Tag Archive for: home controls

GrandCare hailed as “Granddaddy of all Tech Tools for Seniors”

GrandCare was back on TV.

In a feature on ABC News 19 (WXOW in La Crosse), GrandCare was highlighted as one of five tools recommended to keep seniors living safely and independently in their homes as long as possible.

The segment, called “Making Technology Work for You,” which aired on May 3, described the technology available today to help seniors and people with disabilities live more independently and enjoyably as impressive. “As people are living longer, technology is only getting better.”

The segment featured Stacy Mitby, Service Coordinator for Western Wisconsin Cares, a nonprofit that provides long-term care services in the western region of Wisconsin, with the mission of  keeping members as independent as possible. It operates under a contract with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

One of the things Mitby liked about GrandCare is that, “it’s programmable, so you don’t need to go through an agency. It can alert your family or your friends, your support system, if you need help.” She also praised how easy it is to use. “It’s technology I can use, without having my children teach me.”

GrandCare was described as the “granddaddy of all tech tools for seniors.”

“The systems cost $699, plus $49 monthly subscription fees, but they pack in a lot of features. The GrandCare System has many of the same features you’d find in other tools, such as smart watches and medicine dispensers, plus it can be used in any setting and can record blood pressure, weight, pulse, blood glucose and temperature. It’s a communication, care management and activity sensor all wrapped into one touchscreen device.”

GrandCare Announces Certified Dealer Training in April

System2.pngGrandCare Systems announced today the re-launch of their platinum distribution channel by certifying authorized custom integrators, dealers, installers and other organizations. GrandCare will be offering a 2-day intensive training session on market opportunities, aging and health conditions, the competitive landscape, as well as complementary products and services. The training will also cover sales and marketing strategies and a deep dive into the GrandCare technology.  Participants will learn to successfully customize, implement and install GrandCare, while offering additional value-added services to help individuals remain healthy and happy at home.

Launched in 2006, GrandCare Systems is the pioneer in connected living and connected health in the private home. GrandCare is a comprehensive, fully tested and rugged system that combines social interaction with activity sensors and telehealth devices. Family members and other caregivers can monitor activity patterns, assess health readings, and send personalized messages and reminders to the GrandCare touchscreen platform in the private home.

If you or someone you know would be a good fit for the GrandCare distribution direct to consumer channel, we would like to hear from you.

What?
GrandCare Dealer Training

Who?
Anyone that would like to resell GrandCare technology and services

Where?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

When?
April 12th – 14th (Training begins at 1pm on the 12th and ends at 1pm on the 14th)

Early Bird Special: $1500 (register before March 15th)

Regular Training Rate: $2500

Additional rewards for previously authorized GrandCare Dealers

Details will be provided upon registration

[REGISTER HERE]

Preventing Senior Isolation

Green Bank, West Virginia, is arguably the most isolated place in the nation. A large telescope designed to monitor for signals from the universe requires a 13,000 square mile “quiet zone”, encompassing much of West Virginia and even stretching as far north as the Maryland border. In this “quiet zone”, residents live with no cellular telephone service, no Internet, no radio, and until recently, no microwaves. For the most part, the residents of this community are completely isolated. They have very limited means of communicating with the outside world. Today, seniors living outside of Green Bank, West Virginia are also feeling cut off and lonely. But why?

One could argue that our current population is the most connected it has ever been. People walking around with cell phones, tablets, connected wearables, bluetooth head pieces, and smartwatches are more connected than ever.  The difficulty is that technologies that support better communication are often complicated, daunting and rarely designed for the 65+ population in mind.

It could be a difficult leap for someone who has witnessed the rise and fall of the typewriter, for example, to be expected to set up and operate a laptop computer or figure out how to place a video call. “Technophobia” may be running rampant in senior housing, leaving loved ones with limited means for contact. It does not seem right that in this “connected world” we live in that one whole gaping generation is left in the cold, alone and lonely.  

