Tag Archive for: remote supports

DSPN Conference 2026 in Oshkosh

Remote Supports, Real Independence: Meet GrandCare and Vista Care at DSPN 2026

Remote Supports should do more than monitor for problems. They should help people build skills, make choices, gain confidence, and live more independently.

That’s the conversation we’re bringing to the 2026 DSPN Annual Conference in Oshkosh. Join disability service providers, advocates, and industry leaders from across Wisconsin for two days of practical ideas, innovative solutions, and honest conversations about the future of support services.

DSPN 2026 at a Glance

Don’t Miss Our Session

Beyond Traditional Monitoring: Why Person-Directed Remote Supports Are the Future of Care

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
1:00 p.m.
Henrietta

Speakers:

  • Hans Cabrera, Director of Operations, GrandCare Systems
  • Brittany Rewolinski, Technology Support Manager, Vista Care

Monitoring and safety matter—but they shouldn’t be the whole story.

True person-directed Remote Supports focus on the individual’s goals, choices, routines, and potential. The right combination of technology, in-person care, and remote coaching can help people develop new skills, take a more active role in their support, and experience greater independence without sacrificing safety.

During this session, Vista Care and GrandCare will share how providers can build a successful hybrid support model that expands staff capacity while improving the lives of the people they serve.

We’ll explore how interactive touchscreen technology can help individuals manage daily routines, make choices, build skills, self-coach, and communicate when they need support. We’ll also discuss how remote support professionals can move beyond simply reacting to alerts and become coaches, partners, and champions of individual success.

Because the goal isn’t just to keep someone safe. It’s to help them live a life filled with greater independence, confidence, purpose, and choice.

What You’ll Learn

  • What Remote Supports are and how they work
  • What to look for when choosing a technology platform
  • How to staff and operate an effective Remote Supports program
  • How to blend remote and in-person support successfully
  • Where funding and reimbursement may be available
  • How to measure improvements in staff capacity, cost savings, independence, and personal growth

Visit GrandCare in the Exhibit Hall

Want to see person-directed Remote Supports in action? Stop by the GrandCare booth for a hands-on demonstration.

You’ll be able to:

  • See GrandCare in action: Explore how the touchscreen, smart-home technology, and optional sensors work together.
  • Talk through your goals: Tell us what your organization is trying to accomplish, and we’ll help you think through possible solutions.
  • Learn from real providers: Hear how organizations in Wisconsin and across the country are using technology to address workforce challenges, expand capacity, and support greater independence.
  • Ask the practical questions: Let’s talk about implementation, staffing, funding, reimbursement, and what it really takes to launch a successful program.

We’re looking forward to connecting with providers who believe technology should do more than respond to a crisis—it should help people build the lives they want.

See you in Oshkosh!

RMS of Ohio Launches RISE Remote Supports powered by GrandCare

RMS of Ohio Launches RISE Remote Support: A Person-Directed Service Powered by GrandCare Technology

RMS of Ohio has officially launched RISE Remote Support, a person-directed service powered by GrandCare technology.

RISE combines assistive technology with trained RMS Remote Support Professionals, allowing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive real-time support while enjoying greater privacy and independence at home.

More Than Monitoring

RISE is not simply a collection of sensors and alerts. The technology provides personalized reminders, schedules, two-way communication, safety alerts and connections to remote staff. RMS professionals then provide the human response—offering reassurance, coaching, problem-solving and assistance based on each person’s needs and Individual Service Plan.

This approach supports more than physical safety. Remote professionals can help individuals manage routines, work through anxiety, make decisions, build skills and stay socially connected. As RMS describes it, RISE offers “independence without isolation.”

Hybrid Model

Of In-Person + Remote Supports

Traditional care places a DSP physically in the home, which is essential when someone needs hands-on personal care, mobility assistance, medical support or behavioral intervention.

Remote supports is ideal when an individual needs reminders, encouragement, routine coaching, safety oversight or occasional assistance that does not require someone to be physically present.

For many people, the best solution is a hybrid model: in-person DSPs provide hands-on support when needed, while RISE provides remote coaching, connection and responsive assistance at other times.

