Today’s featured video is from CES Silvers Summit in 2010. Listen to GrandCare founder, Charlie Hillman, discuss his notion of “Senior Cyborgs: The Rise of the Machines”… Utilizing home monitoring technology enable and enhance the lives of our senior population!
ENJOY
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT6s7GHOGfA]
West Bend Daily News;Date: Feb 3, 2012;Section: Front Page;Page: A2
GrandCare Systems founder Charlie Hillman, left, recieves the Sterling Award from Jody Holtzman of AARP.
West Bend-based GrandCare Systems won the first Sterling Awards competition in the health and wellness category during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Sponsored by AARP, the Sterling Awards identify the best in technology innovation and product excellence for Americans age 50 and older. “We are honored to accept this prestigious award,” said Charlie Hillman, GrandCare founder. “We share the passion of AARP to forge a better future for our aging population and we are encouraged to continue developing innovation technologies that make aging and ‘healing in place’ safer, happier, healthier and more cost-effective.”
Founded in 2005, GrandCare is a pioneer in the digital home health care industry. The company currently has 12 employees, but Hillman said he expects that to grow as new subscribers sign up.
GrandCare offers a senior-friendly, Internet-enabled, touch-based system aimed at maintaining independence at home, instead of in an assisted living facility. The system, which costs approximately $99 a month, helps control chronic conditions, increases
compliance, strengthens family connections and reduces hospital readmissions, said Laura Mitchell, GrandCare vice president of marketing. It combines technologies to provide activity monitoring, medication management, wellness monitoring, video chatting and social connectivity into an interactive product that can be learned by any senior citizen, she said.
Laura Mitchell, GrandCare Systems vice president of marketing, addresses the crowd during the Silvers Summit awards ceremony.
The unit, which is essentially a touch-screen computer monitor on steroids, can monitor seemingly simple tasks – like lighting, temperature and appliance shut off – to complex ones, like wireless pulse readings, glucose levels and interaction with hand-held electrocardiographs. It also provides social interaction tools, like video chats with family and care professionals, as well as games, music, calendars and trivia.
The purpose of the inaugural Sterling Awards is to identify products that enhance, empower and exemplify the lifestyles of those 50 and older.
Award winners were chosen by a panel of judges from Aging in Place Technology Watch, AARP, Carnegie Mellon University, Care2, Compelling Telling, Continua Health Alliance, Mary Furlong and Associates, National Alliance for Caregiving, NPR Labs, PBS Kids Interaction, SmartSilvers Alliance and Vibrant Nation.
We know that baby boomers are a big group of people. We know that in a 3-month period over this last year, baby boomers spent an average of $367 online every month, more than double the amount of those ages 18 to 22 spend online. We know that the dollars spent on caregiving every year can easily beat the number of dollars spent on the average wedding. So, if there’s this market of moms and dads and grandparents and caregivers putting their hearts and wallets into these statistics, where’s the venture capitalists? Where are the tech blog journalists with their miniature cameras?
You might be surprised.
The Silvers Summit, held during the mother-of-all-tradeshows, the Consumer Electronics Show, has run for the past 8 years. In 2012, it doubled in size. It exhibited a wide variety of products, hosted 39 speakers talking about everything from gaming to customer service, and awarded an inaugural Sterling Award to five companies in five categories. It had a hashtag. Over just one day, 117,430 people on Twitter.com saw coverage of its exhibitors and quotes from its speakers.
You might have expected to see ClearSounds here – my father, at 59, is dependent on products like theirs after early hearing loss – but you might not have expected to see Sterling Award winner LiveMocha, a “language learning community.” I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul; given the time, I could join LiveMocha and not only take language lessons, but connect with others doing the same thing. Maybe I’d end up meeting a great travel partner; maybe I’d just get to practice my new Turkish with someone across the country I’ll never meet.
