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GrandCare Making a difference for those wanting to live in their homes longer

This piece was recently modifed to correct a few specifics about Grand Care compliments of Grand Care!

A recent news piece from Cold Spring Minnesota shows first hand the difference that GrandCare can make for those who wish to live independently and their families who may live a distance away.

GrandCare monitors health and the taking of medication but some would argue that keeping them in communication with their loved ones is as important...for better emotional health.

One touch to Skype can make a monumental difference.

GrandCare helps give families peace of mind by the way it is able to remotely monitor daily activities with sensors that detect and report both ususal AND unusual activities for families and caregivers...:

When pills are taken (or not taken)
When a door is opened or not opened (like a fridge)
When there is irregular activity (like getting out of bed during the middle of the night and Not getting back in ...or Not getting out of a chair)
When there is more frequent or less frequent movement than normal (like wandering at night).


GrandCare monitoring costs around $100/month. Installation averages around $2,500 - $3,500 depending upon the extent of the health and wellness devices that are required. Leasing options are available.

See the quick video below for a first hand look at one family's how GrandCare makes a difference for one family:
Kare11 News Piece on GrandCare & New-technology-keeping-aging-relatives-in-their-homes-longer

Video 2012 by KARE

The future of aging….with Technology

It’s a global issue. Rising healthcare costs, looming age wave, increasing longevity bringing multiple illnesses and forgetfulness alongside older adult children who are sandwiched between aging parents and their own adult children and grandchildren. As a result, the way we care for our parents today will not scale with the same level of care, to meet tomorrow’s needs without the use of technology.  

Technology solutions offer the answer to improve both the quality of care and a way to keep health care costs from rising out of reach.   Our generation is used to using Technology in many facets of our lives already  by way of email, internet, cell phones, music, online shopping etc... 

So now is the time to advocate for technology to transform the future for an aging population and now is the time to investigate the exciting technologies that already exist on the market. New health and wellness technologies will continue to be developed to offer the potential of dramatically improving the quality of care we can provide and the cost of providing that care. However, the right vision, the right leadership, a certain amount of pressure to obtain the right commitment from government to prepare needs to be in place.

Leading Age is a US association of some 5,400 non profit organizations and 38 State partners in the US along with hundreds of businesses, research partners and consumer organizations that recognize the need for advocacy, leadership development, research, promotion, hospice care, additional community services and housing and technology solutions  and research. They Inspire, Serve, Advocate and Acknowledge their members.

These are 2 of the videos from Leading Age on the Future of Aging

The Future of Aging-One Family at a time

How to transorm an aging nation

Helping Seniors go digital makes ROI sense and is becoming imperative

A session presented at the American Society on Aging Conference, "Aging in America 2012" in Washington, DC, yesterday by the President of the Alliance for Aging in Miami, Florida suggests that Technology will make seniors more empowered as citizens.

Max Rothman, JD, LLM and his organization the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. AAA is a nationwide network of State and local programs that help older people to plan and care for their life long needs.

Their AAA pilot program demonstrated how well seniors adapt to digital technology, under the right parameters and their program also showed that bridging the digital divide and helping seniors feel in control can be accomplished for relative low cost if done right.

Rothamn noted that “Helping seniors go digital is becoming more of an imperative” “Many government services, from Medicare to food stamps, now conduct much business online, and families are scattered, which makes maintaining regular contact more difficult”.

Instead of feeling isolated and helpless, as many seniors do, which impacts their mental state, cognitive abilities, and their quality of life, being wired means they can take charge of tasks themselves, helping them to feel in more control of their lives. As their mental state improves as a result, they start to love to talk to family regularly via Skype, and can access health information, and even join social networks.

 Funding through the Older Americans Act helped get the training initiative in senior centers and in some participant's homes off the ground. The agency developed partnerships with other social service organizations, non-profits, universities, and Internet service providers for low-cost or donated equipment, services, training, and case management. AT&T and Comcast  provided a year of free broadband service and tech support.

 Training was designed to include:

·       Various technical and literacy levels

·       Limited English proficiency

·       Educational barriers

·       Health and age-related issues such as poor vision or difficulty holding a mouse or using a keyboard due to arthritis, Parkinson's or other degenerative conditions

It became immediately apparent that the increased access to technology reduced feelings of isolation and increased their sense of independence.  In the 2.5 years since the pilot began, 730 seniors and caregivers have been trained by volunteers at a cost of approximately $455,000 which included hardware, software, broadband access, and related expenses. That works out to approximately $622/ person.

