Tag Archive for: seniors

Activities for keeping elders busy

Top 3 Ways Seniors Can Keep Busy and Stay Connected While Self-Quarantining

There is no definite timeframe as to when the COVID-19 virus will have subsided and when it will be safe to spend significant amounts of time out in public again. Because people want to preserve their health and avoid public places as much as possible, people are choosing to continue to quarantine for the foreseeable future, especially the elderly.

The COVID-19 virus is unlike anything the world has ever seen, and because of that, people don’t know what to expect when it comes to what’s next in regards to this infectious illness. As people are taking the necessary precautions, specifically seniors, they are growing bored of sitting at home and doing the same thing they have been doing since March. In fact, an expert from a company that handles in-home senior care said that seniors are also beginning to feel isolated while self-quarantining. This post will detail the top 3 ways that seniors can stay connected while also staying entertained while in quarantine.

Ways for Seniors to Entertain Themselves at Home

Seniors are at the most risk of the COVID-19 virus so it’s important that they do all that they can to preserve their health, even if that means quarantining a little bit longer than the rest of the world. If you are a senior and are choosing to preserve your health by staying at home, here are three ways that you can keep your mind occupied while still staying connected to the outside world.

Utilize Video Chatting

Video Chatting is perhaps the best and easiest way for seniors to stay connected to friends and family while in quarantine. Video chatting can be done on a computer, phone, or tablet, making it easily accessible for seniors. Some ways that seniors can call friends and family include:

If you are a senior, you should schedule times with different loved ones as this will give you something to look forward to. Video chatting will also be beneficial to your life even after you no longer have to quarantine as it is a way to catch up with friends and family that don’t live close by.

Join a Virtual Book Club

Building off of the idea of video chatting, consider joining or starting a virtual book club. Virtual book clubs are exactly what they sound like, book clubs that meet online via a video chat. There are countless online book clubs that you can join, or you can start your own informal one. Consider calling friends and family, especially those that are also continuing to self-quarantine, and ask them if they are interested in reading the same book and meet once or a few times a week to discuss it.

Virtual book clubs will give you something to look forward to every few days and will give you the incentive to read- a great way to keep your mind occupied while stuck at home. Choose a book based on your personal interests so that you look forward to reading it.

Play Online Games

Many seniors never consider playing online games as a way to stay connected and occupied. However, online games are an outstanding pastime for aging adults who are trying to limit their public presence as much as possible. Seniors can play games on Facebook, on the internet, on apps, and even on various gaming systems such as PlayStation and Xbox. Some online games (or online versions of games) that are popular amongst the older generation include:

  • Words with Friends
  • Animal Crossing
  • Scrabble
  • Minecraft
  • Family Feud
  • League of Legends

Online games will keep seniors entertained since there are thousands to choose from, and they can also play against or on teams with friends and family. Seniors that are choosing to quarantine and are considering playing online games should consider playing with grandchildren. This will give them the opportunity to be able to bond with their grandchildren in a unique way and stay busy while doing so.

Staying Healthy While Also Staying Connected

It’s important to keep the mind occupied while quarantining, especially for seniors since they will likely have to quarantine for longer than the younger generation who is not at as much of a risk of COVID-19. Keeping the mind occupied will not only have a great impact on one’s happiness, but it could also positively impact a person’s overall mental health. If you are a senior, keep these suggestions in mind as you consider other ways to entertain yourself. Or, if you are not a senior but have a senior in your life, suggest these activities to him or her and try to be a part of them.

About the Author

Kelsey Simpson enjoys writing about things that can help others. She lives in South Jersey and is the proud companion to two German Shepherds and spends her free time volunteering in dog shelters.

Won’t You Be Mine?

Valentine’s Day is a centuries-old holiday, created in honor of St. Valentinus, who was imprisoned and martyred after performing weddings for soldiers who were not allowed to marry. It became popular in America in the 1850’s, as a day for celebrating romance.

This year for Valentine’s Day, instead of roses or chocolates, give the sweetest gift of all: communication, security, family connectedness, independence, socialization, wellness and peace of mind. Give the gift of GrandCare.

Because Valentine’s Day isn’t just about sweethearts. It’s also a nice opportunity to express your affection for the people most important to you. After all, caring for others is at the heart of what we do here at GrandCare.

There is no higher purpose, no greater calling, than caring for another human being. What you do for seniors isn’t just important. It’s the heart of what makes us human. We wanted to give seniors the tools to remain independent and in their homes. And we wanted to give caregivers the tools to meet the needs to the seniors they care for better.

