GrandCare and the “competition”

Posted by  •  2 comments  •  Thursday, Jun 17, 2010

The Author, Art Dunn

The Author, Art Dunn

As I have promised readers of my blog, I will always be forthcoming about what products I or my employer offer when I’m discussing them. My employer offers GrandCare Systems at www.yourhomeservesyou.com. I was very much involved in the decision to become a GrandCare dealer. I did a good deal of research to learn about what GrandCare was, what it offered, who was behind it, and what the competition offered. 

Picture of a burglar alarm detection point.
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While I was aware of some of the challenges confronting seniors through my experience installing home automation systems, I was not aware of some of the direct solutions offered by GrandCare. I was aware of Personal Emergency Reporting Systems (P.E.R.S.), and I was aware that a burglar alarm system had some capabilities to be adapted to detect a lack of activity in a home. Unfortunately a P.E.R.S. would do nothing, especially if not worn or if the pendant was out of range of the receiver. Burglar alarm systems would most likely become a nuisance to whomever was to be called if there was no activity in the house, because circumstances would change from time to time. It would also be depending upon those in a central station who are used to burglar and fire alarm signals to understand clearly what the signals from the burglar alarm meant. I’ve often had things interpreted incorrectly by a central station operator, it taught me to keep things simple when involving them. 

When I was first approached to become a GrandCare Dealer, I took a quick look at the website and dismissed it. Thankfully, I was compelled to take a second look at it. That’s when I saw that it was as limited as I had thought it was. I thought it would just take a few medical measurements, that’s it. I realized it did so much more than that- that it preserved communication and connection with family rather than replacing it with a phone call from a central station or a message only when something is wrong. If I list all of the features currently available, this post would quickly become obsolete, so I’ll link you to GrandCare’s website for the latest information about features www.grandcare.com. 

Main complications of persistent high blood pr...
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GrandCare is as easy to use as an ATM

GrandCare offers the user a simple touch screen interface

I researched the competition with every search phrase I could think of. I keep informed daily about developments in the industry. As of the writing of this entry, I have still seen nothing that offers any real competition to GrandCare. I’ve seen burglar alarm systems that are supposed to “learn” the normal patterns of activity and then call the central station when there’s a deviation from that pattern. Another is a service that calls daily to check in on you. “Hi, Mr. (mispronounce terribly your name here) are you still alive? We just want you to know Mr. (mispronounce it again, just to let you know how well we know you) that we care!”. I saw a device that reminded you to take medication, then spit it out like it was a bubble gum machine, a GPS tracker that needed to be charged and worn by the person who wanders because they forget things (gee- like the tracker?). I’ve seen systems that record some wellness measurements, or that ask how you feel today versus yesterday. I assume it would call someone if you told it I feel miserable today, I was miserable yesterday and I’ll probably feel miserable tomorrow too. Should we just pencil in the whole week for feeling that way now and call it good? 

Conventional (mechanical) sphygmomanometer wit...

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Maybe I’m terribly misrepresenting these other systems. If I am, please correct me. My point is that each system addressed one facet of aging in place, but not all of them, or at least not the important ones. What about the social benefits of staying connected to friends and family with email and pictures? What about listening to music, or hearing your children’s voices? What about seeing pictures from around the world or of various animals, buildings, skylines or art? What about calendars, quotations, scriptures, weather, games and something to engage the mind- like trivia? These were addressed by none of the other systems; would it be fair to call them “competition” since they don’t? None of them let caregivers dictate what “normal” was as far as activities. None of them circumvented the central station, communicating directly with the caregiver via phone, text, email or all three. None of them provided for caregiver notes to family or other caregivers. I don’t know if any of them allowed for printing graphs of data from blood pressure or other wellness measurements, if they recorded them at all. I also didn’t note any of them contacting anyone if things were outside of custom limits or trends. None of them monitored room temperature or would remind the user to put a coat on if it was chilly outside. Amongst other things, none of them could turn on a lamp so that the user wasn’t ever in the dark or walking in to a dark room. 