 The AAA organization is looking for more funding to expand the program throughout South Florida as a way to empower seniors in a cost effective way through digital technology.  Their ultimate goal is to wire entire communities, especially high rise public housing. They quoted one of the students, age 93, who termed it in the best way possible:  I love my computer because my family and friends are inside.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/print/article/322130#ixzz1qqhivmG0

Personal Emergecy Response Systems by LogicMark

Research shows that getting prompt attention to an emergency situation can make a big difference to surviving an emergency but also to continuing to live independently after such a situation. The New England Journal of Medicine has noted that if you or a loved one incurs an emergency and becomes incapacitated preventing help from arriving when needed; it usually marks the end of independent living.  (New England Journal of Medicine)  Therefore, Personal Emergency Response Systems (“PERS”) are one of the most important technologies to enable and support an aging population to live independently.  

LogicMark LLC is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative personal emergency response systems (PERS) which offers unique two-way voice communication directly through the pendant which means that help is “a push of a button away”  LogicMark was founded in 2006, and received an esteemed INC Magazine 500/5000 award in 2011 for being one of the fastest growing companies in the US.

LogicMark was the first to introduce a no-subscription PERS and they offer 2 such devices:

LogicMark’s GuardianAlert 911 directly calls 911. The user can talk directly through the pendant to a 911 emergency operator at the push of a button.

The system can operate anywhere in or around the home with the base station plugged into a phone jack in the centre of the house. The pendant runs on a AAA battery and lasts up to a year. The pendant is splash resistant so it can be taken into a shower.

No monitoring fees, service charges or contracts. The system uses your home phone line but the pendant is wearable so you don’t need to use your regular telephone when an emergency arises. The pendant range is up to 600 feet and will cover large homes and a short distance outside of your home.

Logic Mark’s FreedomAlert offers direct 911 calling and up to 4 custom contacts that can be direct dialed, so it is a personal link to family, friends or emergency services when needed. You can even use this PERS when travelling by unplugging it from your phone jack with the adaptor and pack it in your suitcase. It can be plugged into the local phone jack and power outlet at your destination with no programming required.  As an added convenience, wireless water-resistant wall units can be mounted to a wall in areas around the home that allow for permanent 2-way communication in cases of emergency.  

No monitoring fees, service charges or contracts.

LogicMark also carries a conventionally monitored PERS that is connected to a central station. There are monthly fees associated with this LifeSentry product as they provide fullsupport services  The LifeSentry products also offers up to a total of 4 pendants & emergency wall communicators that can be connected to a single base station.  This is ideal for a small facility.

Seniorama Pointer™ - Age Friendly Software

Seniorama-Pointer is specifically intended for an aging population with easy to use navigation and interface, customizable font/size settings, simplified web browsing, and basic computer applications that can make a difference for individuals and families ilike...easy email, photo gallery, skype and brain fitness games   

Seniorama Pointer transforms normal PCs into intuitive, easy-to-use machines from start-up to shutdown, in a way that is most suited for seniors and anyone who may have visual problems, learning difficulties or cognitive impairment

Easy/Simple Navigation

Simplified Email

Here’s some reasons that  Seniorama Pointer was awarded “Best Gift for Seniors” by Geeks Advice in December 2011:

• Easy-to-use navigation and interface
• Large customizable fonts and single click icons
• Touchscreen compatibility (not required) and speak abilities
• Voice and video calling powered by SKYPE
• SKYPE - automatic account creation with unique accessibility features
• Simplified Browsing
• Simplified email application for all ages
• Easy to use photo album
• Word, PowerPoint and PDF easy-viewer
• A broad selection of online brain fitness games
• 24 hour email support
• Supports 12 languages

Details: Compatible with MS Windows 7, Vista & XP. System Requirments: 38.248KB; 83MB of free space and 1GB of RAM, at least 1GHz CPU

Brain Games

Brinno PeepHole Viewer

The most basic home security tool you or your family can have is the front door. The classic optical peephole that has been around for some 40 years has poor image quality and it usually allows the visitor to know that someone is at home because the viewer darkens when the user places their eye close to the door.

