Join us http://grandcaresystems.webex.com
See our full E-invitation HERE
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
Join us http://grandcaresystems.webex.com
See our full E-invitation HERE
Early-stage investors in traditional healthcare companies are certainly having a tough time these days. Many biotech, diagnostic and medical device firms have simply become too risky, as the current uncertain FDA regulatory environment increases cost and time to exit. In fact, venture funding for these companies fell during the fourth quarter of 2010 to the lowest level since 2003, and the number of deals dropped further in the first quarter of 2011, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
This overhanging “exit challenge” is leading many angel investors and venture capitalists to seek new types of investments – companies with lower capital requirements and faster exits. Nowhere was this quest more evident than at the 2011 Angel Capital Association Summit, a premier angel investor event, held last month in Boston.
During the event, I participated on the “Future of Life Science Investing” panel, where the discussion quickly left traditional life sciences and zeroed in on what is emerging as the next big investment opportunity arena: healthtech.
Don Ross is managing director and founder of HealthTech Capital, an angel investing group that funds and mentors early-stage companies in the emerging healthtech domain.
Healthtech companies use mobile, cloud, and other information technologies to increase healthcare delivery efficiencies and deliver consumer-centric applications. Unlike traditional “health IT,” healthtech companies target applications everywhere along spectrum of health and wellness—from in-hospital workflow to in-home monitoring to consumer wellness applications.
Healthtech markets are propelled by technical advancements, an aging population, and government regulations and subsidies to drive adoption of electronic medical records. And, although the FDA is turning its attention to healthtech, most companies in this sector are expected to face comparatively low regulatory requirements.
How big is the healthtech opportunity? Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) show that the U.S. spent $2.5 trillion on health care in 2009. Of this, 84 percent was spent on healthcare delivery, which includes costs associated with clinicians and insurance companies. In contrast, only 16 percent was spent on therapeutics, including medical devices and drugs. Although venture investors traditionally have put their money into therapeutics rather than delivery, the balance is shifting.
In fact, healthtech was a “star” topic at the recent J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, where panelists included Eric Schmidt, Google’s then-CEO, and other technologists not typically associated with health care. Further evidence of the shift in investor attention towards healthtech is the recent establishment of HealthTech Capital, the first angel investing group to focus exclusively on this space. Barely a year old, the group’s membership already is larger than many long-established angel groups and includes individual investors, VCs, corporate venture arms, and healthcare providers.
Healthtech is a complex domain, with several factors that can make or break a company. Existing contracts and relationships may have locked up a market segment. Standards of proof are much higher than in the tech world. Lack of reimbursement can kill a company. A sale often must address a multi-part customer with separate value propositions for the patient, doctor, hospital, and insurance company. Improving patient care alone is insufficient. One physician put his requirements for new technologies to me succinctly: “Will I get paid, and will I get sued?”
The Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit & Business Plan Competition is for entrepreneurs & venture capitalists who serve the baby boomer market. June 15/2011
This year, GrandCare’s VP of Marketing (Laura Mitchell) will be attending as a judge for the event.
This is another of Mary Furlong’s events and NOT TO BE MISSED! Just finished attending the “What’s Next Boomer Summit” last week in San Francisco! It was not only incredibly well organized, but fantastic speakers, panels and great networking! Sponsored by AARP, United Health Group, Continuum Crew, Southwest Airlines, First Street, Caring.com and First Republic Bank.
hosted by 
Register to attend: http://scuboomerventure.eventbrite.com/
Network with the leading venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, researchers, analysts and marketers addressing the needs of the 50+ demographic as well as key members of the media who report on aging, health, finance, technology and care giving.
Hear about the latest trends in the field of aging from key strategic partners in the non-profit sector.
Discover the latest in mobile and digital advertising trends; the newest distribution channels in the start-up world; and the tips and tricks that will help you grow your business.
“There is a consumer need for education about products and services for the aging, and how to qualify and access them; this is why we created the AgeTek.org site and blog as a hub to make all of these possible.”
The Aging Technology Alliance (AgeTek), the aging-focused consortium of home heath technology companies launches today its website, http://www.AgeTek.org, to support members and serve consumers seeking technology products and services which are senior-friendly and that will aid in aging-in-place.
The U.S. digital health market is expected to reach $5.7 billion by 20151. AgeTek recently formed out of the common goal of companies leading the development of new products and services for aging-in-place, to make it easier for family caregivers who need and want these solutions to find them. The newly-launched website, http://www.agetek.org, features a senior product finder search function to help caregivers find unique solutions to the challenges of helping family more safely and comfortably age in their own home, or for those who are interested in senior-friendly products for a loved one, especially during the Mother’s Day gift-giving season (http://www.agetek.org/mothersday).
Items in the product finder are segmented into categories: communications and engagement; health and wellness; safety and security; learning and contributions, and aging-in-place and caregiving.
Also launched simultaneously is the AgeTek blog (http://www.agetek.wordpress.com) written by a growing roster of contributing authors, including several AgeTek board members. The blog content turns a spotlight on the various aging-related issues being met by the digital health market, and the innovation in that space.
“With 13% of the U.S. population age 65 and older – a number projected to jump to 20% by 2030 – and the 85 and older cohort being our population’s fastest-growing age segment, there is a consumer need for education about products and services for the aging, and how to qualify and access them; this is why we created the AgeTek.org site and blog as a hub to make all of these possible,” said Peter Radsliff, CEO, Presto Services and chairman of the board, Aging Technology Alliance. “For members, the site supports the awareness, benefits and value of products and services of our aging society. We intend to evolve into the world’s leading aging-focused technology consortium; a mandate of no other organization.”