Enter GrandCare Systems, a company created in 2005 to combat senior isolation and help keep families connected and provide “peace of mind”.  The GrandCare System was designed to be self maintaining and require ZERO technical know-how from the loved one. It simply works and seamlessly connects them to one touch video chat with family, friends and even healthcare providers. Pictures automatically populate the large GrandCare touchscreen from various family facebook photo albums. Family can login to the care portal from any mobile device or computer and send messages, reminders, schedule appointments, add to dos and check in to see if mom needs anything.  

Is your loved one lonely or isolated?  That’s not right. Let GrandCare help. Contact us.

Home Health Tech Launches Specialty Health Store

First of its kind, new website offers digital solutions for independently living.

Submitted to HomeToys.com on: 02/24/2012, 7:59 am

Home Health Tech by Home Controls has launched a fully-functional retail web store specializing in products that help the growing senior population live independently. The online store is at www.HomeHealthTechStore.com, and orders can also be placed by calling 888-220-7690.

Home Health Tech by Home Controls is the first store of its kind to provide high-tech products targeting the senior market, promoting the philosophy that a bit of technology can provide a safer and healthier environment. The products available at Home Health Tech are ideal for people living independently, their families, caregivers, health partners and care facilities.

“Home Health Tech by Home Controls is now a one-stop shop for a wide variety of simple digital products for our aging Boomer generation,” says Ken Kerr, President of Home Controls, Inc. “There is a great demand for these digital products to help seniors stay in their homes longer and live better and safer lives while doing so.”

Home Health Tech by Home Controls has partnered with some of the nation’s leading manufacturer’s to provide a comprehensive assortment of home health tech systems, covering digital health systems, safety and security, personal health, communication, cognition and more.

Featured product lines include caregiver assistance systems from GrandCare, amplified telephones from ClearSounds and Amplicom, personal emergency response systems (PERS) from Linear and LogicMark, personal health products from A&D Medical, medication management tools from MedFolio, MedReady and MedMinder, cognition tools from Dakim, and communication systems from Presto. Home Health Tech also offers remote controlled doors and windows, automatic lighting, sensor pads, wanderer alerts, flood and fire prevention systems, and much more.

“These products are state-of-the-art and very simple to use, helping those seniors who want to age in their own homes and helping their family and caregivers, too,” Kerr says.

In addition, Home Health Tech by Home Controls offers several programs for integrators and health professionals working in the independent living or aging in place markets. These programs offer special wholesale pricing, extended technical support, customized marketing support, system training, networking and more.

“Many integrators are looking to get into the rapidly growing home health tech market, but don’t know where to go for advice and products to fill the demand,” Kerr says. “Now integrators have a one-stop shop for information, marketing materials, and a wide variety of products aimed at the aging-in-place market.”

Announcements from Leading Technology Companies to Occur at Conference Highlighting the Imperative of Technology-Enabled Care for Older Californians

Please note that GrandCare Systems will be exhibiting at the AgeTech Conference in California on November 15th. We will be in booth 250
See the floor plan http://cahsah.org/educational_events/Expo/AgeTechExpoHall.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 3, 2011

Contact: Kristy Oriol

Tel: 916- 469-3383

Announcements from Leading Technology Companies to Occur at Conference Highlighting the Imperative of Technology-Enabled Care for Older Californians

Pasadena, California – November 15, 2011 AgeTech California, a joint initiative between the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) and Aging Services of California, will host California’s premier provider technology event – the Annual AgeTech California Conference & Technology Expo at the Hilton Hotel in Pasadena, California from 8am-5:30pm. Attendees of this conference will learn from leading experts about “Tech-enabled Care Management at Home: Our Future Imperative.” Experts will provide cutting edge information on technology-enabled care and business models that reposition wellness and health care in the place people call home, saving scarce resources while delivering the most satisfying products and services to older Californians. In addition, twenty industry technology companies will showcase their products and services in this intimate setting.