We know it matters to you, too. So here’s a little love from your friends at GrandCare. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, your community, and your loved ones. Make it a sweet one!

Kiplinger Showcases GrandCare Technology to Help Seniors Remain in Their Homes

Kiplinger, a national financial news magazine, recently gave a shout out to GrandCare Systems in an article called “Technology Helps Seniors Remain at Home.” GrandCare was highlighted as a device to help seniors remain independent in their own homes.

“Most of us want to remain at home as we get older, but safety and health issues and social isolation can interfere with that plan.” The article praises GrandCare for being a technology that addresses both of those issues, and that enables seniors “to stay put indefinitely.”

The author specifically mentions GrandCare’s comprehensive health and wellness features. Using home health devices, such as blood pressure monitors, weight scales, glucometers, and pulse oximeters, seniors can take their readings at home, and those readings are automatically (and wirelessly) transmitted and recorded to the GrandCare System in the residence. Family members and caregivers can login in remotely to view the readings at any time, and identify trends. They can also set rules to receive email, phone, or text notifications whenever a reading falls outside of a chosen range, or whenever the senior forgets to take a reading. And they can take printouts of the readings with them to doctor appointments.

The article also commended GrandCare’s socialization and communication features.

“With an interactive touch screen from [GrandCare] Systems, you can look at a photo of a grandson’s Halloween costume or a video replay of his baseball home run. You can listen to music, play word games, read the news or surf the Internet. No need to know how to use a computer.”

The article quotes GrandCare customer Randall Schafer, 61, of Houston, whose 90-year-old mother has a GrandCare system in her home. Schafer said that he and his mother especially love the video chat feature of her system.

“‘My mom is in love with our dog, Daisy,’ Schafer says. Her ‘face lights up’ when she sees the schnauzer, he says.” The GrandCare system makes it so easy to do, that she can simply push a button to start the video chat.

Read the entire article.

GrandCare Systems debuts new website

You may recall that late in 2014, we announced our new brand logo, identity, and new color schematics as GrandCare Systems looked to modernize and give our brand an updated and refreshed look. Expanding on what we started, we are aligning our new brand identity to our completely redefined sales and marketing strategy in the hopes to better target our product solutions to the various customer markets we serve on our newly redesigned website: www.grandCARE.com.

Introducing: Our all new grandCARE program solution strategy featuring Professional Care, Community Based Care, and Family Centered Care programs. While our product and its capabilities haven’t really changed, what is different is the way we are presenting it to each of the individuals and organizations our product is designed to benefit.

“When I first came on board, I started to evaluate our website immediately, because it is the most highly visible sales and marketing tool we have. In most cases, our website presents the first impression we make to our customers. My goal when redesigning the site was to take the new branding and color schemes and build on those ideas by developing very distinct program solution paths for visitors to take based on their specific personal or business needs,” said GrandCare Systems Marketing Analyst, Amy Schwengels.

Who We Help_pg 1Selection Guide
Along with an all new look and feel to the site, the new website includes two new sections to help users decide which program solution is best for them: Who We Help and Selection Guide.

“We wanted to create a more straight-forward approach to how we engage visitors on our website. We feel that by creating the color-coded program solution paths along with useful selection guide tools, we are able to better communicate with our customers and make sure that they are able to find more meaningful content on our site,” added Dan Maynard, GrandCare Systems CEO.

Additional information, questions, or comments regarding the new website can be directed to Amy Schwengels, Marketing Analyst at 262.338.6147, or please visit www.grandCARE.com and drop us a line on our Contact Us page. A media kit and other marketing materials are available on our website.

How one man’s journey with dementia will change lives.

Sandy Halperin

Sandy Halperin

While recently speaking at the National Alzheimer’s Project Act Advisory Council meeting in Washington, D.C., Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Halperin, DDS talked about his life as a dementia patient. The outspoken advocate for the Alzheimer’s Disease Care and Cure cause, openly shared his daily struggles with the symptoms of the disease and its progression since being diagnosed in 2010. During his impassioned speech, Sandy talks about how he often requires the assistance of what he refers to as his “second brains.” Said brains taking the form of note pads, books and documents Sandy has authored over the years, his family memories scrapbook, the grandCARE system technology tool, and his loving wife of over 40 years, Gail.

