Tag Archive for: Telehealth Technologies

GrandCare Systems Announces Significant Investment in Professional Caregiving Sales Program

GrandCare Systems, a leader in the digital caregiving technology industry, is delighted to announce an increased emphasis and investment on a sales program directed towards professional in-home caregivers, long term care, and healthcare providers.  In order to build and maintain a strong and dynamic sales team, the organization has organized a robust outside sales program including territory directors and an inside sales team.

esther GCSAlthough GrandCare remains available direct to consumer through the GrandCare online store or on Amazon, the company’s focus is on professional caregiving organizations including non-medical homecare providers, home health providers, long-term care organizations, and newly formed accountable care organizations (ACOs).

“Moving away from our previous direct-to-consumer model, the mentality of this new configuration and strategy is to better align our inside and outside sales team to drive strategic growth and, in the end, better serve and support our aging population by arming caregiving experts with the best in innovative technology,” said GrandCare CEO, Daniel Maynard.  “The technology is affordable and has proven revenue success with professional caregivers, enabling them to offer extended caregiving services beyond the traditional hands-on care hours.”

GrandCare is designed to increase profit margins for non-medical and home health providers by allowing for new service models and helping to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions.

“Our home care agency has seen significant results using GrandCare technology, including patient and caregiver satisfaction, reduction of emergent care utilization as well as enhanced care coordination and education for the patient” comments Anne Major, Knute Nelson’s Vice President of Home Care and Hospice. “Our services span 26 counties in West Central Minnesota and GrandCare has allowed us to better connect individuals living in rural areas with health care tools that help to manage their care in their own homes.”

System Comp HR NEWOrganizations like Knute-Nelson also use it as a competitive advantage and a socialization connection resource for families.

“It’s a great way to feel like I’m in touch even though I am across the country from mom,” said a Knute-Nelson customer. Another chimed in “[GrandCare has] the ability to continuously receive current pictures from family and friends, from any computer to my mother’s. The GrandCare system has greatly contributed to my mother’s overall mental health. “

GrandCare Systems starts at just $699 and $49 per month for retail consumers and offers volume discount packages for professional caregiving, long term care, and healthcare organizations.

 

About GrandCare Systems:

GrandCare Systems, founded in 2005, combines digital health assessment, biometric readings, activity of daily living sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications into the most comprehensive and fully-featured technology in the private home market. GrandCare is designed for individuals seeking a caregiving solution for an aging loved one or for professional in-home, long term care or clinical caregiving providers. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com or call 262-338-6147

It’s time for your organization to GO DIGITAL

Join GrandCare Systems® for a 45 minute webinar

Thursday, August 14th, 2014  ¤  1:30 pm CT (2:30 pm ET)

CC Esther taking BPIf you are providing in-home care services, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity to learn how caregiving technology can improve your top and bottom lines, make your team more effective, more efficient and enable a larger geographic reach.

Using real case studies & examples, GrandCare will be hosting a webinar that will prove that you can save money, reduce staff burdens and stress, while securing new revenue streams.

Agenda:

  • The HUGE opportunity
  • What is GrandCare? 1 Stop Caregiver technology
  • Your New and IMPROVED marketplace
  • The truth about PERS and why it isn’t enough
  • Team-based approach
  • The GrandCare HomeCare Advantage
  • Office Staff advantage
  • In-home caregiver advantage
  • Client/Family advantage
  • Competitive Differentiation
  • GrandCare Implementation Story
  • Sally Roger’s story
  • Assured HomeCare’s GrandCare implementation
  • Cost vs. Profit: Return on Investment

Register Now

Featured Presenter:

Laura Mitchell, VP Business Development, GrandCare Systems

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems

Laura is a founding member of GrandCare Systems and was responsible for bringing GrandCares’s product to market in 2006, while aiding in the creation of the “Digital Health” and Aging & Technology industry. She specializes in channel partnerships, growth hacking, and non-traditional marketing and social media. She was featured in Forbes for her social media strategies and has been recognized by several industry media outlets, including Connected World Magazine’s 2014 Top Women of M2M, a nomination for the 2012 WEGO Health “Trailblazer”, 2012 Dealerscope’s 40 Under 40, 2012 “Young Turk of CE” by Custom Retailer Magazine, and the 2011 Mary Furlong Flame Award.