“As we age, our technologies can become even more valuable to us, but it is not about the next ‘gifted gadget.’ Instead, the most useful technologies will be those that present intuitive and unobtrusive solutions that foster connectedness while preserving autonomy and independence,” said Dr. Joseph Smith, Chief Medical and Science Officer at the San Diego-based West Wireless Health Institute. Dr. Smith will be delivering the closing keynote presentation.

Media is invited to attend an interactive lunch session where exhibitors will discuss new product launches and advances in eCare technology. Product announcements include:

· AOD Software becoming the first and currently only Electronic Health Record to be CCHIT Certified® 2011 LTPAC. This will advance the progress of Electronic Health Records to meet the achievements of other areas of healthcare like inpatient and ambulatory settings. This makes long term care well positioned to participate in the future of Accountable Care Organizations and interoperabilityAOD Press Release

· Dakim’s BrainFitness upgrade of their touch screen platform to showcase its award-winning brain boosting program Dakim Press Release

· GrandCare’s collaboration with CoroHealth, providing musical therapy for seniors GrandCare Press Release

The interactive luncheon interviews will be facilitated by Cindy Campbell, Associate Director, Operational Consulting of Fazzi Associates, and Tim Rowan, Editor of the HomeCare Technology Report. In a statement by Cindy Campbell, she discusses the necessity of affordable and accessible healthcare delivery systems supported by available technologies:

“Mounting levels of chronic disease represent an unmet and human need for care management. Within this need, there is a growing divide in quality healthcare delivery between the haves and have-nots. More than half of bankruptcies in the U.S. are being driven by healthcare cost, many of those in the insured population. Solving this problem requires affordable solutions. A clear and accessible path for today is to move care to the least expensive and least restrictive location – the patient’s home – whenever possible. Fully leveraging the existing expertise of home health and hospice providers and eCare technologies can result in more effective, less expensive, more accessible care”.

Tim Rowan goes on to say:

“Today’s elderly may express a strong preference to remain in their homes as they age and need more and more health care services but the Baby Boomer generation will demand it when they reach their 70’s and 80’s. Fortunately, advances in home-based healthcare technologies make it possible to deliver high-quality care in the patient’s home at a fraction of costs incurred at in-patient facilities. There is legitimate reason for concern, however, as private and government payers continue to be slow to acknowledge the superior care quality and net savings that accrue from the use of in-home “eCare” technologies. Forcing avoidable hospital admissions, which always follow when unattended conditions worsen, foolishly sacrifices long-term cost reductions for short-term savings”.

Beth Hennessey, Executive Director of Integrated Chronic Care with Sutter Care at Home will deliver the morning keynote presentation. She comments on the potential of technology driven care models for chronic care management:

“We advocate that chronic care management be the starting point of national healthcare reform by re-focusing home and community providers as an ‘army at the ready’, utilizing a proven high-touch, high-tech care delivery model. With the implementation of this model, homecare providers across the nation have successfully demonstrated positive outcomes in patient experience, quality of care, and affordability. Imperative to this model’s success is the integration of technology supporting the needs of patients, families, and providers across the healthcare system”.

Scott Peifer, AgeTech California’s executive director surmises that “Ultimately, such models are the future imperative for sustainable wellness, sustainable resources and sustainable aging services and home care organizations.”

The interactive lunch will be held from 12PM-1PM and media interviews will occur after the lunch in the expo hall and in the San Jose Board Room. Contact Kristy Oriol to schedule interviews, Koriol@aging.org, 916-469-3383. For more information on the conference, visit the event web site.

ABOUT AGETECH CALIFORNIA
AgeTech California was established to promote the use of advanced health and wellness technologies by aging services and home care providers throughout California. Its primary focus is on technologies that enable older Californians’ aging in “connected independence” with safety and security, personal health maintenance, successful management of chronic disease, early detection of illness, and prevention of acute episodes. Such technologies include telehealth, electronic health records, sensor telemonitoring, remote medication management, safety technologies, and cognitive fitness among others that enable eCare and personal wellness while enhancing caregiving and cost efficiency. AgeTech is a programmatic partnership of Aging Services of California and the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH).