This model can help:

  • Reduce unfilled shifts and overtime.
  • Extend services into hard-to-staff areas.
  • Reduce unnecessary travel and on-site supervision.
  • Support more individuals with available staff.
  • Lower operating costs without sacrificing quality.

By combining compassionate human support with thoughtfully designed technology, RMS RISE is creating a model centered on safety, connection, independence and choice.

Learn more about RISE Remote Support and GrandCare Systems.

Technology for Independent Living webinar

Beyond Crisis: A Webinar on a Person-Directed, Choice-Infused Life

What if support wasn’t defined by four walls, staff schedules, or moments of crisis?

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, independent living means more than having a place to live. It means privacy, choice, connection, skill-building, and having a voice in when and how support is provided.

Person-directed Remote Supports are helping create boundary-less care—support that flexes around the person and is available when needed, without requiring staff to be physically present at every moment.

Technology can provide personalized reminders and coaching, connect individuals with trusted support staff, and add layers of safety while creating more opportunities for independence.

What You’ll Learn

Discover how Remote Supports can help your organization:

  • Reduce costs by minimizing unnecessary staffing, travel, and routine in-person check-ins.
  • Expand workforce capacity and serve more people with the staff you already have.
  • Shift from “just-in-case” staffing to “just-when-needed” support.
  • Give individuals more privacy, choice, and control over their daily lives.
  • Build skills and confidence rather than dependence on staff.
  • Create a scalable hybrid model that combines technology, remote support, and in-person care based on individual needs.

The goal isn’t less support. It’s smarter support—delivered at the right time, in the right way, with the individual firmly at the center and driving their own care.

On September 22, Paul Carpenter, Co-Founder of BoundaryCare, joins GrandCare’s Joe Donnelly, VP Customer Transformation at GrandCare, to share how organizations are reimagining care while empowering individuals to live more independently, confidently, and connected.

WEBINAR: Beyond Crisis: Technology for Independent Living
Tuesday, September 22nd
2 pm ET/ 1 pm CT / 12 pm MT / 11 am PT
Registration is now open >

About Paul Carpenter

Paul Carpenter is the co-founder and CEO of BoundaryCare. Paul spent over ten years working as an engineer at top technology companies until his own family’s experiences pushed him to tackle the challenges of caregiving head-on. At BoundaryCare, he applies the same user-centric approach drawn from his technology background to power his goal for making BoundaryCare the most inclusive and comprehensive solution for individuals, families, and providers.

About BoundaryCare

BoundaryCare is a wearable based platform that supports individuals’ independence and safety at home and in the community. It combines advanced alerting features – including fall detection, safe location tracking, and seizure symptom monitoring – with communication tools that connect individuals to their support teams with audio and video calling. BoundaryCare also supports skill building, employment, and activities of daily living through customizable multimedia reminders, workflows, and guides delivered straight to a person’s watch, allowing them to achieve more of their goals on their own terms.

Kansas expands Medicaid waivers for technology-enabled support

Kansas Expands Medicaid Waivers for Technology-Enabled Support on October 1

Kansas has expanded their Community Supports Waiver and creates a significant opportunity for technology-enabled support for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Starting October 1, 2026, Kansas will launch its updated Community Supports Waiver (CSW), creating a new Medicaid pathway for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who need support to live more independently. For providers, one of the most important changes is the inclusion of Remote Support Services and Assistive Technology as covered waiver services.

This represents an important shift in how Kansas can support people in their homes and communities. Rather than relying exclusively on staff physically present in the home, providers can use technology and remote staff to deliver support when and where it is needed.

What changes on October 1?

The Community Supports Waiver takes effect October 1, 2026, following approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in July. The waiver covers Kansans age 5 and older in the I/DD community who meet institutional level-of-care requirements but do not need continuous, 24-hour support.

The new waiver includes:

  • Remote Support Services
  • Assistive Technology
  • Home Telehealth
  • Personal Emergency Response Systems
  • Medication Reminder Services
  • Life Skills
    Personal Care Services
  • Respite
  • Individual Employment Supports
  • Home and Environmental Modifications
  • Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
  • Other services designed to promote independence and community living.

The waiver has an annual spending limit of $20,000 per participant. That limit applies across the participant’s CSW services, making thoughtful service planning and the effective use of technology particularly important for providers.