Much like the Nintendo Wii’s crossover appeal to older adults, Sterling Award winner AutoVerbal – aimed at helping kids with autism communicate with the help of pictures – has an obvious appeal for anyone struggling with muscle memory and vision. For caregivers, Sterling Award winner GrandCare’s all-in-one-sytem is invaluable – it’ll remind you to take your pills, could alert your caregiver that your blood pressure is out of whack, or – simplest of all – makes it easy for you to send your granddaughter a Facebook message. Made-for-seniors computing system MyGait, a Sterling Award winner in the “Entertainment” category, simplifies all that clicking into an easy-to-use PC system – and for our money, the best part is the keyboard. (It’s the simple things.) Check it out – big keys, bright colors!
Sometimes, great products for the aging are just well-designed versions of things we’ve known all our lives. In the “cause-worthy”
Posted on 01/11/2012 by Beth Carpenter // AARP Blog Author
The Consumer Electronics Show, held every year in Vegas, promises the newest, best, and the flashiest gadgets. New sparkly TVs may not quite make your lunch, but they will let you order takeout online; for $129, a robot can read your Facebook feed to you. (What? I’ve always wanted my friends’ political speeches and baby updates enunciated in robot voice.)
Robots and 3D TVs aside, what you might’ve seen at the Silvers Summit took all that gadgetry and reduced it down to something very simple: stay connected with your friends and family, live longer.
It’s no Facebook robot, but GrandCare‘s all-in-one system could remind you to take your pills, might alert your caregiver that your blood pressure is out of whack, or – simplest of all – makes it easy for you to send your granddaughter a Facebook message.
Made-for-seniors computing system MyGait simplifies all that clicking into an easy-to-use PC system – and for our money, the best part is the keyboard. (It’s the simple things.) Check it out – big keys, bright colors!
LiveMocha makes it possible for you to learn a new language with your friends – or meet new ones while absorbing those complicated Mandarin letters. Shiny gadget? Nope, but what if you met a few new friends while learning Russian together? We’ll take that over any shiny gadget.
As an OnStar rep aptly put it yesterday, “It’s not about adapting our lives for tech, it’s about adapting tech for our lives.”
That’s Day One. Tomorrow, we’ll look at smart fridges that know when you’re out of milk, smart washing machines that buzz your smartphone when they’re done, and smart fingernail clippers. (Maybe not the last one, but this is CES – you never know.) Stay tuned – you can bookmark all our CES blogs right here.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — In its first annual Sterling Award competition, sponsored by AARP, Silvers Summit organizers today unveiled the five category winners, Silvers Choice winner and Innovator Award recipient during its 4th annual Silvers Summit conference held here at Consumer Electronics Show.
Award winners were chosen by the expert panel of judges in the following five categories:
The top five winning entries were posted to the Silvers Summit website and Facebook page. The competition relied on social media to invite the public to choose their favorite among the five to select the “Silvers Choice” award. The people’s choice vote winner was GC Homebase by GrandCare Systems.
In addition, Silvers Summit producers chose Martin Cooper, chairman of Dyna, LLC as the first Innovator Award recipient. Known as the “father of the portable cellular phone” which he created in the 1970s while at Motorola, Cooper is a renowned innovator in spectrum management. He is widely regarded as one of the leading visionaries and inventors of our time and has spent most of the past five decades creating some of the world’s most important business and technological concepts and offerings. He is also an activist who seeks to shape public policy in the U.S. and globally having testified before various committees and serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee that advises the President of the United States on spectrum policy.
“We were thrilled with the response to our first annual Sterling Awards call for entries and we thank the participation of our expert panel of judges,” said Sherri Snelling, executive producer, Silvers Summit. “All of our Sterling Award winners – the companies and our Innovator Award recipient Martin Cooper – offer unique ways to enrich the lives of the 100 million boomers and silvers in our society today.”