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The Digital Home Health Boom – Custom Retailer Magazine

Wanted to throw this article out there for you. Written by one of our distributors, Home Controls, this article emphasizes why Digital Home Health is the market place to be in!  GrandCare’s VP of Marketing took some time with Jonathan (the author and Marketing for Home Controls) to speak about this industry and what it means to the dealers.  GrandCare is quoted in this article as one of the aging in place technologies.

Are you ready to expand into the aging in place market. Read this article to learn more….

http://digitaleditions.napco.com/publication/?i=86888

GeekBeat TV Reports Live on the GrandCare System

Geek Beat’s CALLY, Reports live from the CEDIA Tech House and covers the GrandCare System along with some of the sensors (medication dispenser, weight scale, motion/temp, etc).  She shows off the Rx Tender Medication Dispenser along with the GrandCare System (where all of the sensors report in)…. The GrandCare System   The GrandCare Medication Dispenser Rx Tender starts about 4:48 into the video….take a look!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_COkLs2jN5c&feature=player_embedded]

…

Tech in the Bathroom

The Seura TV Mirror is a TV with a mirrored surface, and the whole package is just one-inch deep. Audio Design Associates has a scale that is Bluetooth-enabled and will send notifications to your doctor if you gain 5 pounds in 3 days, for example (a sign of congestive heart failure). And this toilet can send you alerts if grandma doesn’t flush in 3 days so you can take her to the doctor.

Healthcare in the Bedroom

Again, there’s a focus here on seniors. A pill dispenser will automatically give the owner medication and it’ll beep to let them know it’s time. If the pills aren’t picked up it will send a caregiver an alert. A weight sensor on the bed will send an alert if the occupant doesn’t get up (or return) after a set number of hours…

To read the entire article, visit: http://geekbeat.tv/geekbeat-tv-260-cedia-2011-future-technology-pavilion/

Brand New GC Med Tablet Unveiled at CEDIA: GrandCare Systems booth 4754

GrandCare is thrilled to unveil our latest portable tablet – GC Med Tablet at CEDIA!
Once again, GrandCare is proud to again sponsor the Future Tech Home Pavilion at CEDIA: BOOTH 4754.
GrandCare will also be moderating several of the Home Health Technology Sessions and GrandCare’s VP of Marketing, Laura Mitchell, will be leading a seminar on the How-To’s of in home health technology sales.

Portable GC Med Tablet

The GrandCare System will be shown in 2 locations on the CEDIA show floor and there will be three GrandCare Stocking Distributors exhibiting and ready to answer your questions at CEDIA: Home Controls (4754), JNL Technologies (4754) and Worthington Distribution (430)

The Future Home will be displaying a GrandCare System HomeBase along with a full range of sensor options including motion, indoor temp, door, bed/chair, telehealth (BP, Weight, Pulseox), Stove/Appliance Monitor, RxTender Medication Sensor, Big Red Buttons and more… You will also see the brand new GC Med Tablet within the Future Home Pavilion.

The show floor is open Thursday/Friday 9a – 6p – Saturday 9a – 5p

If you would simply like a demonstration of the system, you can stop by anytime or shoot an email to any of our authorized distributors to arrange a personal meeting.
1. JNL Technologies (www.jnltech.net) Booth 4754
2. Worthington Distribution (www.worthdist.com) Booth 430
3. Home Controls: Home Health Tech (gcdealers@homecontrols.com) Booth 4754

– For a Full Listing of Home Health Tech Events led by GrandCare Systems at CEDIA: http://grandcare.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/mark-your-calendars-home-health-tech-events-at-cedia-2011/

– Meet The GrandCare Staff & fellow AgeTek members for an informal No-Host mixer on Wednesday Sept 7th, 6-8p Pullman’s Lounge, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 123 Louisiana Ave

See you in Indy!!!!