Remote Support is now a defined Medicaid service

One of the most significant changes is that Remote Support Services are explicitly included in the new waiver. This means that the cost for technology for remote supports, like the GrandCare Systems platform, can be paid for via Medicaid.

The concept is simple: remote supports technology can help staff and family move from being continuously present to being available when the individual actually needs support.

The GrandCare System can be used in homes Kansas describes the CSW as a program intended to make it easier for people to live independently at home and in their communities. Remote support can help make that possible by connecting individuals with support staff without requiring a staff member to be physically present at all times. This can also include sensors, communication devices and other tools that allow providers to understand when assistance is needed and respond remotely.

That can be particularly valuable for people who can safely spend portions of their day independently but still need access to support for specific situations, routines or unexpected needs.

Why this matters to I/DD providers

The change comes at a time when providers across the country are facing a difficult combination of workforce shortages, increasing costs and growing demand for services.

The Kansas CSW is specifically intended to provide “right-sized” supports for people who do not need 24-hour paid assistance. The state says the waiver is designed to increase independence, strengthen natural supports, promote competitive integrated employment and provide greater choice and control over services.

Remote support technology fits naturally into that model.

Instead of asking: “How many hours of staff do we need?”

Providers can begin asking: “How can we serve more individuals without increasing staffing and while keeping high-quality services?”

At GrandCare, we have partnered with I/DD providers to help enable them to provide a hybrid model of in-person and remote supports care. In most cases, For some individuals, the answer may still be in-person staffing. For others, it may be a hybrid of in-person and remote supports.

That distinction is important. Remote Supports is not intended to eliminate human support. Instead it can allow providers to deploy the right amount of human in-person support, more strategically.

The reimbursement opportunity is bigger than the technology

It is important to understand that Kansas is not simply adding a technology reimbursement line. The CSW establishes Remote Support Services as a covered service, while Assistive Technology is separately identified as a covered service. The state also lists both services among the benefits available under the waiver and means that providers should think about the opportunity as a new service-delivery model, not simply a way to purchase technology.

Technology can become part of a broader support strategy that may include:

  • Remote staff responding to alerts or requests
  • Two-way communications
  • Sensors that identify potential changes or concerns
  • Medication reminders
  • Video communications
  • Environmental awareness
  • Prompts and reminders
  • Support with daily routines
  • Escalation to family, caregivers or in-person staff when appropriate

The goal is to match the level of support to the individual’s actual needs.

What does this mean for provider economics?

The $20,000 annual CSW cap per participant makes economics especially important. Since the waiver can be used in individuals homes or in a community setting, DSP agencies who utilize remote supports technology may be able to increase both the quality of care and the total number of clients they serve, without adding additional staff.

For every technology platform, the support model needs to demonstrate why the service is appropriate for the individual, how it supports the person’s goals and how it fits within the participant’s available budget.

For more information on how to determine if remote supports technology fits into the CSW, you can find the CSW Screener Tool Calculator for CDDO’s on the Kansas Department of Aging & Disability Services website.

Providers should prepare now

Although the waiver does not officially begin until October 1, Kansas is already preparing for implementation.

KDADS is conducting provider training, developing the new person-centered planning process and preparing providers for the CSW rollout. Remote Support Services have their own provider qualification category, and providers must meet Kansas requirements to participate.

In addition, Kansas has announced new provider specialties for the CSW beginning September 1, ahead of the October 1 policy effective date.

Providers considering remote support should be preparing now by:

  1. Identifying individuals who may be appropriate for remote support.
  2. Evaluating where technology could safely replace or reduce unnecessary in-person staff time.
  3. Building remote support into person-centered service planning.
  4. Understanding the distinction between Remote Support Services and Assistive Technology.
  5. Developing clear escalation procedures for situations that require in-person intervention.
  6. Training staff to deliver support remotely, rather than simply monitoring technology.
  7. Tracking outcomes that demonstrate increased independence, safety, engagement and efficient use of staff resources.

What about Kansas’ aging population?

There is an important distinction for organizations serving older adults.

The October 1 change is specifically tied to the new Community Supports Waiver for people with I/DD. It is not a new October 1 remote-support reimbursement benefit for the Frail and Elderly waiver.