What struck me most about Sandy’s speech is that save for a few brief moments of a lost train of thought, I wouldn’t have even thought he was a man struggling with the effects of such a disease given his poise and passion for speaking. Having experienced this first-hand, as my own grandmother suffers from late stage dementia, her outward appearance, cognitive, and physical capabilities are marked and noticeably different. She rarely speaks, remains largely confined to her bed in the nursing home where she resides, and her cognitive capabilities are virtually non-existent, as she no longer remembers me as her granddaughter or other close family members whom she has known for years. She is older, at 79 years of age, but her disease progression moved swiftly after receiving her initial diagnosis only a few short years ago. Unfortunately, by that time, she was already too far gone, to the point of requiring extensive care. 

The early warning signs were there, the simple daily forgetfulness of “where did I leave my purse?”. To the re-telling of a story we’ve heard for the umpteenth time. In retrospect, red flags should have been going up, starting probably 10 to 15 years ago. As with anyone, getting older often comes with its fair share of “senior moments”, at some point however, those innocent “senior moments” become something more.

Despite Sandy’s open acknowledgement and awareness that one day, he too may find himself in such a condition as my grandmother, his spirit, courage, and fight to be a vibrant and public voice of awareness for the disease is certainly inspiring. His voice is getting heard and his message on alzheimer’s is loud and clear, “care and cure”. CNN is currently following Sandy, filming a multi-chapter documentary on his personal journey, in a piece appropriately titled, “Sandy’s Story.” The world renowned, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, will also be following Sandy Halperin’s story on “Sanjay Gupta, M.D.“

Sandy's Story CNN

A brief excerpt of chapter one of “Sandy’s Story”, by Stephanie Smith, CNN:

“It is a horrifying, gripping, devastating disease that plays havoc on the family and on the patient,” says Gail Halperin, Sandy’s wife.

But, she says, what has softened the blow of Halperin’s diagnosis is the way he responded to it — at least after the initial stunned feeling subsided.

“He immediately came out and said, ‘I don’t want to cover this up. I want to share it with people and be proactive,'” his wife says.

Recent data suggest that such a response is rare: Nearly 13% of Americans reported experiencing worsening confusion or memory loss after age 60, but most — 81% — had not consulted with a health care provider about their cognitive issues, according to the March Alzheimer’s Association report.

One of the goals of the project is to achieve increased awareness, in the hopes that individuals and family member’s recognize the early warning signs sooner to increase the effectiveness of medical intervention, and even incorporate technology aids, like the grandCARE system, to help improve the patient’s quality of life and their ability to remain more independent.

National Alzheimers Project Act Logo

To learn more about this project, and how you may be able to help, please go to:
http://napa.alz.org/national-alzheimers-project-act-backgroun

HomeCare Magazine highlights grandCARE as an aging in place solution

HomeCare Logo

GrandCare Systems was recently featured in HomeCare Magazine in an article by Graham Miller about aging in place. Technology is transforming the way both aging populations and health care professionals view and manage health care, with the reality being that the best way to keep people out of hospitals and long-term care is through prevention. Digital health tools, such as the grandCARE system, can be the key to greater prevention and managing long-term health needs for seniors.

In the article, Graham Miller writes:

“Every day, tens of thousands of Americans are turning 65, and three factors—longer life spans, rising health care costs and aging baby boomers—are driving the growth of this demographic. An overwhelming percentage of these aging adults desires to stay at home, maintaining an active, independent lifestyle for as long (and as safely) as possible.”

“The Affordable Care Act has changed how both consumers and companies view health care,” says Dan Maynard, president and CEO of GrandCare Systems. “The cost of health care continues to rise, especially for the aging populations that require more frequent and longer-term health care monitoring.” A large part of the new legislation focuses on hospital readmission reductions and consequences for reactive versus proactive care, he says, and there are significant financial incentives for hospitals to actively work with Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) to reduce costs associated with patient readmissions. Products like grandCARE incorporate resident information and support, captured resident data and professional caregiving tools, encouraging everyone in the caregiving support network to work together to achieve true patient-centered care. “A path of a patient/provider partnership results in better outcomes for both the patients and the caregivers because it creates greater efficiency for the caregiver staff by allowing virtual care, which results in fewer at-home visits,” says Maynard.

