Senior Care Technology Review: Brookdale, Independa, Acadian, & More

This installment features a partnership between Brookdale Senior Living and a provider of adaptive computer systems for senior living communities that will put interactive, mentally stimulating computers into Brookdale’s memory care communities. Senior care technology solutions provider Independa is incorporating IDEAL LIFE’s wireless health monitoring products into its cloud system, while Acadian Monitoring Services has added a new mobile device to its product offerings. Read on for more tech updates:

1. Brookdale: It’s Never 2 Late Partnership to Enhance Memory Care Programming

Brookdale Senior Living has partnered with It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L) for Alzheimer’s and related dementias programing at the senior living provider’s Clare Bridge communities, which focus specifically on memory impairments. 

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“The Brookdale Clare Bridge model has always pushed the envelope in programming for our residents with Alzheimer’s and related dementias,” explained Juliet Holt Klinger, director of dementia care and programs for Brookdale.  “Integrating person-centered technology into our experience was a natural evolution, and after three years of evaluating multiple technology solutions it was clear that iN2L was the right fit.”

Colorado-based iN2L is a provider of adaptive computer systems for senior living communities. The systems feature a combination of adaptive hardware, software, and content that delivers a person-centered experience meant to engage and mentally stimulate users.

2. COMS Interactive Selects Pathway Health Services for Better LTC Market Penetration

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COMS (Clinical Outcomes Management Systems) Interactive has entered a three-year agreement with Pathway Health Services to advance clinical applications, products, and services deployment and ongoing consulting services in the long-term care market. The initiative has a goal of deeper market penetration and advancing COMS Clinical Disease Management products, along with leveraging Pathway’s network of more than 150 clinicians. COMS’ disease management software is used in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities along with home care organizations across the nation. 

3. Acadian: New Mobile Help Device Added to Product Line

Acadian Monitoring Services, a division of Acadian companies and a provider of medical, fire, and security monitoring for homes, businesses, and individuals, has added the MobileHelp device to its line of product offerings. 

The portable, cellular-based, two-way voice mobile unit has GPS location services and, when activated, can detect and report the user’s location using GPC satellites. Dispatchers can then communicate with the subscriber though the AT&T cellular network and dispatch the appropriate authorities based on location and need. The system also allows caregivers or the user’s loved ones to view the user’s location in real-time, using Google Maps technology, with subscriber permission. 

“With the baby boomer generation aging and retiring, yet still being mobile and active, the traditional landline phone-based medical alert system is no longer meeting their needs,” says Blane Comeaux, vice president of AMS, in a statement. “This device is perfect for the ‘on the go’ senior who can still travel, drive a car and live their day-to-day lives, while still having the extra peace of mind a medical alert system affords them and their families.”

4. Medcasa: Phone-Based Service for Senior Medication Reminders

Medcasa recently introduced a phone-based service that allows adult children to connect with their elderly parents to remind them to take their medication. Forgetting to take medication can result in heart attacks, strokes, and even death, says the company, and to lessen the changes of this occurring, some adult children decide to place their parents in a nursing home. The company offers its product as a solution, as it allows caregivers create reminders for others, and then connects them with those they’re caring for to verbally remind them to take their medication.

5. Independa: IDEAL LIFE Wireless Monitoring Product Integration for Artemis Solution

Senior care technology solutions provider Independa has entered into an agreement to integrate IDEAL LIFE’s wireless health monitoring products, such as scales, glucometers, pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs, medication dispensers, and a wireless hub, into the Independa Artemis solution

IDEAL LIFE’s products, when used by caregivers or independent seniors, will automatically and wirelessly connect to other Artemis elements.

“Through our relationship with IDEAL LIFE, technology will fade into the background the moment caregivers and the older adults open the box,” said Independa CEO Kian Saneii. “In the process, our companies are setting the standard for integrated, cloud-based telecare and eliminating a major barrier to adoption.”

GAO: 57% of Medicare Physicians Used EHR System in 2011

A report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that 57% of Medicare physicians used an electronic health record system at their primary practice location in 2011. the 95% of physicians who used an EHR system to document evaluation and management services first began using it between 2001 and 2011; of these, the largest percentage, at 22%, began using EHR systems in 2011—the year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) commenced its incentive program. Read more.

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