KDADS currently lists a draft Frail Elderly waiver amendment with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2027, separate from the October 1 CSW implementation.

A larger shift toward technology-enabled independence

The most important part of Kansas’ October 1 change may not be the creation of a new reimbursement category. It is the state’s recognition that people do not necessarily need a person physically beside them in order to receive meaningful support.

The Community Supports Waiver is built around a different approach: providing the right level of support for each person, helping people remain in their homes and communities, and giving individuals greater choice over how their services are delivered.

Remote support technology can make that approach possible at scale.

For I/DD providers, October 1 represents an opportunity to rethink traditional staffing models and begin building a more flexible combination of technology, remote staff, in-person staff and natural supports.

The result can be more than a different way to deliver services. It can give people more opportunities to live independently, develop skills and spend more of their day on their own terms.

Kansas is putting remote support into the Medicaid toolbox and creating an opportunity for providers to customize and expand their support offerings and bring the right support at the right time to more individuals in the I/DD community. At GrandCare, we are hopeful that more individuals can access the support that is right for them.

GrandCare provides better remote supports with reliable video calls

More Control, Fewer Interruptions, and Better Support During Video Calls

Whether staff are checking in with residents, coordinating with coworkers, or speaking with family members, every conversation deserves their full attention. With the GrandCare Systems video call feature, it’s easier to manage incoming calls, reduce interruptions, and keep conversations running smoothly.

The GrandCare Video Call feature allows you to:

  • See incoming video calls while already on a call
  • Choose whether to answer the new call or continue the current conversation
  • Use Do Not Disturb to silence additional incoming calls during an active call
  • Picture-in-picture and screen sharing let residents use their touchscreen without ending a video call
  • More reliable video calls

Stay Connected Without Losing Your Place

Care teams often receive calls from several people throughout the day. Instead of missing an important call or being caught off guard, staff can now see when another video call is coming in while they are already on a call.

If the new call needs immediate attention, they can answer it and switch over seamlessly. If not, they can continue their current conversation without interruption.

Keep the Focus on the Person You’re Helping

Some conversations should not be interrupted. That’s why we added a Do Not Disturb option for active calls.

With a single tap, staff can temporarily silence additional incoming call notifications until their current conversation is finished. We also removed the incoming call ringtone during active calls. New calls now appear as a quiet on-screen notification instead of interrupting the discussion.

The result is a calmer, more focused experience for both staff and residents.

Let Callers Know You Are Busy

Now a caller can know if the person they are calling is busy. A notification will pop up on the screen letting them know that the person they are calling is busy.

GrandCare remote supports video call busy notification

Help Residents While They Use Their Touchscreen

One of the most requested video call improvements is now available. Residents can minimize the video screen and continue using their GrandCare touchscreen without hanging up the call.

This gives staff a new way to provide hands-on guidance remotely. For example, a staff member can walk a resident through using the touchscreen while staying connected on the video call.

With screen sharing, staff can also see what the resident is seeing as they navigate their touchscreen. This can make it easier to provide step-by-step support and help residents build confidence using their device.

Picture-in-picture and screen sharing can be activated from either end of the call by selecting the minimize button. Residents can initiate screen sharing with staff using the On-call client or iOS and Android mobile apps. Staff can currently initiate picture-in-picture through the Care Portal website.

More reliable video calls with GrandCare remote supports

More Reliable Video Calls

GrandCare has also improved things behind the scenes that make video calls more dependable. Better timing during call connections and disconnections helps conversations start and end more smoothly.

Together, these features give staff more control over video calls while creating new opportunities to support residents as they use their GrandCare touchscreen, making communication even easier across the GrandCare platform.

GrandCare remote supports reporting just got better

Better Reporting for Better Care: GrandCare’s New Reports Make Documentation Easier Than Ever

Whether you’re documenting services for billing, preparing for an audit, or reviewing outcomes with your team, reports play an important role in delivering quality remote supports. For providers supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), reports are also essential for demonstrating compliance, validating services provided, and maintaining accurate documentation.

The latest reporting enhancements in GrandCare Systems make reports easier to generate, easier to understand, and easier to access even offline.