It was the lack of competition as well as the multiple benefits that made the decision to become a GrandCare dealer an easy one. I invite my readers to do their own research, and decide for themselves what meets their needs best? Something that does half the job for half the price? That would be like buying a car that would only take you to work, but wouldn’t get you home. Even if those solutions meet your needs today, will they meet them tomorrow? "focus on quality"

OK, perhaps not the most informative blog you’ll read today. It was inspired by yet another press release from the “competition” that offered fewer benefits and no real competition to GrandCare that crossed my desktop today on its way to the deleted items folder. I’m hoping that anyone reading this who might have dismissed a GrandCare System as a solution to aging in place to take a second look, like I did.

old television set

Does today's solution meet tomorrow's needs?

 

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how in-home caregiver agencies can increase profits wit ...

Posted by  •  2 comments  •  Friday, Jun 11, 2010

As a home care agency, you’re probably acutely aware of the increasing needs of our aging population. As demand for your services increases, qualified caregivers will become more difficult to find. Other agencies may offer better compensation, or they will work privately. You need some way to distinguish yourself from other agencies, to offer more value to your clients, and to increase the efficiency of your caregiver employees. Partnering with a GrandCare and home automation companies could provide you all of these things.Home Automation Incorporated's Omni-touch

There are good reasons you haven’t partnered with any kind of technology companies. You want your customers to spend their money with you, not with somebody else. This would be true if there were only a finite number of customers to be had. In fact, the number of potential customers continues to grow as the population ages. Technology solutions allow you to:

  • Offer your clients more than your competition.
  • Care for more clients with the same payroll expenses.
  • Realize increased profits by offering services that relate directly to the technology.
  • Reduce liability risks by using technology as an unbiased witness to the quality of your care.
  • Increase customer retention by allowing your clients to remain in their homes longer than they otherwise could.
  • Hire and retain better caregivers by offering training, certification and easier record keeping.
  • Increase the satisfaction of your customers by keeping them connected to family, friends, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the world.
  • Offer technology that reduces vulnerability to telephone scammers who contact your clients.

 

healthcare professional

use technology to work with healthcare professionals to care for your clients

GrandCare is as easy to use as an ATM

GrandCare offers the user a simple touch screen interface

Home automation companies can adapt the home to meet the unique and changing needs of your clients in ways that can preserve their independence in a similar fashion to universal design. Automation can cause the lights in the house to flash on and off to notify someone hard of hearing that the doorbell is ringing. Automation can close garage doors if they are forgotten, and won’t forget to turn on security lights in the evening. Automation systems can detect flooding and shut off water if a tub overflows. Automation systems can allow family members or caregivers to verify all the doors and windows are closed from anywhere in the world with an internet or telephone connection.

mobile phone text message
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Tele-wellness systems, such as GrandCare Systems can record wellness readings and verify activity without privacy robbing cameras. One caregiver can rotate from client to client without neglecting others, because programming created for each client’s unique needs will text message, email and call to alert the caregiver to unusual conditions. These could range from wellness measurements outside of normal to not getting out of bed at the usual time. Wellness measurements, caregiver notes, arrival and departure time as recorded by door entries or “clocking in” via the GrandCare System can document caregiver activity as well as client activity such as taking medicine. Calendars for the clients are available to family and caregivers for easy coordination of transportation to doctors or visits with friends. Caregivers can leave notes on the system for other caregivers that are not visible to the client.

Both GrandCare and automation systems can help defend your caregivers against accusations of theft. If valuables are stored in jewelry boxes, dresser drawers or closets, the time and date of them being opened can be recorded for comparison against caregiver activities. If something goes missing from a jewelry box but it wasn’t ever opened when your caregiver is in the home, it could prove innocence without question.

Your benefits and savings depend upon how you and your technology partners learn to benefit each other. They’re used to finding solutions to unique situations and to adapting to their client’s needs.

If you would like to learn more about increasing your profits, contact artdunn@yourhomeservesyou.com. Even if you’re not in the northern California area, there are networks of dealers across the country you would be able to consult with locally.

As always, I’ve promised my blog readers that I’ll completely disclose if I’m writing about a product or service that I or my employer offer. My employer is a GrandCare dealer as well as a dealer for Home Automation Incorporated, an automation system.

