Tag Archive for: video chat

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.

Mom Calls the GrandCare System “God-Send”

Touchscreen-based engagement and monitoring technology, GrandCare, enables communication between individuals and family members.

While we are no longer in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to threaten the safety of the aging and disability population. This is why it’s so important to keep these individuals connected to family, even when a physical visit isn’t possible.

We are always pleased to hear the personal stories of how GrandCare helps our customers. We recently heard from one daughter who, after being exposed to COVID, was unable to visit her mother at memory care.

“Almost done quarantining from COVID, and I wanted to thank you because having the ability to check on my mom daily with the GrandCare System has been priceless!” said Sharon Emerich, who uses GrandCare to check in with her mother and her caregiving team on a daily basis.

“She continues to be fine (thank goodness), but I was able to let her know why I haven’t been visiting and I was able to communicate quickly with caregivers also. Mom calls the GrandCare System a God-send and [my husband] Kirk and I agree!”

The GrandCare system, a 17-inch touchscreen, has family photos, streaming radio stations, old-time radio programs, games and medication reminders. Residents can check in on the system and video chat with designated family members. Optional motion and telehealth sensors can notify caregivers if something seems amiss.

We want to hear your story! If you’d like to share your GrandCare experience with us, please send us a message.

GrandCare - it's a gift from God

“It’s a Gift from God!”

I was so worried about my dad. He’s pretty independent at 78, but he struggles with a few health issues and a month ago he had a scary fall. He kept forgetting to take his medication and it’s dangerous for his blood pressure. I live 40 minutes away. I checked on him all the time, but he wouldn’t always hear the phone and it drove me crazy. That’s when we found GrandCare.

It’s a big touchscreen he calls his “window to us.” My kids message him and video chat right from the GrandCare app on their phones. I sent him pictures of our new house and I added some old nostalgic ones of him and my mom when they were younger. He doesn’t feel like he’s missing out on our lives, and my kids are a lot more connected with their granddad.

Dad thinks it’s phenomenal. It’s really helped with his depression. He’s smiling and laughing again. His favorite features are the weather reports and watching old shows on YouTube. And if he forgets to take his medication, the system reminds him right on the touchscreen. If he doesn’t see it, he’ll get an automated text message.

GrandCare reminds him to take his blood pressure every day, and then tracks it so I can be sure he’s doing okay. I have Dad bring the graphs with him to his doctor, too.

He’s still in his house. He’s still independent. And we all finally have some peace of mind.

My dad calls it a “gift from God.” I do too.

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift for your dad? For a limited time get $100 off your order.
www.grandcare.com, Discount Code: dadspecial20. Or call us 262-338-6147.

*For HIPAA and security purposes, names and identifying details in this story have been changed.

Telehealth Services Expanding Under Medicare

Exciting news! The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new ruling last week that adds telehealth benefits to Medicare Advantage plans. Previously, certain telehealth benefits were only available to seniors in Original Medicare, and only if they lived in remote, rural areas.

“Today’s policies represent a historic step in bringing innovative technology to Medicare beneficiaries.”

These new changes, starting in 2020, mean that patients will have the option to use telehealth to receive medicare care, and have it covered. What does this mean for GrandCare? Instead of being required to go to a healthcare facility for every service, seniors will be able to use GrandCare’s one -touch, HIPAA-compliant video chat on their GrandCare system to connect with their healthcare and clinical providers. It also means expanded access to telehealth services from providers who may practice in other parts of the country, and may not otherwise be reachable by the senior patient. This also enables medical homecare providers, such as the visiting nurses, to better access patients using telehealth monitoring tools and virtual check ins, without having the excess “windshield” time and cost of transport.

“Today’s policies represent a historic step in bringing innovative technology to Medicare beneficiaries,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “With these new telehealth benefits, Medicare Advantage enrollees will be able to access the latest technology and have greater access to telehealth. By providing greater flexibility to Medicare Advantage plans, beneficiaries can receive more benefits, at lower costs and better quality.”

With geographical restrictions lifted, CMS is ensuring that seniors in all parts of the country will have access to telehealth and telemedicine services. According to CMS, “These policies continue the agency’s efforts to modernize the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs, unleash innovation and drive competition to improve quality among private Medicare health and drug plans.”

GrandCare’s easy-to-use, HIPAA-compliant video chat feature has always allowed seniors an easy face-to-face chat with healthcare providers. GrandCare also uses Bluetooth wireless technologies for remote monitoring of vitals and biometric readings, and offers better medication management and compliance monitoring. With the new CMS ruling, GrandCare users will enjoy a new convenience, better and faster access to care, while being covered by Medicare.

Not just for seniors… grandCARE helps developmentally disabled too.

The grandCARE system remote monitoring and communication solution may have started by solving a need to help the elderly age in place, but it’s not just for seniors. Our product has shown to be an effective monitoring solution, as well as, a social and communication tool for developmentally disabled individuals, allowing them to live more independent lives.

13abc
Channel 13 ABC affiliate in Toledo, Ohio, recently featured a success story on how a grandCARE solution is being used as an in-home monitoring tool by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities to help individuals with developmental disabilities remain more independent.

http://www.13abc.com/home/headlines/Developmentally-Disabled-Learn-To-Live-More-Independently-297697701.html

In addition to remote monitoring and video communication functions, the grandCARE system’s simple touchscreen design can include easy one-touch access to a wide range of information including: Facebook photo sharing, Calendars, Task List Reminders, Messaging, Letters, Games, News, Weather, and virtually any website.

For even more added benefits, our system capabilities can include wireless motion sensor activity monitoring and digital medical device vital measurement tracking.

To learn more about how a grandCARE system solution can benefit your organization or someone you know, please visit our website at: www.grandCARE.com.

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