It’s an exciting week in San Francisco! The American Society on Aging & What’s Next Boomer Summit are happening Wednesday – Saturday!
GrandCare’s own Laura Mitchell will be speaking 3 times during the week. Below are some notable agenda items this week in San Francisco. Hope to see you there!!
ADD THESE GREAT EVENTS THIS WEEK TO YOUR ITINERARY:
TH495
Workshop – New Look at Technology for Older Persons
Felice Eckhouse
Gene Loeb-Aronin, PhD
Laura Mitchell
TH583
Workshop : Back Home To Stay
Friday
..The Eighth Annual What’s Next Boomer Business Summit Sponsored by AARP and AARP Services, Inc. Friday, April 29, 2011 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel San Francisco, California 7:00 am | REGISTRATION OPEN | COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS 8:00 - 6:30 pm | TABLE TOP EXHIBITS OPEN | BOOKSTORE OPEN 4:30 - 5:30 pm | BREAKOUT SESSIONS Maximizing the Online World Build an interactive tool box for marketing your business! From email to Google, Twitter, and what's in all worlds online to social media platforms, unlock the potential for your company. Our experts show you how to harness the power. Moderator: Laura Mitchell, Vice President, Marketing, GrandCare Systems Panelists: - Joe Cannella, Senior Account Manager, Google - Nataki Clarke, Vice President, Marketing, AARP - Stephen Chen, Founder, NewRetirement.com Hope you can join us!!!!! FULL What's Next Boomer Summit Schedule: http://www.boomersummit.com/agenda.html
Going to ASA? M Listen as Laura Mitchell, Dr. Gene Aronin and Joel Shapira discuss the future of aging. Using technology to “age in place”
Thursday April 28, 2011: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
2. Participants will identify resources for locating technology and give examples of technological devices and their sources, and innovations in new technology; state the benefits in bridging the digital gap to enable diversity in the availability of technology.
3. Participants will identify federal legislation and mandates influencing care of elderly such as remaining at home as much as possible, and coordination of caretakers and medical personal in sharing of information and roles and the practical effects upon the use of technology for care.
View the article in full from Benton County, MN News
LA Home Care, a home care provider, located in Sauk Rapids, is making an impact on area residents through use of The GrandCare System, a combination of Smart Home Technologies, Activities of Daily Living monitoring, Internet communications and Tele-Wellness, which supports an entire network of caregivers providing greater security and less social isolation.
Last fall, after partnering with Cybermation, Inc located in Waite Park, LA Home Care www.mylahomecare.com received $16,000 in funding from the Living Connected in Benton County Steering Committeewww.bentoncountyconnected.org to help make this technology available to area residents.
“Technology has been such a growing force in our health care system. Now is the time to make the technology affordable, easy to understand and easy to use for all of us,” said Leslie Ann, owner of LA Home Care. “The GrandCare System, I believe, has done just that.”
This technology, which is currently in five homes, serves three main purposes:
LA Home Care cites Dorothy O. as an example of someone who is benefiting from this technology and who has been able to stay in her home longer. Without this technology Dorothy O. would likely be in an assisted living facility. “We have used Skype to see her newest great-grandchild in Hawaii,” says Leslie Ann. “She has some medical issues that have greatly improved while using the GrandCare system. She likes the fact that if she is in need of a nurse she only has to push a button and I would receive a message saying she needed help. Of course for emergencies she continues to have the Lifeline pendant. I can monitor all movement in the apartment and that can be reassuring to family members who are only hearing part of the issue over the phone. Family members can also log into Dorothy’s computer and see the same information that I do. This makes a well rounded caring atmosphere.”
For more information about LA Home Care, Leslie Ann or this technology visitwww.mylahomecare.com or call 320-828-0802.
Living Connected in Benton County www.bentoncountyconnected.org is a project partner in the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities Initiative (MIRC). MIRC is a coalition of 19 statewide partners and 11 demonstration communities funded in large part through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The work of the coalition focuses on bringing the full promise of broadband technologies to rural Minnesota communities, businesses and people. Blandin Foundation serves as the project administrator. More about MIRC is available at www.blandinfoundation.org.
Read the article <a href = “http://www.co.benton.mn.us/News_Item.php?NewsID=59“> HERE </a>
ATTENTION: These Webinars NOW MEET TWICE A MONTH! The 1st & 3rd Thurs each month (Same time, same place).
We invite you to join in GrandCare’s Aging & Technology Industry Webinars.
All are welcome to join us! 1st & 3rd Thurs each month
Topic Description: Helping a Loved One Deal with Dementia
Dementia such as Alzheimer’s is scary, but let’s calm some fears. Seeing worrisome signs that point to a possible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be so frightening that many people avoid getting a diagnosis. There is always hope, and we are getting much better at diagnosing and caring for elders with dementia, as well as the families and friends who love them.
Take-away Points:
1. We will learn why diagnosis and education are crucial to the well being of loved ones.
2. Educators are getting better at helping families and elders cope with dementia, so we’ll learn ways that families cope so their loved one can still live a happy, comfortable life.
3. Even if the diagnosis is dementia, families are able to move forward to find the best possible ways to care for their loved one, as well as themselves.
Sponsored by “Love, Laughter and Mayhem” Author, Cindy Keith