“These award winners, and all of our excellent award entrants, understand the importance of a market that has huge growth potential over the next 20+ years,” continued Snelling. “We hope these annual Sterling Awards become a showcase for ways that technology can help us stay healthy, happy, and connected to family and friends, living in our homes longer, and making a difference in the world as we age.”
“By sponsoring the Sterling Awards, AARP recognizes and encourages the important role that innovation and technology play in the lives of people 50 and older,” said Jody Holtzman, senior vice president of Thought Leadership at AARP. “We applaud the winners, the judges, Silvers Summit organizers and especially the people who chose their favorite among the top winners. Innovation around technology is empowering, and it allows the 50+ population to live life ‘re-imagined,’ which is what we at AARP work toward every day.”
For more information about the Sterling Award individual winners, click here.
Click here for more information about the Sterling Awards judges.
The 4th Annual Silvers Summit at the 2012 International CES is where the thought leaders on aging and technology come together. The one-day conference addresses trends, innovations and strategies in the areas of social media, gaming, driving safety, mobile technology, universal design, smart homes and communities, and customer service addressing the largest and most influential demographic in our society today – Americans age 50+.
Follow Silvers Summit on Twitter for news and updates: twitter.com/silverssummit.
About Silvers Summit:
The Silvers Summit at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is where the thought leaders on an aging society and technology come together. The conference and exhibit assembles companies, distributors, journalists, research firms, and think tanks, to demonstrate the products and services that will help consumers age 50+ stay engaged, empowered and help enhance their lives. The Silvers Summit and Exhibition is presented by Living in Digital Times, producer of the following summits and exhibitions at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show: Digital Health, Fitness Tech Summit, HigherEd Tech Summit, Kids@Play Summit, MommyTech Summit, Mobile Apps Showdown, and Last Gadget Standing. For more information about The Silvers Summit, visit: http://silverssummit.com/.
DISCLAIMER:
AARP does not endorse or promote any of the Sterling Award winners.
The Sterling Award is produced by Silvers Summit, a property of Living in Digital Times, Inc. Silvers Summit and Living in Digital Times do not endorse or promote any of the Sterling Award winners.
Silvers Summit and Sterling Award are service marks of Living In Digital Times, Inc.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/544470#ixzz1jACLTMWe
Welcome to the Silvers Choice (people’s choice) in our first-ever Sterling Awards for the Silvers Summit at CES.
GrandCare has been selected as one of a few technologies to be nominated for the People’s Choice/Silver’s Choice Awards at CES, sponsored by AARP. We would love your vote! Please take a moment and vote here: http://silverssummit.com/silvers-choice-awards/
Vote your Silver’s Choice Award
The purpose of the inaugural Sterling Awards is to identify the peerless products (design, functionality, purpose) that enhance, empower and exemplify the lifestyles of the Boomer and Silvers audience.
All companies with a product or service that meets the following criteria may enter for a chance to be an award winner:
Product or service must solve a problem/issue and have relevancy for the lifestyles for those age 50+:
Product must enhance one of the following for those age 50+:
Awards will be given in the following categories:
The Sterling Awards are sponsored by 
.
GrandCare will showcase their innovative socialization, activity & telehealth remote monitoring technology at the Las Vegas Convention Center, LVCC North Hall Booth 3209. GrandCare Systems will be located in the AgeTek Pavilion, of which they are a co-founder, between the Silvers Summit and Digital Health Summit. This will be GrandCare’s 4th consecutive appearance at CES.
The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $186 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. CES is held every January at the Las Vegas Convention Center. CES 2012 will give even more focus on Digital Health and Aging in Place Technologies with the return of the Digital Health Pavilion & Summit, The Silvers Summit and the AgeTek (Aging Technology Alliance) Pavilion.
“The Digital Health Summit is privileged to bring together experts from the health, science and technology worlds, to share their wisdom and insight on the ideas that will be vital to health care’s future,” said Jill Gilbert, co-producer, Digital Health Summit. “Technology advancements are changing the way Americans manage their own health and wellness needs, from raising children to managing care for aging parents. In its fourth year, the Digital Health Summit will push the boundaries and encourage everyone – from manufacturers to providers – to think bigger, explore new topics, and challenge one another as we move forward in this fast-growing market.”