Laura speaks throughout the country at industry events and radio shows on Digital Health, Mitigating Hospital Readmissions Using Technology, Social Media, and Go-to-market Strategies in the Aging Industry. Venues include CES, Digital Health Summit, Mhealth Summit, M-enabling Summit, LeadingAge, AgeTech West, AARP, Connected Health Symposium, and others. She has authored several publications and whitepapers for industry magazines, internet publications, blogs, and books. Laura has consulted for major cable, aging service, and in-home care providers, and has mentored fellow start-up innovators. She was a key organizer in the early days of the EHX and CEDIA Future Home Pavilions, and created the first industry-wide Aging and Technology webinar series in 2008, which flourished for years. Laura was co-founder of the Aging Technology Alliance, an organization encouraging co-ompetition amongst the Aging in Place Technology industry.

 

What is GrandCare?

System Comp HR NEWGrandCare starts with a central touchscreen hub that acts as a source of information, communication, video chat and medication reminders. A series of telehealth and activity of daily living monitoring devices report wirelessly to designated care partners. GrandCare can be an opportunity for new revenues, a way to extend staff through virtual care services, and a method to reach more clients at once (a dashboard view allows an omniscient view of several clients at once). GrandCare can also be a bridge/opener to new clients that may not be ready for hands-on care yet. Rather than replace on-site caregivers, GrandCare enhances caregiving and offers a new model of delivery.

Technology helps seniors stay independent longer

We all want to remain independent as we age. But living alone can be difficult, if not dangerous, for seniors with declining cognitive abilities, including the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Even common tasks, such as preparing a sandwich, can be a challenge.

kare11There’s good news, however. New technology can help many people with mild cognitive impairments, such as persistent memory loss, stay in their homes a bit longer. Jewish World Review goes into great depth talking about the latest technologies that are helping seniors stay happier and healthier longer.

“There’s a tremendous demand for technological tools to help caregiving, particularly as baby boomers deal with elderly parents who may be living across the country,” says Tracy Zitzelberger, administrative director of the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology. The Portland-based Oregon Health and Science University studies aging and other health issues.

Here is a new technology to help keep a loved one independent and safe:

If Mom lives alone, you want to know whether she’s waking up and going to sleep on time, eating properly, showering and taking medicine. New systems allow adult children to monitor the everyday habits of their ailing parents.

Monitoring services will install wireless sensors in areas of the home that a senior uses most often, including the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. The sensors will track certain kinds of movement, such as when a refrigerator, medicine cabinet or front door opens. During setup, the service will study the senior’s normal pattern of daily activities.

System Comp 2Sensors installed by West Bend, Wis.-based GrandCare Systems (www.grandcare.com) issue a minute-by-minute report to a designated caregiver, who can view the information on a Web page. The sensors will note any changes in normal patterns. For instance, if there’s an unusual amount of movement in the middle of the night, or if the medicine cabinet doesn’t open at the regular times, GrandCare will send an automated message via phone, e-mail or text message to the caregiver.

The cost for a system is about $500 for installation and $100 in monthly fees for a one-bedroom apartment, says Laura Mitchell, vice-president of marketing. GrandCare doesn’t use cameras.

The service’s social component may be just as important to seniors who live alone. A touch-screen computer provides the senior easy access to popular online tools, such as Skype for two-way video chats, family photos on Facebook and family videos on YouTube. If the touch-screen user is a grandfather, for example, “he presses a button that says ‘Suzy’s dance recital’ and watches the video,” Mitchell says.

Michelle Spettel has been using GrandCare to monitor her mother, Esther, who lives alone a half hour away.

“She’s getting older and doesn’t remember things as well,” says Spettel, who lives in West Bend. Spettel goes to a Web page to track her mom’s daily activities.

“I know when she comes home, but it’s not intrusive. I don’t have to call her and say, ‘Mom, did you make it home safe?'” she says.

 

Information from: jewishworldreview.com

To read the full article CLICK HERE

GrandCare showcased on Lakes Area News

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9hhQPs8X9M?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

GrandCare Systems and Knute-Nelson were recently featured on Lakes Area News. Anchor Chelsea Nelson explored how technology is changing the way we take care of our seniors, often in the comfort of their own homes.

