Tag Archive for: GrandCare

GrandCare featured in: The Homes-built for-Boomers Boom

Great article about GrandCare Canadian Reseller, UberHome!  The article describes the GrandCare technology that UberHome provides!!

As the largest generation of the last century approaches their senior years, the aging-in-place philosophy looks to become the next great revolution in housing.

Baby Boomers

What do today’s baby boomers and Disney’s Peter Pan have in common? According to research done by Doctor Donald Shiner of Mount Saint Vincent University, they both feel as though they will never grow old. Now everyone knows that acting young can keep you feeling young at heart and possibly lead to a longer life, but Dr. Shiner is warning boomers that denying or neglecting the fact that they are aging prevents boomers from making necessary changes to their home and lifestyle.

“1,000 boomers are turning 65 each day as of January 2011 for the next 20 years,” explains Dr. Shiner. “There is no way Canada as a country can take care of that many people. Hospitals and senior housing just won’t have enough space and the country just can’t do it financially.”

This age wave is a ticking time bomb the residential housing industry has been discussing for years. Now that many are aware of the issue, industry leaders are undergoing significant changes to accommodate Canada’s rapidly aging population.

Aging-in-place is the new term, and builders and renovators who understand the issues of an aging population are starting to educate boomers on options available to make life comfortable, safe, and accessible. Aging-in-place design principles can be applied to almost any style of home.

“Builders are now faced with an opportunity to make life better for all clients as they age,” says Dr. Shiner. “Not only can the home have a higher resale value, but the space becomes accessible to seniors, the disabled, children and anyone recovering from an accident.”

Aging-in-place modifications can be as simple as changing the doorframes from 32 inches to 36 inches, or installing a comfort-height toilet with grab bars in the bathroom. The bathroom is an accident-prone space not only for seniors, but also for adults and families, and renovations can be done now to keep people out of the emergency room and safe in their own home.

Read more

Pre-CEDIA HIPAA Boot Camp in 90 minutes or less….

SIGN UP DEADLINE AUGUST 31st…There will be no extensions, so please make sure to sign up before the 31st!!!!

GrandCare Systems Presents:

pre-CEDIA 90 Min HIPAA BootCamp – Wed Sept 7th, 4-530p

Please join us before CEDIA at our 90 minute HIPAA Intensive!!!
GrandCare’s Security and Compliance Officer, Kristin Bayer, will be leading us in helping us to understand what exactly is HIPAA, why it’s important to you, how to become compliant and steps to get started.

When:

Wednesday Sept 7, 2011 4p – 530p Eastern Time

Where:
Indianapolis – Crowne Plaza Hotel: Historic Union Station

Cost:
$129 per person (GrandCare Dealer & AgeTek Member Discounts apply)

Why: According to new government regulations, all resellers/installers of tele-health devices (blood pressure, weight, pulseox, glucose, etc.) MUST be fully HIPAA Compliant….it is more than just the declaration. There are steps involved, policy/quality statements, etc. Kristin will tell us exactly what it takes!!!

MIXER/NETWORKING SESSION: Directly after, from 6-8p, you can join the GrandCare team and AgeTek Board members at the no-host pre-CEDIA MEET & GREET (location TBA).

To sign up, contact: info@grandcare.com or call us: 262-338-6147

Thanks and we’ll see you at CEDIA 2011!!!!!

Your friends at GrandCare Systems

Why wouldn’t available Technology be used for good?

I was inspired when reading this article http://www.itweb7.com/health/healthmonitoring-technology-helps-seniors-living-home/#comment-206084  Health-Monitoring Technology Helps Seniors Living at Home