What’s New In GrandCare Reports Features

  1. Improved data, graphs, and summaries
  2. Reports now render offline, eliminating timeout failures
  3. Report history is saved so you can download reports later
  4. PDF reports have a cleaner, more modern design
  5. CSV reports can now be generated across multiple accounts

The GrandCare platform has had robust reporting capabilities for many years. That reporting is available at the Account level for a single touchscreen, at the Group level for an entire residence, and even the Distributor level to report on an entire organization. But now there are some significant enhancements.

Reports Include Better Data, Graphs, and Summaries

The first thing you’ll notice is that reports are simply easier to read.

Many reports now include improved graphs, visual summaries, and cleaner data presentation that help you quickly understand trends instead of sorting through pages of information. Whether you’re reviewing blood pressure trends, medication compliance, assessments, activity history, or wellness data, the updated reports reduce noise while highlighting meaningful data.

These improvements are especially valuable when sharing documentation with supervisors, case managers, families, or funding agencies. Clear visual summaries help everyone quickly understand outcomes and service delivery.

For I/DD providers, better reporting also supports compliance by making it easier to demonstrate services delivered, identify trends, and provide organized documentation during audits or quality assurance reviews.

GrandCare's new reports for linked health devices show a line graph to show trends.

Figure 1: The new reports for linked health devices show a line graph to show trends.

The GrandCare Assessment Responses report highlights the average response in the chosen time range.

Figure 2: The Assessment Responses report highlights the average response in the chosen time range.

Reports Render Offline for More Reliable Performance

Some reports contain a significant amount of information and can take some time to download. Once you generate a report, GrandCare handles the processing offline in the background so you can continue working in the system. When the report is finished, it will be ready to download without requiring you to wait on the page.

This makes generating larger compliance reports much more reliable, even when reporting across lengthy date ranges or large amounts of activity data.

GrandCare reports are run offline and can be downloaded easily by clicking on the Download Report button.

Figure 3: Reports are run offline and can be downloaded easily by clicking on the Download Report button.

Your Report History Is Saved

Instead of generating the same report over and over again, every report you create is stored with your user account. When you need it again, simply open your report history and download it.

This is especially helpful when:

  • Preparing for audits
  • Responding to funding agency requests
  • Reviewing previous documentation
  • Sharing reports with supervisors or clinical teams
  • Accessing reports generated days or weeks earlier

For organizations providing remote supports, having quick access to historical documentation helps support compliance while saving staff valuable time. Reports are saved for 30 days.

Clean, Professional PDF Reports

Grandcare’s reporting layouts are clean, organized, and presentation-ready whether they’re viewed on screen or printed for meetings, audits, and recordkeeping. Some reports, such as medication and task compliance, feature a data summary to help staff quickly find the information in a polished format.

GrandCare's remote supports dashboard report style is clean and features a summary for easy analysis.

Figure 4: The report style is clean and features a summary for easy analysis.

CSV Reports Can Be Run Across Multiple Accounts

Organizations often need information across an entire program, not just one individual.

CSV reports can now be generated across multiple accounts, allowing administrators to review larger datasets simultaneously.

This makes it easy to:

  • Analyze program-wide trends
  • Review compliance across multiple individuals
  • Perform quality assurance
  • Support billing reconciliation
  • Export information into spreadsheets for additional analysis or EHR reports
GrandCare reports can be downloaded into a CSV file across multiple accounts to be used in MS Excel or Google Sheets.

Figure 5: Reports can be downloaded into a CSV file across multiple accounts to be used in MS Excel or Google Sheets.

Built for Better Documentation and Compliance

Documentation is more than paperwork. It demonstrates accountability, validates services provided, and helps organizations continuously improve care.

GrandCare’s advanced reporting is designed with providers in mind by making it easier to:

  • Generate reports reliably
  • Access previous reports whenever needed
  • Review clearer summaries and visual data
  • Share professional documentation with stakeholders
  • Analyze data across multiple individuals
  • Meet compliance benchmarks with organized, accessible documentation

The result is less time spent managing reports and more time focused on supporting the people you serve.

If you have a question or suggestion on the GrandCare Systems reports or other technical features, please send an email to support@grandcare.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Remote Supports in Action: How RMS Enhances Independent Living

Remote supports technologies often prioritize safety and security, such as using sensors to detect overnight motion and alert a Remote Support Professional (RSP). While this function is essential, limiting remote supports to security alone overlooks their full potential to enhance independence, connection, and overall quality of life for people with disabilities.