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fire detection in your home

Posted by  •  0 comments  •  Wednesday, Jun 9, 2010

Fire detection in your home           

         

A residential smoke detector is the most famil...

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

Fire can spread very quickly in your home. Here’s a video link that gives you some idea of how quickly a small flame grows to engulf the whole house http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqMVm72FMRk&feature=related. As you can see in the video, fires grow from small to large in a very short period of time. As this news video shows, smoke is the usual killer in home fires http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnAaeTDRxek. How an ionization detector works can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjJnxUwcfoQ&feature=related. I couldn’t find a decent video on photoelectric smoke detectors, so I’ll just explain how they work. Inside the smoke detector is a chamber with ventilation to the air in the room. A light inside the detector is pointed away from a photoelectric eye, and cannot detect the light unless smoke particles or something similar reflects the light onto it. It would be similar to shining a flashlight into the sky on a clear and moonless night; nothing would reflect the flashlight’s light back into your eyes. If you were to do the same on a foggy evening, you would see the light because the fog would reflect the light to your eyes.

Inside view of an optical smoke detector.

upper center of picture is where smoke is reflected from source to eye

 

Local, or monitored?

Smoke or fire alarm detectors can be local only, or monitored. Local only means that they just make noise- beeping, buzzing or a recorded voice. Monitored detectors are connected to an alarm system that is monitored by a central station, where an operator can dispatch the fire department for you. While local detectors are less expensive, they are designed to protect life only. A monitored system can save your life just as well, but it may also save your property by alerting firefighters while the fire may still be small. Since I and my employer sell fire alarm systems, I’m going to be honest about my bias towards monitored systems: If you can afford to have one properly installed and monitored, do it. If the fire traps you by blocking your means of escape, wouldn’t you prefer to have someone else call the fire department? Smoke detectors can be connected to most burglar alarm or automation systems, will work if you lose electrical power, and will even notify the central station if they have technical problems.

Detection

Photoelectric detectors will give false trips when exposed to dust or steam, as well as intentional fires- fireplaces, car exhaust, or dubious culinary activity. As the video above demonstrated, photoelectric detectors are not optimal for detecting open flame fires. To offer greater detection, fixed heat detectors have been added to photoelectric detectors, such as this product: http://www.homecontrols.com/GE-Security-Photoelectric-SmokeHeat-Detector-wCleanMe-2-Wire-GE521BXT. Heat detectors detect the heat of a fire, which will be far more extreme than will be found in normal conditions inside your home. Coupled with the photoelectric smoke detector, they should detect both open flame and smoldering fires. In extreme environments, such as an attic, smoke detectors are likely to be fouled with dust and difficult to access to maintain. In some instances, even the extreme temperatures required to trip a heat detector will exist in the attic. In these cases, rather than using a heat detector set to trip at a fixed temperature, a heat detector that detects a “rate of rise” in temperature should be used. These detectors usually have a very high fixed temperature threshold so that they will detect a fire, but are far less sensitive to ambient temperatures that may be extreme. These detectors look for a rapid rise in temperature such as an open flame fire would create, with the fixed temperature trip acting as a failsafe. Consult local codes and a qualified designer for installations.

Make some noise!

In-home version of a strobe fire alarm
Image via Wikipedia

 

Fire alarm annunciation should be customized to the occupant. Those who are hard of hearing should have strobes in addition to horns or sirens. Where strobes are to be used, they must be synchronized if two strobes can be simultaneously observed to avoid epileptic seizures. A strobe light mounted on the exterior of the home or flashing lights will help guide emergency responders to your home quickly.

Test

Candle wick burning.
Image via Wikipedia

 

Test your system regularly using the manufacturer’s instructions, or hire someone who is licensed and competent to test them for you. Monitored detectors should notify you if there is a problem with wiring, batteries or dust accumulating in the detectors. Local detectors typically have a push button to test them. Monitored detectors will sometimes have provisions for testing with a magnet, or spray cans of “smoke” can be purchased for testing purposes. Avoid using too much spray smoke because it will lead to the detector prematurely failing due to dust sticking to the inside of the detector.

Questions/comments

As always, if you have questions or comments, you may contact me via email at artdunn@yourhomeservesyou.com, or visit my employer’s website at www.yourhomeservesyou.com.

