Tag Archive for: Saga

Telecare Aware: A change of guard at GrandCare Systems

November 14, 2013 | By: Donna Cusano

This Editor has often referred to her former competitor GrandCare Systems as one of the ‘grizzled pioneers’ on the Conestoga Wagons of Telecare–even more grizzled than QuietCare (circa 2003-4) since their ur-system dates back to 1995-6, when it kept track of founder and CEO Charlie Hillman’s mother Clara. In the years since, the closely-held company has broadened its original telecare and activity monitoring tech into telehealth, socialization and home automation/monitoring into the most fully featured system in telecare/telehealth for older adults. Without making huge splashes, being beholden to VCs or moving from bucolic West Bend, Wisconsin, the company has grown through multiple alliances, the most unusual being home automation association CEDIA. GrandCare has a residential base of customers but has also developed a solid footing in senior communities both in assisted and independent living. Earlier this year, they reached into UK to partner with Saga and received the CE Mark for approval of its telehealth features for EU distribution.

The news is that they have a new CEO–Daniel Maynard, who is joining from the same position at Connecture, a software provider for health insurance comparison/enrollment (and exchange subcontractor in Minnesota, Maryland and Washington, DC.) Mr. Hillman will be moving to Chief Technical Officer, which may leave him more time for his work as a LeadingAge/CAST commissioner. Mr. Maynard understands early stage company growth, technology and healthcare well, since he has founded and developed several companies, including a predecessor to Connecture. 2014 may be an interesting year for news out of West Bend!

– See more at: http://telecareaware.com/a-change-of-guard-at-grandcare-systems/#sthash.JOO60inL.dpuf

High-tech home help: Saga Magazine, Fit for life

Saga Logo Original DNTAs the leading provider of products and services for the over 50s in the UK, Saga has long been aware of both the positive, and the more challenging implications of an ageing demographic.  GrandCare Systems® is delighted to have been chosen by Saga as their technology to help their over 50’s stay independent, and at home.  GrandCare was recently featured in Saga’s February 2013 issue of Saga Magazine. The story highlights how one family utilized the GrandCare System to strengthen their family bond and feel more connected and in touch, even though they were over 1,600 miles apart.  It discusses Saga’s entrance into the digital health market, introducing this visionary technology into the UK in 2013.

High-tech home help

Saga Magazine, February 2013, Fit for life, Pg. 86
Words Charles Laurence

A new touch-screen system arriving in the UK this year (courtesy of Saga!) promises to revolutionise old age. It helps to keep older people in their own homes for longer by enabling family or carers to keep a loving eye on mum or dad from afar. Here’s where it all began…

At about the time that Michael Murdock began to worry about his mother’s approaching old age, his eye was caught by a stand at a high-tech trade show. It was called GrandCare Systems. Murdock was in business fitting ‘smart’ automation technology to expensive homes – his was a company you called when you wanted to be able to set the swimming-pool temperature from your car, or watch the front gate with hidden cameras. Amid the gizmos and trade tools at the show, GrandCare seemed to be offering something a little different. ‘I thought “Wow”,’ he says. ‘Here was a company with the sort of technology I use, but adapted to help me look after my mom!’

Click here to download the full article: PDF Download

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Saga & GrandCare Featured on ITV

How technology is building a new old age

by Darren Burn: ITV News Producer

With 21 million people in the UK over the age of 50 – and with these figures expected to go up over the coming years – the need for care both at home and in hospital is increasing. Of more than 10,000 over 50s surveyed, 93% said they would much prefer to be cared for in their own home if the need were to arise.

Saga has just announced its partnership with US company GrandCare which make units specifically designed to enable the elderly to live in their own home longer.

The computers include sensors which detect if there has been no movement in a home for a defined period of time and will then alert a loved one or carer. The system can also recognize if the person has not taken their medication as well as take blood pressure and pulse readings, all the while updating families and health professionals.

The GrandCare System – which has been in use in the US since 2006 – uses a simple touch-screen interface which also allows video calling and games designed to keep the mind active. Saga has told ITV News that it hopes to release the first unit early this year.

Read the full article at: http://www.itv.com/news/2013-01-09/how-technology-is-building-a-new-old-age/

UK Home Care Provider, Saga at Home, Partners with GrandCare Systems to power home care services

CES Las Vegas, NV – (January 8, 2013) – GrandCare Systems® announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today, a partnership agreement under which Saga, the UK’s largest in-home care provider, will incorporate GrandCare’s touch-based digital health monitoring and socialization technology into their care service offerings.

This is a giant step for the remote monitoring industry as international player, Saga, shows the world how digital health technology could complement domiciliary care services for the over 50s.

“We are honored to have been chosen by Saga as their go-to-market technology for enhancing the 50+ services in the UK,” said GrandCare Founder Charlie Hillman, “the GrandCare technology takes away distance as a barrier to communication and care, benefiting our aging population with familial socialization and the connectivity of the Internet.”

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