It is clearly essential in moments of distress. But what if all they need is to tell someone about their fantastic day? What if someone wants to learn how to make spaghetti? What if someone just wants to check in and say hello? What if they just want to watch some funny dog videos?

While there are many remote support technologies available, RMS has embraced a platform that enhances people’s lives on every level. This helps people live on their own terms through the use of modern technology to empower independent living and to provide remote support to individuals with developmental disabilities.

Tools like GrandCare provide a less intrusive form of assistance which is available 24/7 while maintaining safety and independence.

Watch the video now:

Interested in how remote supports technology can enhance independence and daily life? Learn how GrandCare helps providers deliver flexible, person-centered remote supports.

We're Exhibiting! CCLN Annual Leadership Conference 2026. Booth 10. GrandCare.

GrandCare to Showcase Remote Support Solutions at the 2026 CCLN Annual Leadership Conference

The CCLN Leadership Conference 2026, “This is not a drill: React-Respond-Recover (repeat)”, will be held from Wednesday, May 6th, to Friday, May 8th, 2026, at the Paradise Point Island Resort & Spa. The conference will focus on practical strategies for crisis management, emphasizing immediate reaction, structured response, and sustained recovery. GrandCare’s VP of Sales, Joe Donnelly, and Laura Mitchell, CEO, will represent GrandCare at booth 10.

GrandCare Systems’ Reimbursement Success in California

GrandCare Systems is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in California. The utilization of GrandCare Systems’ remote support and technology platform is now eligible for reimbursement within the state of California through the Alta California Regional Center.

This crucial access to funding is provided under service code 051. This designation allows individuals and families served by Alta Regional Center to leverage GrandCare’s comprehensive suite of connected technology solutions, which are designed to enhance independence, promote safety, and improve the overall quality of life for users in their homes.

This reimbursement mechanism simplifies the process for regional center service coordinators to integrate GrandCare technology into an individual’s person-centered plan (PCP) as a vital support service. This advancement reflects growing recognition of the value and efficacy of telehealth and remote monitoring solutions in the evolving landscape of long-term care and disability services.

How GrandCare provides remote support solutions

The GrandCare solution can help individuals to be more independent and self supporting. Staff and family can use GrandCare to remotely check-in and provide supports in a more efficient way. GrandCare touchscreens are placed in strategic rooms such as the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen to provide direct access to care, two-way video or audio chat, task/med prompts and step-by-step videos such as brushing teeth or washing dishes. Optional activity, camera and health monitoring sensors can be placed to alert a remote caregiver if and when additional support is needed.

See us at CCLN Annual Leadership Conference – Booth 10

CCLN Exhibit Hall Schedule
Thursday, May 7, 8:00-4:15
Friday, May 8, 7:00-4:00

If you’re attending, don’t forget to download the Whova app! We have handouts, photos, videos and more for you to peruse. Use #CCLN2026 on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Can’t attend but want to learn more about remote supports? Schedule a consultation with GrandCare. We’d love to show you our platform, devices, caregiver portal, and answer your questions.

 

See more events >

Remote supports enable people with disabilities to live independently

How Do People with Developmental Disabilities Live Alone? A 2026 Guide to Independent Living

For many people with developmental disabilities, living on their own feels out of reach. However, with the right mix of supports, accessible environments, trusted relationships, and thoughtful technology, independent living is more achievable now than it has ever been. Individuals can live independently while staying safe, connected, and in control of their own lives.

As the disability support landscape continues to evolve, providers and families are asking an important question: what does successful independent living really look like?

The answer is not one-size-fits-all. Independence exists in many different forms, and the most effective solutions are flexible, person-centered, and rooted in dignity. National data show that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live in more independent, community-based settings report higher levels of choice, autonomy, and satisfaction compared to those in more restrictive environments (Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota).

Living independently doesn’t mean living unsupported. It means having the choice to decide where and how to live, while building support networks that respect independence. People with developmental disabilities may live fully alone, with roommates, or in shared housing arrangements, each offering different levels of structure and social engagement. They may use smart home technology, remote support systems, or no technology at all.