Our product is designed to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes by enabling family members, caregivers and health care professionals to remotely care for an individual living at home. The system uses a large touch screen in the residence, which provides the individual with social communications, health care monitoring, visual daily reminders and medication prompts. The easy-to-use interface means that no computer skills are needed for the resident to engage in all of the touch screen features. The system also supports virtual video visits, telehealth device recording (which takes vitals such as wireless blood pressure readings, weight, pulse oximerty, glucose and thermometer readings) and remote in-home activity sensing.

We recently incorporated a new professional caregiver and user task management feature into the system, which allows the resident and caregiver to follow a daily schedule of tasks (such as medication administration, caregiver education, scheduled appointments, etc.).

Caregiver showing grandCARE user new task list feature on the resident's touchscreen.

Caregiver showing grandCARE user new task list feature on resident’s touchscreen.

“This new feature enhances the resident engagement aspect by giving the resident a daily to-do list and establishes complete transparency for professional caregiving organizations by providing a task list that is required to be completed during home visits,” says Maynard.

– See more at: http://www.homecaremag.com/aging-place/mar-2015/smart-home-solutions-aging-population#sthash.Hxk28Xpy.dpuf

Senior Tech on the TODAY Show: Including a Great Overview of the GrandCare HomeBase

Tech gear to help seniors stay independent

NBC’s The TODAY Show, Tech Today
Aired on February 06, 2013

Home Tech - Today Show

There are more than 40 million people age 65 and older in the U.S., and helping them remain independent and safe in their own homes has gotten much easier thanks to new assistive technology products. “Savvy Senior” columnist Jim Miller shares telephone systems, pill dispensers, and more.

Savvy Senior logoThe Savvy Senior: A national information service devoted to older Americans and the families who support them. Through a variety of media, Savvy Senior provides information and resources through its nationally syndicated newspaper column, senior newswire service, resource books, weekly radio program and television features on NBC, CNBC, CNN and Retirement Living TV.

Watch The Video Online

A Grand Idea: HelloAgain Challenge

Have any great ideas or wishes about how mobile technology can be improved to support and increase the independence of senior citizens?

Read more

“Redefining Communications in the Aging Space”

Join us for the Aging & Technology Webinar, Thursday July 19th
Featuring Nina Dunn, Elder Care Public Relations Specialist

2pm ET – 1pm CT  –  GrandCareSystems.WebEx.com
 Dial in at +1-408-600-3600 Access code: 663 366 368

“Redefining Communications in the Aging Space”

Today’s seniors are fundamentally different from generations before them. They have unique needs and desires; they are more active and independent; and they are also technologically savvy. As baby boomers begin reaching retirement age, these traits will become even more apparent.

For companies to communicate with this audience, it will be essential for them to realign their perspective — seniors no longer see themselves as rocking chair-bound grandparents, and neither should you.

 Consider this webinar as public relations 101 for the 50+ market.

Read more

Tennessee GrandCare Representative, Golden Age Technology, featured on KnoxNews.com

Home health technology is gaining ground, as more and more boomers and seniors learn about the possibilities these technologies can provide in ensuring the safety and well being of those who wish to remain independent in their own homes.

Wireless technologies can provide users with a means to record and track health information, such as blood pressure and glucose levels, as well as help keep track of advanced medication schedules, provide reminders and dosing information and contact caregivers if medications are not taken.  Communications now go beyond the simple email, often including video chat, Facebook feeds and YouTube videos.  Motion, door and bed sensors can be used to verify that all is well in the home, or to alert caregivers if something is amiss.

Golden Age uses technology to help seniors stay independent

www.knoxnews.com | Hugh G. Willett

 

“The graying of America continues to create opportunities for entrepreneurs who find widespread demand for solutions they developed to meet the needs of their own families.

Kyra and Jim Clements of Harriman founded Golden Age Technology after confronting the challenge of helping to care for her elderly parents.[…]

Golden Age uses modern sensor technology, including sensors for beds, chairs, bathrooms and kitchens. These sensors can detect and measure a variety of activities including motion, sound, temperature, timing and lighting.

A home network equipped with these sensors can determine where the occupants are in the house, whether they are in the bed or the bedroom, the bathroom or the kitchen. The sensors can also measure how long the occupants spend in one place and whether or not they have used appliances or lighting. […]

The sensors work with service providers including GrandCare and Close By, companies that can provide monitoring and communications for a monthly fee that varies from $40 to $80 depending on the type of service.”

 The full article can be found online on KnoxNews.com 

KnoxNews, May 22nd, 2012 at 4 a.m.
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/22/golden-age-uses-technology-to-help-seniors-stay/