Digital Home Health industry pioneer, GrandCare Systems, will provide full demonstrations of their cutting-edge Socialization, Telehealth and Activity Monitoring Smart Home System. Attendees of CES will have the chance to video chat with the Wisconsin-based GrandCare corporate office, play fun games, complete wellness assessments, take vitals and understand why GrandCare is leading the way in the Aging/Technology Industry. GrandCare will be one of several innovative aging/technology companies under the AgeTek Pavilion umbrella. Additional AgeTek Exhibitors include: Presto, Dr. Marion, Vital Link, Independa, ClearSounds, Great Call, LifeStation, and Telikin.
“The need for tech-based solutions designed to serve our aging society is exploding,” said Peter Radsliff, co-founder and chairman of the Aging Technology Alliance, “AgeTek was formed to promote the awareness, benefits and value of our members’ products and services in this expanding category.”
The Las Vegas Convention Center North Exhibit Hall is open Tuesday January 10th until Friday January 13th. For more information on the CES Show, visit: http://www.cesweb.org/
GrandCare offers a senior-friendly, Internet enabled, private HomeBase touchcomputer system aimed at maintaining independence, controlling chronic conditions, increasing compliance, strengthening family connections and reducing hospital readmissions. GrandCare combines the technologies of smart home, activity monitoring, wellness monitoring, and social connectivity. The wellness aspect includes wireless physiological readings (weight, blood pressure, oximeter, glucometer), self assessment, and medication compliance with an associated medication dispenser, medication instructions, photos and prompts, specified medication rule sets, alerts, and congregate analytics. The social aspect includes one button Skype, pictures, emails, wellness videos, reminders, and other standard social media content aimed at reducing isolation, educating our loved ones, and influencing them to better self-manage their own health.
For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com
Press Contact:
Laura Mitchell
VP of Marketing
GrandCare Systems LLC
262-338-6147
Online Press Kit Available: http://grandcare.com/presskit/docs/PressKit.pdf
Silvers Summit Pre-CES Workshop and AgeTek Annual meeting Information
Sponsored by Silvers Summit, AgeTek, AARP & Best Buy
Date: January 5, 2011
Location: Mirage Hotel and Casino
Room: Montego A
Address: 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV
Workshop 1:00pm – 5:00pm (GrandCare’s Laura Mitchell speaks on the HOW-TO of Social Networking)
(Light Lunch will be available for registered attendees starting at 12:30pm)
AgeTek Networking Reception: 5:00 – 6:00 Montego F
AgeTek Annual Meeting: 6:30 – 8:00pm Montego A
Silvers Summit and AgeTek Combine Expertise;
Hosts Workshop on the Coming Silver Tsunami
World’s leading aging-focused technology consortium and conference educates companies of the value of creating products and services for today’s aging society
Silvers Summit @ CES will celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Aging Technology Alliance (AgeTek), a non-profit organization that promotes the awareness, benefits and value of products and services for our aging society, by hosting an educational pre-CES workshop. The Silvers Summit – AgeTek half-day education program will bring together unique industry expertise to show companies how to position products for boomers and their aging parents with take-always on how to reach this powerful and influential market through today’s social and mobile channels.
The fast-paced half day workshop, on the day before CES opens, will address a handful of unique market issues faced by companies intent on providing quality-of-life solutions for the older adult, but trying to reach the attention of caregivers and families who purchase or recommend these products.
Attendees will learn what works and what doesn’t, in branding and social messaging, how to get the attention of retail and advertisers who prefer a younger demographic, and explore the many facets of finding the right strategic partners in this industry, including:
Finding partner solutions that work.
Leveraging the retail, catalog and VAR channels to maximize presence and sales.