The Brinno PeepHole Viewer is a digital equivalent to the optical peephole but it brings major benefits particularly for older individuals. The Brinno Peephole view uses an LCD Panel and turns a hard to see PeepHole image into a big bright image by compensating for low light images and for “fish eye” distortion. A simple push button is used to see a larger image without darkening the peephole.

For added protection, the viewer can also be installed with an image recording function to record the visitor’s photo on a MicroSD card or the viewer can be used with optional motion activated sensor and knocking sensor to record the visitor’s photo even when there is no one home.

Cook Stop-Reduce a common worry about cooking fires

CookStop

CookStop™ can help prevent unattended cooking fires, allowing people to stay longer and safer in their own homes.

CookStop™ was developed to help prevent the possibility of dangerous, unattended cooking fires and to help seniors to live safer, independently, and longer in their own homes. CookStop™ is also appropriate for student housing, busy families, families with latchkey kids, and people with disabilities.

CookStop is a patented, UL and CSA approved safety device that turns an electric stove off when left unattended. CookStop works immediately upon installation to bring peace of mind to the use of electric stoves by making them safer. CookStop uses computer-controlled, motion-sense technology to determine someone’s presence in the kitchen and is highly programmable to address the activities of daily living (ADL) of a diverse population with different needs.

CookStop™ begins a countdown when an individual leaves the cooking area. As long as someone is moving in and out of, or around the kitchen, CookStop™ continuously resets the countdown timer to full. However, if someone does not return to the cooking area within the countdown period, CookStop™ will turn off power to the stove.

Call us for more info on how you can help make a kitchen safer with CookStop

Dakim Brain Fitness Software

Dakim is the Gold Standard for Cognitive Exercise

20 minutes, 3-5 times a week cross-training for the brain which exercises all six cognitive domains

Dakim Brain Fitness Software is the only clinically tested brain fitness program created for people over the age of 60.Established in 2001, Dakim is the leading brand in the area of Brain Fitness as chosen by senior healthcare professionals..

Dakim’s NuroLogic Technology is a remarkable fusion of technology, science, and content design, This technology works behind the scenes to deliver a comprehensive workout, spanning six cognitive domains. Selecting from among thousands of exercises in the content library, and downloading new ones as they become available, the software guarantees a constantly varied challenge.

At the same time, a complex set of algorithms enable the software to monitor a player's performance and dynamically self-adjust to the right level of difficulty across five levels for a broad spectrum of users — people with the highest brain function to those with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. Dakim makes the adjustment individually in each cognitive domain — ensuring that the content the player sees matches their specific needs and abilities. Combined with Dakim's library of richly produced, original content, this guarantees an experience that's as enjoyable as it is effective!

This Dakim software package includes a full, 6GB content library and is  compatible with your home computer's mouse/keyboard, laptop or touchscreen computer!

 

Fight Memory loss with Dakim the only clinically tested brain fitness program created especially for folks over 60

Minimum System Requirements

Operating Systems:
Windows XP (excluding 64 bit), Vista, Windows 7 or

MAC OS X (10.5 – Leopard) or MAC OS X (10.6 – Snow Leaopard)

Available Hard Drive Space required – at least 12 GB
Minimum Processor Speed: 2 GHz or faster
RAM: 1 GB

Monitor Resolution: 1024x768 or higher

Additional hardware: DVD Drive (Dual Layer)

Learn more about Dakim’s powerful brain fitness solution at

http://youtu.be/mHuz6f-OQGg

GrandCare Systems-4 Models to choose from

GrandCare System Comparisons:

GrandCare Non-Interactive COMO Box Unit      

The GrandCare Non-Interactive COMO model does not include a touchscreen and is intended to be hooked up to a TV or dedicated monitor. Family can send pictures, messages, emails, and reminders which are displayed as a ‘slide show’ Think of it like a hotel channel designed specifically for your loved one. The loved one simply watches and enjoys the incoming communications and entertainment. This model can be combined with a Health Kit or Activity Kit (sold separately).