Knute-Nelson Home Care provides personalized health care to individuals in their own home. Services are tailored to meet the needs of each individual and are provided on a one-to-one basis. They use GrandCare in both home care and hospice.

GrandCare starts with a central touchscreen hub that acts as a source of information, communication, video chat and medication reminders. A series of telehealth and activity of daily living monitoring devices report wirelessly to designated care partners. GrandCare can be an opportunity for new revenues, a way to extend staff through virtual care services, and a method to reach more clients at once (a dashboard view allows an omniscient view of several clients at once). GrandCare can also be a bridge/opener to new clients that may not be ready for hands-on care yet. Rather than replace on-site caregivers, GrandCare enhances caregiving and offers a new model of delivery.

 

For more information on GrandCare visit: www.grandcare.com

 

Digital health is growing rapidly

While there are a number of growing markets in digital health, there are two that seem to be picking up speed with consumers and care providers: aging and wearables. With this growth comes more investor dollars and more companies wanting in.

As one of the most valuable market segments, boomers account for nearly $230 billion in sales for consumer goods and will control 70% of the nation’s disposable income in the next twenty years.   And with the wearables market projected to cross $8 billion by 2018, companies are taking notice.

Gain invaluable insight into the digital health market when a silicon valley VC leads an enlightening discussion with the consumer electronics industry’s authority on market research and the chief marketing officer of the leading caregiving technology company.

Digital health

Moderator:

Anne DeGheest, Founder & Managing Director, Healthtech Capital

Speakers:

Laura Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, GrandCare Systems
Kevin Tillmann, Senior Research Analyst, CEA

Tune into this 25 minute segment

System Comp 2This panel took place at the 2014 Digital Health Summer Summit. The team from GrandCare was there, showcasing the latest and greatest GrandCare System, designed for patient socialization and engagement, enhancing the patient experience, while enabling professional caregivers to turn their “man on man” caregivers into “zone caregivers”, providing better, more efficient, more cost-effective care.  Watch GrandCare’s chief medical officer, Laura Mitchell as she describes the shift in market traction and why our solutions should focus on the outcomes and not on the process.

The system is a vehicle behind a successful care delivery model, while putting the patient firmly in the center and emphasizing continuity and seamless transition throughout the whole care network (family, professional caregivers, healthcare providers, patient) and encouraging patient self care (chronic disease management), socialization with family and friends and virtual professional caregiving through HIPAA compliant video chat, medication prompting and check-in video visits.

GrandCare can better care delivery outcomes for:

– Professional In-home Care providers

– CCRCs without walls (Long Term Care Providers)

– HealthCare Providers (Hospital to Home Transitions)

– Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)

– Hospice/End of Life Care

 

To learn more about GrandCare Systems please visit: www.grandcare.com

To watch a short testimonial video click here.

 


   

Toshiba and GrandCare form a strategic partnership

Toshiba and GrandCare Systems to Provide Comprehensive In-Home Care Technology

Caregiving Technology Solution Enables Individuals to Remain Safe, Healthy and Happy at Home

HIMSS Conference & Exhibition Booth #5889

February 24, 2014 — IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE))–Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced a strategic relationship with GrandCare Systems, a provider of digital health and activity monitoring technology enabling better health outcomes for our aging population. Through this strategic relationship, GrandCare’s telehealth and communication capabilities provide a path for seniors to connect with families, professional caregivers and healthcare providers while being monitored real time on health and activity throughout the residence. GrandCare will be delivering all of this on secure, high-performance Toshiba devices.

“New digital technologies are transforming caregiving, allowing individuals to be independent, but still giving families peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe,” Patrick Mani, vice president of sales, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “Through our strategic relationship, GrandCare Systems will have the Toshiba tools to make this possible.”

“Our mission is to provide a cost-effective digital caregiving solution, enabling individuals to remain healthier and more independent, while empowering care providers with more meaningful, proactive and predictive data,” said Laura Mitchell, VP of Business Development, GrandCare Systems. “To achieve this, we’ve aligned with Toshiba to provide top-of-the-line, innovative tablet solutions to seniors, care professionals and medical providers, truly encouraging “point of care”, virtually anywhere.

