chelsea Nelson explored how technology is changing the way we take care of our seniors, often in the comfort of their own homes.

Knute-Nelson Home Care provides personalized health care to individuals in their own home. Services are tailored to meet the needs of each individual and are provided on a one-to-one basis. They use GrandCare in both home care and hospice.

GrandCare starts with a central touchscreen hub that acts as a source of information, communication, video chat and medication reminders. A series of telehealth and activity of daily living monitoring devices report wirelessly to designated care partners. GrandCare can be an opportunity for new revenues, a way to extend staff through virtual care services, and a method to reach more clients at once (a dashboard view allows an omniscient view of several clients at once). GrandCare can also be a bridge/opener to new clients that may not be ready for hands-on care yet. Rather than replace on-site caregivers, GrandCare enhances caregiving and offers a new model of delivery.

 

For more information on GrandCare visit: www.grandcare.com

 

GrandCare interviews on Empowered Patient Radio

 

daily_tasks gcsKaren 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, VP Business Development, GrandCare Systems

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?

System Comp HR11-13

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

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

…

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.

…

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

…

 

Read the entire article here

 

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

Buy NOW

Grandcare to be showcased at Florida Homecare Conference

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.

HCAF Vector Logo

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?

System Comp 2

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.

 

Knute Nelson awarded $350,613 for GrandCare technology incorporation

Today Knute Nelson of Alexandria, MN welcomed the MN Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson to hear about their successful implementation of GrandCare technology into their home care service model.

Jesson announced $3.5M in grants to 27 home and community-based services, shining a spotlight on Knute Nelson, who received the largest amount of funding at $350,613.

“Home and community-based service providers are key to helping people with disabilities and older adults live independently, which is what most people prefer,” Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said. “We have found that initiatives like this promote greater, lasting quality and efficiency and a better overall experience for people being served.”

MN Department of Human Services Press Release:

Alexandria site recognized for using technology to help for people with chronic diseases    July 01, 2014

ALEXANDRIA – Numerous providers of services to older Minnesotans, people with disabilities and the deaf and hard of hearing community will receive funding this summer to implement innovative projects designed to improve service quality.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services today announced $3.5 million in performance-improvement funding to 27 projects in 39 Minnesota counties. To be eligible for funding under the Home and Community-based Services Performance-based Incentive Payment Program, authorized by the 2013 Legislature, providers must put strategies in place to improve in a measurable way recipients’ quality of life and/or service quality, or deliver good, quality service more efficiently.

“Home and community-based service providers are key to helping people with disabilities and older adults live independently, which is what most people prefer,” Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said. “We have found that initiatives like this promote greater, lasting quality and efficiency and a better overall experience for people being served.”

Jesson visited recipient Knute Nelon’s Grand Arbor senior housing facility in Alexandria today to announce the program and see a demonstration of the organization’s GrandCare technology. Knute Nelson Home Care is receiving $350,613 under the program to improve efficiency of services for people with chronic diseases living at home, including implementing GrandCare, an interactive touchscreen used as a communication portal between the client and family caregivers. Since 2012, Knute Nelson has used GrandCare to promote aging in place for older adults with support from a DHS Community Services/Services Development grant. 

  • Knute Nelson Home Care, $350,613 to incorporate GrandCare technology, an interactive touchscreen used as a communication portal between the older person and family caregivers, for people with chronic diseases living at home in Douglas, Grant, Stevens, Traverse, Big Stone and 20 other neighboring counties.

Why your Homecare organization needs to go DIGITAL

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, VP Business Development, GrandCare SystemsLaura 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.

 

 

Turns out you have to take the drug for it to work…

Everett C. Koop once said: “drugs don’t work in patients that don’t take them”… wise words…

I think medication noncompliance has several factors involved.

Sometimes it’s as simple as forgetting when and how to take a medication. This is the simplest form of noncompliance to fix. Text messages, watches, reminder alarms, touch-enabled pop-ups, phone calls, etc. can all be used to remind the user that would like to be compliant to take medications on-time and correctly. Pretty easy and not rocket science, nor are many of these technology fixes new by any means.
Other times there are other reasons for noncompliance including:
– patient doesn’t think they need the drugs
– adverse side effects (drug made them have to get up too many times during the night to go to the bathroom, acid reflux, dizziness, etc.)
– lack of transportation to get the refill
– lack of monies to get the refill

The trouble doesn’t necessarily fall with reminding someone to take medications, although, that certainly may be half the battle and the noncompliance issues resolved with that is well worth it. The other factors listed above are the ones that we need to know and it’s not so simple as to know if the patient didn’t take the drug, but so much more importantly it’s WHY….WHY didn’t they take the drug?

If we don’t know why, we cannot fix the problem. If they don’t think they need it, this should be addressed by family members and potentially a physician. Perhaps it could be as simple to remind the patient that this drug is meant to lower your blood pressure or perhaps this drug is to alleviate arthritis pain. If it’s a transportation issue, simply reminding the patient to take the drug will not help. If it’s a side effect issue, we need to intervene and find out if there is an antidote to the issue. For example, if a patient experienced stomach issues, prescribing an antacid along with the prescription could fix the problem and make that patient compliant. If it’s a financial issue, maybe we can get a social service involved. Again, a simple reminder will not the total solution.

We need technology tools that can enable a resident to not only “decline” a medication, but also indicate why so we have a chance at solving the issue at hand. I think there is so much emphasis on only knowing if the meds were taken or not, but we don’t take that extra step to figure out the ANSWER to noncompliance. More intuitive, interactive technology engaging the resident to remind them how and why to take the medication AND enable them to say why they are noncompliant.

Walgreens, CVS…you should be all over this!!