GrandCare Interactive Homebase Touchscreen            

The GrandCare All in One Interactive Homebase Touchscreen combines the COMO Box into a touchscreen monitor providing advanced communication and monitoring features for active seniors. It combines aspects of home automation, online communications and healthcare in one flexible, user-friendly and affordable package. The loved one also has the ability to watch streaming videos, or have 2-way interactive web chats with this model..This model can be combined with a Health Kit or Activity Kit (sold separately).

GrandCare Multi-User Kiosk Touchscreen for Care Facilities

The GrandCare Multi-User Kiosk larger (17") touchscreen is intended for deployment in the common area of a community care facility, Group home, or Senior Centre.  The Kiosk model is an inexpensive system to monitor activity & wellness of residents without compromising their dignity. More personalized service and more efficient care facilities. Secure care notes can be entered via a virtual keypad and when the kiosk is located in a central location the Kiosk allows residents access to entertainment, games and communication from family and friends to residents. ADL functionality maybe somewhat limited, due to range requirements but this model will support the Health kit or Activity kit (sold separately)

GrandCare Portable Trillibit Touchscreen

for Care Facilities

 

The GrandCare Portable Trillibit is a hand held portable touchscreen designed to assist caregivers who are managing the health of multiple users either living independently in their homes or in a care facility. When combined with the GC health kit, the Trillibit enables caregivers to take and record health readings for several residents with the ability to travel from room to room or home to home. and with the virtual keypad, care notes can be written up. ADL funciton in most cases is not available due to range issues. This model will support the Health Kit (sold separately)

Introucing GrandCare Systems - Interactive Aging in Place Technology

GrandCare describes it well as...
"Where Caring meets in Technology"

A bit of technology can provide a safer, healthier and happier environment for the benefit of independent seniors, their families and their care partners

GrandCare offers the most comprehensive communication and monitoring system for active seniors on the market today. It combines aspects of smart home automation, online communications and healthcare (telehealth) in one flexible, user-friendly and affordable package. It also creates a care triangle between seniors, families & caregivers. GrandCare is fully customizable, flexible, expandable and moderately priced. Its wireless technology requires little or no new wires, and users need no technical expertise or computer know-how to use GrandCare.

How it works

GrandCare consists of a touchscreen that is placed in a convenient location within the home that connects to the internet. Friends, family and caregivers can use GC-Manager online to send pictures, messages, reminders, calendar appointments, audio clips to the GrandCare touchscreen. Brain exercises, card games, weather updates and other optional features allow loved ones to participate in cognitive exercises.

The system also makes available advanced interactive features including the internet, caller ID (Caller ID Modem, sold separately) and video conferencing (Skype) and can facilitate reminders by automated phone calls, lights or chimes when it’s time to take medications or perform specified activities.

 

Should a loved one's medical and physical conditions require enhanced attention, family members and caregivers can expand the system with activity and wellness monitoring and alerts. The touchscreen communicates with a wide range of unobtrusive motion sensors (sold separately) and wellness devices (using wireless Bluetooth, sold separately), to monitor activities of daily living and wellness such as door openings, blood pressure, weight, medications, wake-ups and more. This enables family and caregivers to monitor the wellness and safety of their loved one remotely online, using GC-Manager. The system can also be instructed to send an alert email, text message or phone call to caregivers if activity is not consistent with what might be expected.

 Key Features

• Assess "normal" activity for your loved one
• Set up customized rules to receive email, text or telephone alerts
• Print out blood pressure & weight information to bring along to doctor visits
• Save money by enabling freedom to stay at home
• View daily activity & wellness information over the web
• Monitor door openings, blood pressure, weight, meds, eating, wake ups, etc.
• Send pictures, messages, reminders, emails & more to loved one
• Coordinate schedules on-line with family & caregivers
• Exchange/record care-notes between family & caregivers
• Peace of mind knowing that loved one is happy, healthy & independent at home
• Have "Virtual" Web Chat visits (interactive version only)
• Interactive brain fitness activities
• Send music and Videos to your loved one (interactive version only
• Requires no prior computer experience

Key Benefits

• Peace of mind for the entire caregiving network
• Extend stay in own home with improved safety and security. 
• Save money by delaying or avoiding the need for more supervised care. 
• Improved communication with loved ones. . 
• Improve health with better management of chronic conditions. 
• Wellness reporting for better care