GrandCare on the Toshiba Excite 7 tablet

GrandCare on the Toshiba Excite 7

The GrandCare System is connected to any dedicated Internet connection and communicates with wireless sensors throughout a residence. Designated caregivers log into the GrandCare website to send communications to loved ones, view activity graphs, access digital health and medication information, and customize automated rules and alerts. A caregiver may choose to receive a call, email, or text message if specified conditions occur, such as medications not being accessed, unusual motion throughout the home or other designated events. GrandCare’s simple touch platform also enables a resident to view news and weather reports, shared pictures and videos, receive incoming messages, video chat with family, listen to music and play fun games.

Toshiba and GrandCare Systems will showcase this collaborative solution on the Toshiba Excite 7 tablets and PX30 All-in-One desktops in Booth #5889 during the 2014 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition on February 23-27, 2014 in Orlando.

Connect with Toshiba on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/toshiba, on Twitter at twitter.com/ToshibaUSA and on YouTube at youtube.com/ToshibaUS.

More information on the Toshiba healthcare solutions available at www.toshiba.com/us/healthcare or 1.800.289.1400.

About GrandCare Systems

GrandCare Systems, on the market since 2006, combines digital health assessment, biometric readings, activity of daily living sensing, medication management, smart home automation, video chat and virtual touch-based communications into the most comprehensive and fully-featured technology in the private home market. For more information, visit: www.grandcare.com.

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of three business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide digital products, services and solutions, including industry-leading portable computers; televisions, TV/DVD Combination products, Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD products, and portable devices; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for computers; and IP business telephone systems with unified communications, collaboration and mobility applications. TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation. For more information on TAIS visit us.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Corporation

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba’s web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.

© 2014 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

Contacts

for Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.
Kaylin Slakey, 415-844-6234
kslakey@accesspr.com

for GrandCare Systems
Laura Mitchell, 262-338-6147
info@grandcare.com

LifeWise Renovations

Just ran across this great blog recommendation on GrandCare that we thought we would share.

Two Technologies For Aging In Place

By Katy Dodd

See the whole post by LifeWise Renovations

A team of my constituents and I were recently asked to look at the emerging technologies in aging in place and assess their feasibility for long-term use in the home.  There were two technologies that caught our eye: GrandCare Systems and the Care-O-Bot.

GrandCare Systems is a company based out of Wisconsin that has integrated all the different telehealth technologies into one system. The system connects to any internet connection and communicates with “wireless” sensors throughout the residence. Caregivers can log into the GrandCare website to send communications to a loved one, view activity and tele-wellness sensor information (blood pressure, heart, weight) and customize the automatic caregiver alerts. You can also use GrandCare for socialization, entertainment and communication purposes. Family can send pictures, emails, calendar appointments, voice messages, family videos and more right to the GrandCare System.  You can also play brain bender games, watch the news, listen to the weather, etc. See video.

As with most things, this technology is not for everyone. It does come with a higher price tag than most other systems on the market.  GrandCare does, however, come with more options than any other we have come across thus far.  It is also user friendly and does not require computer experience to operate.

The other technology that caught our eye is the Care-O-Bot.  I think it will be a few more years before we see service robots in the home, but they do offer a solution to the growing problem of not having enough workers to meet the need as well helping to alleviate some of the many issues faced by long term caregivers. The Care-O-Bot can help with dish washing, the lifting of objects, walking, getting up from a chair or bed, the fetching of items, and other basic tasks. See video.  

In a perfect world, I would like to see the two technologies come together and integrate themselves into one easy to use, affordable system (I will speak more on this later).  The reason I mention affordable is because both are relatively high priced. The likelihood that people will be able to afford these luxuries outright is relatively slim.  My suggestion would be to set up a leasing office where customers could apply a monthly payment (similar to a car leasing structure).  If you ask me, this beats paying the monthly cost of assisted living.  People go from owning a home outright to essentially having a mortgage again. This would be much less than a mortgage payment and would allow for one to maintain their independence longer.  It will be interesting to see how this market changes and grows over time, given it is still in its infancy.