Despite these differences, the goal remains the same: the least restrictive environment where a person can thrive.

What Does “Living Independently” Really Mean?

Independent living for people with developmental disabilities is about autonomy, not isolation. It is the ability to make choices about daily life such as where to live, what to eat, how to spend time, while having access to the right supports when needed.

For some, independence means living fully alone with periodic check-ins. For others, it may involve shared housing, scheduled caregiver visits, or remote overnight monitoring. The structure adapts to the person, not the other way around.

Housing Options for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

People live independently in many different ways:

  • Fully alone in an apartment or home
  • With a roommate or housemate
  • In shared housing with individual private spaces
  • In community-based residences with flexible support

Each model balances privacy, safety, and connection differently. What matters most is that the individual has meaningful choice and control.

Accessible Homes

Accessible homes are the foundation of independent living. These spaces are intentionally designed or modified to support physical, cognitive, and/or sensory needs.

Features may include:

  • Simplified layouts
  • Adaptive kitchens and bathrooms
  • Visual cues and labeling
  • Smart lighting
  • Safety-focused design elements

An accessible home reduces barriers, increases confidence, and allows individuals to complete daily tasks more independently, building life skills while minimizing risk.

Shared Housing and Roommates

Shared housing or roommate arrangements offer a balance between independence and built-in social connection. This can be a great option for those who are not ready or able to live completely alone.

These models can:

  • Reduce isolation
  • Lower housing costs
  • Provide peer support
  • Preserve privacy and autonomy

Shared living works best when matches are thoughtful and supported by providers who understand individual routines, preferences, and communication styles.

Caregivers and Personal Care Assistants

Even in independent living settings, caregivers and personal care assistants play a vital role. They may assist with:

  • Activities of daily living
  • Medication reminders
  • Transportation
  • Skill-building

The key is collaboration. Supports should adapt to the individual, not the other way around. The right caregivers empower people to do more for themselves, not less.

When done well, support becomes a bridge to greater independence.

Smart Home Technology for Independent Living

Technology has become a powerful tool in supported independent living. Smart home technology and remote supports can provide safety, structure, and reassurance without being intrusive.

This is where GrandCare stands out. Designed specifically for aging and disability support, GrandCare combines passive sensors, customizable alerts, and secure communication tools to support individuals living alone. It allows caregivers and providers to respond proactively while respecting privacy and independence.

GrandCare can be adapted for nearly any set of needs, making it flexible for a wide range of abilities and living environments. Remote supports enable overnight coverage, wellness checks, and activity awareness, often reducing the need for in-person staffing while increasing safety and peace of mind.

Remote Supports and Reducing Isolation

One of the biggest risks of living independently is isolation. Technology should never replace human connection, but it can strengthen it.

GrandCare’s personalized touchscreen facilitates independence, safety and well-being enabling the individual to self direct and learn new skills. Connection is key to living a happier, fuller life while independent. Feeling connected means feeling supported which is essential to more successful outcomes.

Is It Safe for Someone with a Developmental Disability to Live Alone?

Safety depends on the individual, the environment, and the supports in place.

Successful independent living considers:

  • Daily living skills
  • Ability to recognize and respond to risk
  • Social and emotional needs
  • Availability of support
  • Home accessibility
  • Technology and monitoring options

Living alone may not be appropriate for everyone, and that’s okay. Independence is not defined by isolation. It is defined by choice, dignity, and the right level of support.

Independence Is a Team Effort

People with developmental disabilities live alone successfully when these strategies work together:

  • Accessible homes
  • Shared housing options
  • Caregivers
  • Smart technology
  • Remote supports

Most importantly, the individual remains at the center of every decision. There is no cookie-cutter answer. What works well for one person may not work for another.

GrandCare believes independence should never come at the cost of dignity or connection. For many, independence is the most empowering thing they can have.

With over 20 years of experience supporting people in their homes, GrandCare helps make independent living safer, more engaging, and more sustainable for individuals, families, and providers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Living for People with I/DD

Can someone with a developmental disability live alone safely?

Yes, when the right supports, environment, and technology are in place. Safety comes from preparation, accessibility, and connection.

What supports are needed for independent living?