Knowing how to navigate institutional vs. private channels
Creating a compelling web experience.
Using social media to target your key audience.
Examine how today’s leading retail stores think about older customers.
Understanding your audience – who makes the purchase decisions and how to market to that consumer (i.e. talking to caregivers vs. care recipients).
It’s not too late to sign up – – ONLY $99 for AgeTek Members, $149 for regular attendees
Questions? contact Susan Ayers Walker at summitinfo@silverssummit.com or call 650-854-1146 (Pacific).
Going to CES?
GrandCare will be showcasing their communication, cognition, monitoring and wellness assessment technology at CES 2011 in Las Vegas, LVCC North Hall #2812. CES is Jan 6-9th.
We would love to see you there. Want to meet with us, just email info(@)GrandCare.com
We have just a few FREE show passes to CES left for our favorite friends, email us to find out more about that!!!
Laura Mitchell of GrandCare will be speaking on the Social Networking Panel at the Pre-CES workshop in the Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, on Wednesday Jan 5th from 1p-430p. More info here
Stay After the workshop for THE ANNUAL AGETEK Networking and Meeting! And after, brave souls will head to KARAOKE arranged by PRESTO!!!
Laura & Charlie will also be speaking during the Silvers Summit on Saturday January 8th at CES. More info here
HOPE WE SEE YOU in VEGAS!!!
West Bend, WI, 2010 – GrandCare Systems is scheduled to exhibit in the Aging Technology Alliance Pavilion (AgeTek) and speak in the Silvers Summit at the 2011 International CES on January 7, 2011 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, LVCC North Hall, BOOTH 2812.
The one–day Digital Health & Silvers Summit and exhibition of more than 65 companies will bring together healthcare industry executives developers, manufacturers, buyers, distributors, service providers, academicians, and more, to examine the fast-growing digital health industry, and take a look at the trends and technologies leading the way and explore its future.
“CES is shaping up to be the premier event for digital health,” said GrandCare founder, Charlie Hillman. “I am appreciative and encouraged by industry giants like UnitedHealth Group, who are leading the way with their presence and sponsorship in the aging and technology field.”
Industry leader, GrandCare Systems, will provide full demonstrations of Aging in Place Communication/Cognition/ADL Monitoring and Tele-Wellness Assessment technology. Dealer/Reseller Opportunities are available. GrandCare has been available for sale since 2006 and has dealers and resellers throughout the United States and Canada. AgeTek Pavilion participants include: GrandCare Systems , Presto, Bath Packs and Wellcore.
The Digital Health & Silvers Summit exhibit hall is open January 6 – 9, 2011) and will complement the one-day event and showcase today’s generation of companies addressing a variety of industry needs. Products and services highlighted include those addressing managed care, patient/doctor communication, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery time, lowered costs for health insurance, early prevention and detection, digital patient information records, medical attention over distances, and diagnosing and battling disease. Now in its second year, The Digital Health Summit at CES focuses on the growing market of consumer-based innovations that sit at the convergence of technology and healthcare. For more information about the Digital Health Summit, including agenda and list of exhibiting companies, visit: http://digitalhealthsummit.com/.
About GrandCare Systems
GrandCare Systems is a caregiving and communications TOOL, designed to enhance familial and caregiving relationships while giving Loved Ones and their Care-Partners desired “peace of mind”, freedom, dignity and entertainment.
Using a series of wireless Activity and Tele-wellness sensors, GrandCare can notify care-partners if anything seems amiss, while allowing loved ones to receive pictures, messages, emails, reminders, calendar events, family videos and more on a simple to use, interactive touch panel. The Loved One can play interactive games like solitaire and tic-tac-toe, check news headlines, see weather reports, listen to favorite music and even have 2-way virtual video visits with family…all without having to know ANYTHING about using a computer.
For more information:
Laura Mitchell
Director of Business Relations
GrandCare Systems
www.grandcare.com
laura@grandcare.com
262-338-6147