Tomorrow’s Webinar: “Nutrition & Fitness: Promoting Healthy Aging”

Just a friendly reminder…

Please join us for tomorrow’s webinar

Our Topic: “Nutrition & Fitness: Promoting Healthy Aging”

2pm EDT – 1pm CDT – 12pm MDT – 11am PDT

 Join us at: http://grandcaresystems.webex.com

 Or simply call dial-in: 1-408-600-3600   Pin 669 416 193#

Open to anyone interested in the aging & technology industry. Our purpose is to discuss relevant aging topics, showcase available technologies, network, and learn from one another.

Over the years good nutritional behaviors has gotten a little complicated to figure out…we’re going to make it easy for you! Good nutritional behaviors are not just about the food you put in your mouth.  It’s back to the basics with the ABC’s: Adequacy, Balance, and Choices. Don’t just “complete” (finish) your plate but learn how to make a “complete” plate a reap the rewards of a healthy diet.

Purpose of Presentation:

To focus on good nutritional behaviors

To learn the ABC’s of nutrition

To learn how to make a “complete” plate

For complete information on tomorrow’s webinar Click Here

Mark Your Calendars – – Home Health Tech EVENTS at CEDIA 2011

If you are interested in the home health technology market, then CEDIA is the place to be Sept 7-10th in Indianapolis.

Come for the exhibits, the educational courses & the networking. GrandCare is a sponsor again this year of the Future Home Pavilion and will be showcased throughout the CEDIA show  by Distribution partners, Home Controls, JNL Technologies and Worthington Distribution.

GrandCare will be leading three educational courses on Digital Home Health & the valuable dealer opportunities available in this emerging market. GrandCare is also coordinating a pre-CEDIA HIPAA boot camp session as well as a no-host networking session!   Mark your calendars now – – if you will be at CEDIA, you can’t miss THESE events!!!!!!

Wednesday September 7th:

2:00p – 3:00pm  ESCR039 Home Health Technology is Here to Stay…Are You?
Catalog #: ESCR039-10, Wednesday: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Convention Center
Room 241
CEU Value: 0.50
Moderator: Laura Mitchell
Panelists: Tom Morgan, Peter Radsliff, Jim Gleason
In an economy where markets are drying up left and right, there’s one market that we can guarantee will only grow: The Aging & Technology Industry. This year alone, 7,000 boomers will turn age 65, increasing the demand for a new and sustainable “aging in place” model of care. Delivered by a true integration expert, the solution combines standard home automation and smart home technologies—complete with wireless tele-medicine, brain fitness, and socialization features. Learn about the future of aging and technology, why you should get involved, and how to start.  A la carte fees: Early $49/$99, Regular $71/$121, Onsite $85/$145  Register:  http://www.cedia.net/expo/expo11.att.register.php
4:00p – 5:30pm Pre-CEDIA HIPAA 90 minute boot camp (hosted by GrandCare Systems)
 Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Crowne Plaza at Union Station, 123 W Louisiana St, Indianapolis (Room TBA)
Get trained by GrandCare’s HIPAA compliance officer on what HIPAA is, what is means to DEALERS, why it is REQUIRED of dealers reselling telehealth devices,  and what t takes to be HIPAA compliant. This seminar is Wednesday, Sept 7th 4-530p at the Crowne Plaza-Union Station hotel in Indianpolis.  
$129 per person (discounts for GC Dealers). To reserve a spot, contact info@grandcare.com OR call 262-338-6147
 
6:00p – 8:00pm Pre-CEDIA DEALER-TO-DEALER MIXER!!! 
Pullman’s Lounge, Crowne Plaza at Union Station, 123 W Louisiana St, Indianapolis
ALL ARE WELCOME!!!  FREE
Come meet the GrandCare Team and fellow AgeTek Members An informal NO HOST meet & greet at Pullman’s Lounge, Crowne Plaza-Union Station Hotel in Indianapolis, directly following HIPAA Boot Camp. 6p – 8p.  No RSVP needed, just meet us there! The GrandCare Team as well as AgeTek Board members will be there!