The author discusses what seems like the obvious, technology actually does help seniors to remain independent at home. But, we need more articles like this showing that technologies have always improved our lives (as a whole) and why wouldn’t that be applicable to seniors too?
***Note that  technology can be abused (like anything else in the world), and should be used responsibly.
Since the beginning of times, enabling technologies have always entered, making our lives easier, better, faster and allowing us to become more connected (distance becomes less of a barrier). Can you believe that people weren’t really even actively using the Internet about 15 years ago? Now look at us today!! How fast the world changed!!! Disruptive demographics have always been followed up with enabling technologies. In the late 1800s, New York City had a problem of too much manure, and dead horses piling up city blocks. A blue ribbon commission was called in to “fix” this disruptive demographic. Their solution was that there is NO solution! In a few years time, they predicted that NY City would be many feet high in manure. Well, as we all know, that did not happen. A professor (Daimler) was in Germany coming up with the Internal Combustion Engine. This enabling technology came in as a solution! Today we are facing another disruptive demographic, the massive aging boom. Technology ABSOLUTELY will play a vital role as an enabling solution. But much like a car, the technology will do very LITTLE good without people (cue the drivers) analyzing and assessing the ADLs and tele-wellness as well as using the tech to connect to their elders and to promote long distance, virtual socialization. At GrandCare, we write the software and use computer hardware, but we say the smartest part of our system is the ‘Wetware’ and that is the person sitting in front of their PC, taking a look at the vitals, looking at the graphs, setting up the alert rules and sending the communications (TRUST THE WETWARE).

GrandCare Systems combines Home Automation, Activity of Daily Living Monitoring, Telehealth Assessment, Social Networking, Video Conferencing and Internet Communications into ONE comprehensive and simple to use system!!!!

www.grandcare.com / info@grandcare.com



GrandCare Team Member Awarded the FLAME Award for Innovation & Leadership at What’s Next Boomer Summit
What’s Next Boomer Business Summit is an annual event that brings together the country’s top businesses and organizations that are thought leaders in the baby boomer marketplace. It is where deals get done.




No other conference brings together a dedicated group of professionals focused on the boomer and senior populations. Together this group of thought leaders from the non-profit sector, senior advocacy organizations, Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups will share their knowledge and passion for this important customer demographic.


This year, the number of attendees surpassed 350, the most ever for this event.


The What’s Next 2011 Boomer Business Innovation Awards were presented during the awards ceremony and reception on April 28. Laura Mitchell, GrandCare’s VP of Marketing, received a flame award for Excellence in Leadership and Innovation, presented by Michael Carroll, VP, Portfolio Marketing, United Healthcare.


The next Mary Furlong event is June 15th, 2011 in Santa Clara, CA.  GrandCare will be in attendance and speaking on a panel session.  For more information: http://www.scuboomerventure.com/


Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit


What’s Next Boomer Business Summit

The eighth annual What’s Next Boomer Business Summit takes place at the Parc 55 Wyndham on April 29, 2011 in San Francisco. It is produced by Mary Furlong & Associates. It is affiliated with the American Society on Aging (ASA) Aging in America Conference, which is held April 26-30, 2011 in San Francisco. The theme for 2011 is Dynamics, Deals, Differentiation and Disruption. The focus of the annual event is to foster a cutting-edge community to explore and share products and services that will serve the needs and wants of the 50+ market. Registration and program information is available at http://www.boomersummit.com. Facebook page ishttp://www.facebook.com/2011-Whats-Next-Boomer-Business-Summit. Twitter username is WhatsNextBoomer. Twitter hashtag is #WNBBS2011. The 2012 What’s Next Boomer Business Summit will take place in Washington, D.C.


Mary Furlong & Associates

Founded in 2003, Mary Furlong & Associates (MFA) works with companies seeking to capitalize on new business and investment opportunities in the baby boomer market. MFA provides business development, financing strategy and integrated marketing solutions to entrepreneurs, corporations and non-profit organizations serving the 50+ market. Mary Furlong, Ed.D., the firm’s founder and CEO, has guided the offline and online 40+ market strategies of leading corporations and non-profit organizations for more than 20 years. Furlong is Dean’s Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business, and founder of SeniorNet and ThirdAge Media. Her book, Turning Silver into Gold: How to Profit in the New Boomer Marketplace (FT Press), was published in February 2007. Website: http://www.maryfurlong.com.