Supports may include caregivers, accessible housing, remote monitoring, smart home technology, and social connection. The right combination of support is unique to each person.

What is the “least restrictive environment”?

It is the setting that allows a person to live with the greatest freedom while still meeting safety and support needs.

How does remote support work?

Remote support uses activity prompts, sensors, alerts, cameras, two-way video communication and integrated health devices to monitor vitals, activity patterns and safety. Staff can respond quickly without being physically present.

What technology helps people with disabilities live independently?

Smart home systems, activity sensors, reminders, and communication tools help individuals stay safe, organized, and connected.

About GrandCare

GrandCare has spent more than two decades helping people live safely and independently in their own homes. GrandCare’s platform blends remote monitoring, communication, and engagement into one secure system. It is trusted by providers, families, and organizations nationwide to support independence without sacrificing dignity or connection.

Want to learn more about supporting independent living?

Contact GrandCare for a demo and see how technology can empower independence without losing the human touch.

Choosing a remote supports technology? Here are the top questions disability service providers need to ask.

Choosing a Remote Supports Technology: Top Questions Disability and Aging Service Providers Should Ask

As the landscape of aging and disability support evolves, technology has become an indispensable partner in helping individuals live safely, independently, and happily in the least restrictive environment possible. But with so many remote supports options on the market—especially new ventures sensing the market opportunity —it’s crucial for providers to pause and ask the right questions before selecting their technology partner(s).

Keep People at the Center of Care

In this industry, technology is only as good as its ability to enhance human connection and dignity. Every decision should be guided by one principle: keeping people at the center of care. Remote support technology should empower, not monitor; connect, not isolate.

Privacy and Security: Non-Negotiables

When choosing a platform, data privacy and security must come first. Medical readings, activity data, and personal communications are deeply sensitive. Technology giants like Nest, Amazon, or Google thrive on data ecosystems that fuel advertising and analytics. Providers should seek partners who treat data as sacred, not as a commodity. That’s where GrandCare stands apart—protecting both the dignity and the privacy of the individuals served.

Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Remote Supports Technology

1. How long have you been doing this?

Experience matters. With over 20 years of proven success, GrandCare has been trusted in homes, senior living communities, and disability support organizations nationwide. We have been doing it this long because we believe in people over profit. Longevity means stability, knowledge, and a track record of integrity.

2. What would your clients say about your customer service?

Ask for references. Listen to stories. The right technology partner is one that’s there when you need them—with real people who care. GrandCare’s entire team is known for its integrity, honesty, and passion for helping their clients succeed.

3. Is my data kept private—and do third parties have access?

Cameras, sensors and home assistants from large tech conglomerates may not be ensuring that all data is fully private and secure. GrandCare adheres to all HIPAA regulations with a closed and encrypted ecosystem to ensure client data is stored privately, safely and securely.

4. What online training resources are available?

A platform is only effective if people are properly using it. Ask about training tools, onsite onboarding programs, and ongoing support. GrandCare provides comprehensive, on-demand training and a responsive support desk every day including on-call weekend hours.

5. How do I get client buy-in?

Make sure there are benefits for the individual being supported. Socialization, connection and access to secure online entertainment is a human right that shouldn’t depend on ability. GrandCare puts the person at the center with a customized touchscreen complete with their favorite videos, music, photos and white listed, secure video chat and messaging access to designated individuals.

6. Who profits if your company does well (how are you funded)?

It’s important to understand whether the company’s primary goal is profit—or people. VC-backed organizations answer to venture share holders. Privately held organizations like GrandCare answer to the client with a focus on ethical service and long term sustainability.

7. Do you have APIs for integration?

Integration ensures that data and communication flow seamlessly across systems with one interactive dashboard. GrandCare’s robust APIs allow for interoperability with other care systems, ensuring smooth operations for providers and better outcomes for clients.

Activity monitoring and remote supports for individuals with disabilities

Why GrandCare Is the Right Choice for Remote Supports

When choosing a technology partner, remember: you’re not just selecting a technology company—you’re choosing the people behind it. Ethically, fiscally, and practically—GrandCare stands apart. For more than two decades, GrandCare has been trusted in homes of thousands of older adults and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Want to learn more? Contact us for a demo.