Thursday September 8th:

 9:00a – 6:00 pm Exhibits Open – – Visit the Future Home Pavilion Booth 4754 
 See an Exhibit Hall Map Here: http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?booth=4754&exhid=319054&show_id=cedia11&userid=&lang=EN&locale=EN
 Press may Schedule an appointment for a demonstration: info@grandcare.com or download our GrandCare Press Kit: https://www.grandcare.com/presskit/
 
 
11:00a – 12:00pm  ESCR047 Home Health Technology Case Study: A How-To Discussion
Catalog #: ESCR047-7, Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
CEU Value: 0.50
Indianapolis Convention Center
Room 231
CEU Value: 0.50
Instructor: Laura Mitchell, GrandCare Systems
We all know the statistics and can agree that technology and aging is the future, so now what? This
course takes you on a journey from choosing your home health technologies to promoting and
educating to sales and support. Prepare to see real-life case studies on how actual home automation
installers started their business, promoted, sold and supported this new caregiving network clientele.
Discuss why it’s not your ordinary sale and how you can be prepared for this brand new $20 billion
dollar market! If you think home health technology might be your next market, you cannot afford to
miss this rare opportunity!
A la carte fees: Early $49/$99, Regular $71/$121, Onsite $85/$145  Register:  http://www.cedia.net/expo/expo11.att.register.php
  
 
 Friday September 9th:
9:00a – 6:00 pm Exhibits Open – – Visit the Future Home Pavilion Booth 4754 
 See an Exhibit Hall Map Here: http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?booth=4754&exhid=319054&show_id=cedia11&userid=&lang=EN&locale=EN
 Press may Schedule an appointment for a demonstration: info@grandcare.com or download our GrandCare Press Kit: https://www.grandcare.com/presskit/
 
3:00p – 4:00pm  ESD010-4 Digital Home Health – The Technology of Aging in Place
ESD010
Catalog #: ESD010-4, Friday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CEU Value: 0.50 
Moderator: Laura Mitchell, GrandCare Systems
Panelists: Ken Kerr, Kip Meachum, Charlie Hillman
Get into the nitty gritty of the various technologies being used and integrated into independent living for
our aging population. Industry expert Laura Mitchell assembles a panel of manufacturers and ESCs to
discuss aging technologies, ranging from the Personal Emergency Response Systems (Think: “Help, I’ve
fallen and I can’t get up!”) to medication management, fall detection, Activities of Daily Living and
socialization/cognition. Anyone who wants to enter the home health technology needs to attend.
A la carte fees: Early $49/$99, Regular $71/$121, Onsite $85/$145  Register:  http://www.cedia.net/expo/expo11.att.register.php
 

Saturday September 10th:

9:00a – 5:00 pm Exhibits Open – – Visit the Future Home Pavilion Booth 4754 
 See an Exhibit Hall Map Here: http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?booth=4754&exhid=319054&show_id=cedia11&userid=&lang=EN&locale=EN
 Press may Schedule an appointment for a demonstration: info@grandcare.com or download our GrandCare Press Kit: https://www.grandcare.com/presskit/
 
 
 

What is CEDIA EXPO?

CEDIA EXPO is the leading tradeshow in the residential electronic systems industry. Attending CEDIA EXPO gives you an advantage over the competition by providing the latest technologies, FREE training on the latest products, and the industry’s best education with CEDIA University courses. CEDIA EXPO gives you the best strategies to profit in home entertainment, environmental control, energy management, green technology, home health, security, and more.

Register Now: http://www.cedia.net/expo/expo11.att.register.php

What is GrandCare Systems?

GrandCare combines ADL monitoring, tele-wellness assessment, senior social networking & cognitive assists into one easy-to-use system. GrandCare is highly customizable and can be set up to fit your needs exactly. There is no “one size fits all” model, so it’s easy to make sure each customer gets EXACTLY what he/she is looking for.