Full Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/4/prweb8351641.htm


GrandCare Discussed on Senior Care Corner Online Radio!
Note from GrandCare: Thanks Barry & Cathy and for including GrandCare Systems in your radio program! This is a great idea and I enjoyed listening to your thoughts!  GrandCare is customizable and fully expandable. We go from a more economic and basic model, to fully-featured, luxury models. Pricing starts low and increases (depending on the model chosen: interactive vs. non-interactive and the sensors deployed).  GrandCare is a complete communication, cognition and monitoring technology – designed to keep individuals safe, healthy, happy and independent at home. Using a series of wireless activity (door, temp, motion, bed, etc.) and telewellness (bp, weight, pulseox, glucose) sensors, a care-partner can automatically be notified if anything is amiss. Family can can connect by 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 fully enjoy the GrandCare System!  THANKS AGAIN and I am spreading the word on your radio program :)




<a href = “http://seniorcarecorner.com/scc-4-senior-home-technology-1#comment-541“>SCC #4: Senior Home Technology 1 </a>




senior digital home


In this episode we discuss technology that can help improve the lives of seniors in their homes and the peace of mind of seniors’ families.  We highlight some companies targeting the needs of seniors and point out where the consumer electronics industry misses opportunities with the senior marketplace.


Home technology is making a difference in the lives of most people and seniors are no different.  Technology can not only improve the life of seniors but enable them to safely and comfortably live in their homes long than before, even if they are living alone.  Senior Care Corner is following technology for seniors closely and this is our first podcast report.


The largest showcase for home technologies is the annual Consumer Electronics Show from the Consumer Electronics Association.  Our visit to the most recent showed the industry has a ways to go in targeting the needs of seniors with their products.  At the same time, there are a number of companies with technology products targeted to specific needs of seniors and their families… To read more: http://seniorcarecorner.com/scc-4-senior-home-technology-1#comment-541


They discuss GrandCare Systems, a few other in-home health technologies (Presto, Sonamba, Telikin) and the Connected Living for Social Aging: Designing Technology for All (an AARP report)




GrandCare Presents HIPAA Compliance Training, Sept 7th Indianapolis
CEDIA HIPAA Training Seminar:


When: Wednesday Sept 7, 2011  8am – 5p


Where: Indianapolis – Hotel to be announced


GrandCare Presents: 8 HOURS OF HIPAA Compliance Training


OPEN TO THE AGING/TECH INDUSTRY


Cost: $995 (includes 8 hours of training, training packet, refreshments, lunch and 2 drink tickets)


Discounts available to GrandCare Dealers& AgeTek Members


Refreshments & Lunch included in this day long session.


– WHAT is HIPAA?


– WHO needs to become HIPAA Compliant?


– WHY Become HIPAA Compliant?


– WHAT it takes to become HIPAA Compliant?


Led by GrandCare’s HIPAA Compliance Officer, Kristin Bayer.


Coffee Hour/Networking 8 – 9am




9a – 5p Training


530p – 8p GrandCare Mixer


Attendees receive 2 drink coupons for the GC Mixer (immediately following)


SIGN-UP BEFORE July 4th 2011 and receive a 20% discount


Limited Seating! Contact 262-338-6147 or info@grandcare.com


If you don’t get HIPAA compliance training through us, PLEASE get HIPAA training somewhere!!! 🙂




GrandCare’s VP of Marketing, Laura Mitchell, selected as Venture Boomer Summit Business Plan JUDGE
http://www.scuboomerventure.com/competitions/judges.html


Business Plan Competition!!!!!


PRIZES


Best Business Plan

$10,000


Best App

$1,000


Finalists will present their business plans to a panel of industry experts at the Summit on June 15, 2011 and the winners will be announced at the end of the day.


JUDGES


Leaders in the field of aging, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and industry analysts will provide valuable feedback on the entrepreneurs’ boomer business plans and apps. Check back soon for the list of judges participating in the 2011 event.


Finalist Judges


Andy Cohen – CEO and Co-founder, Caring.com

Andy Donner – Director, Physic Ventures

Jody Holtzman – Senior Vice President, Thought Leadership, AARP

Kurt Hulander – Platform Leader, Health Solutions, Best Buy

Nancy Kamei – Sector Director, Intel Capital

Xander Mahony – Analyst, Draper Fisher Jurvetson

Jeff Shoemate – Vice President of Innovation and Business Development, United Healthcare


First and Second Round Judges


Susan Ayers Walker – Managing Director, SmartSilvers Alliance

Laura Mitchell – Vice President, Marketing, GrandCare Systems

Michael Sarfatti – Managing Director, SmartSilvers Alliance


Two Brand New GrandCare Tours!
On May 11th and 16th Laura Mitchell of GrandCare systems hosted two brand new tours of GrandCare Systems both are recorded and available to view and download.


The first one is a step-by-step introduction showing us exactly what the GrandCare System is, a bit of GrandCare’s history and how it can be used to keep our loved one happy, safe and at home. She gives us an inside look at not only the touch screen, but also the caregivers side, GC Manage.


The second tour expands on the first and shows us how GrandCare can be used successfully in group living facilities as well as in private homes. Laura shows us the benefits of using GrandCare in these facilities along with some of the more advanced features which can take the system from a personalized touch screen to a fully featured and secure kiosk for multiple residents.


From the ATM like touch screen, to navigating the advanced features of the kiosk’s group set up; if you’ve been curious about GrandCare for personal use, a loved one, a possible business opportunity or even as an additional tool to use in an established group facility, now is your chance to get your sneak peak.


See these videos on Veoh


 – GrandCare Systems™: Private Home Demo


– GrandCare Systems™: Multi-Resident Demo


Download/View directly from WebEx


Private Home Demo


Multi-Resident Demo


Extraordinary Grands
Charlie & Gaytha Hillman: Grand Entrepreneurs


A solution for Great Aunt Clara became a thriving business


Charlie and Gaytha Hillman with their seven grandchildren


By Richard J. Anthony, Sr.


Charlie and Gaytha Hillman’s latest success story began with a nearly tragic furnace fire in the home of Charlie’s great aunt Clara back in 1993. Although she had sensed something was wrong, 89-year-old Clara, typical of older adults who live alone and protect their independence, “didn’t want to bother anyone.”


After rescuing his aunt and being shaken by her close call, Charlie put his MIT training and engineering inquisitiveness to work to come up with a solution. He outfitted Clara’s home with the nascent GrandCare product consisting of basic sensors and even a device to automatically turn on The Lawrence Welk Show, her favorite TV program. Although the technology was primitive by today’s standards. Clara was now safe, happy and  continue living independently at home for the rest of her life.


And Charlie began to imagine the possibilities.


Having sucessfully started technology businesses since the 1980s, the Hillmans returned after some years to the idea of innovating that early version of their monitoring system. Their innovations were so good and so timely that they were invited to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. In llate 2006 Charlie and Gaytha offically launched GrandCare Systems™ LLC for use in private homes and community care settings. Their mission? To provide high-end technology products and services to improve the lives of the aging and those who care for them.


 Read more


RECORDED TOUR of the GrandCare System!!!!


Did you miss today’s GrandCare Tour???  Below is some information that we went over during the TOUR!!!


Good news!  We have recorded it for your viewing!!!!!!! View and/or download HERE!


5-11-11 GrandCare TOUR Bus STOPS:


1. Meet the founder Charlie Hillman


2. West Bend, WI — Exploring the history of GrandCare


3. GrandCare Corp Showroom – Saw the various models and sensor types


4. Met Henry – a 72 year old male.


-Lives alone at Home


-Has the Interactive GrandCare System


– SKYPES with his grandkids


– Plays Solitaire on GrandCare


– Watches YouTube Videos, Checks Weather Reports, Looks at Photo Albums


– Manages his own wellness by taking his weight, blood pressure and glucose readings. System automatically tracks them.


– Does not have a personal computer and does not want one


5. Met Jane (Henry’s 50 year old daughter)


– Lives 8 miles from Henry


– Manages his vitals and looks at his glucose readings


– Receives Alerts at work


– Uploads all of her pics to Facebook (Automatically go to her dad’s system as well)


– SKYPES with her dad


6. Tour of the Virtual ONLINE Caregiver Interface


– Adding Communications to the GrandCare Screen or TouchScreen


– Looking at Graphs


– Setting up Rules/Parameters


7. Question/Answers