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Alarm System Basics

Posted by  •  1 comments  •  Monday, Jun 7, 2010

 

Home Automation Incorporated's Omni-touchBurglar Alarm System Basics 

Burglar alarm systems can be very mysterious to homeowners. Television commercials with layers of protection seeming to emanate from the keypad and concerned operators calling mere fractions of a second after the alarm is tripped are what I’ve been seeing lately. This is unfortunate, because it offers the homeowner a false sense of security that can have expensive or tragic consequences. Hopefully, this brief write up will give you a better understanding of what you have or what you’re considering buying.

Check the license 

Does your state or local authority have licensing requirements for alarm installers? Is your installer licensed? Do you need a license or permit for an alarm in your home? These days, it’s easy enough to verify license numbers using the internet. Don’t assume that just because the license is valid that you are dealing with the licensee. It’s not unusual for unlicensed installers to use someone else’s valid license number. Your consumer affairs department or the licensing agency should be able to help you confirm these things, and they should be able to help you confirm that the company is operating as required by law. Your local authority will know the permitting requirements for alarms in your area. 

No Free Lunch It’s not uncommon for installation companies to install a system in your home for free or for a small fee. This is effective, because most people do not know what they are getting for the price and the installation isn’t where the installers make their money. The ultimate goal is for you to be under contract for as long as possible. Eventually the profits from your monthly payments will cover the cost of the installation and the equipment. The remainder of the contract is pure profit for whoever owns that contract. These contracts can be sold by the installer or held by them, depending upon their business plan. I’m not exposing any dirty secrets here; cell phone companies and other providers have been doing this for years. Profit isn’t evil, my purpose it to help you understand what you are getting for your money. The free or cheap installation will be a package that includes as little hardware and labor as possible. That’s because the less expensive the installation is, the sooner the costs are met by your monthly payments and the profits begin. You can add to those packages, but then you may leave the realm of free or cheap installation. 

What’s in the installation? 

At a minimum, you’re going to have a main panel- something that connects to sensors, keypads and can transmit information to a central station. You’ll need a keypad to turn the alarm on and off, a horn to make noise, and at least one or two sensors. These days, there is typically very little actual wiring involved except in new construction projects. Wireless detection devices are far easier to install than wired devices. They also expose the installer to less risk of unintentional damage to your home during the installation. Finally, wireless devices run on batteries that someone will have to replace, an opportunity for a service fee to the installer. Image of scales

Some things to understand 

The key thing to understand about any security system is that it offers you two benefits: deterrence and detection. Alarm systems don’t offer protection any more than life insurance protects your life. The deterrence a system offers is maximized by signs, stickers, and visible external evidence of an alarm system. You don’t have to make your house look impregnable, you just have to make it look more difficult to break into than your neighbor’s homes. A keypad with lights that indicate that it is not armed probably shouldn’t be installed where it can be seen through a window. Detection is the detection of an intruder, which is determined by two things- sensors detecting activity such as motion or a door opening and the system not being disarmed. Intruders are only detected if there is some detector installed where they intrude, and that will be tripped by their method of intrusion. Once an alarm is tripped, the intruder should know that he probably has a limited amount of time before police arrive or neighbors investigate the siren. Even if police do not respond, you will have the benefit of being aware that there may still be an intruder in your home. 

Function or package? 

Does what’s included in your installation allow your system to do what you want it to? This is the key question with any system, and should therefore be the starting point for any system design. Are you more concerned about the house being broken into when you are home or away? What you want from the system will determine what types of sensors you will install, and where you will install them. If you’re only worried about intrusion when the house is empty, interior motion sensors at key points such as hallways or staircases will trip the system and are an inexpensive installation. If you’re only worried about detecting intrusion when you’re home, detection of exterior doors and windows or of glass being broken to gain entry would work best for you. Obviously, if you’re home you would most likely be the one tripping interior motion sensors. 

"focus on quality"Know what you’re buying 

You should know what you want to trip the alarm system before you begin working with any designer. Technology will change, but intrusion will not. If you know you want the system to trip if your patio door is opened, that’s something the designer will need to know. If you also want the system to trip if the glass in your patio door is broken, the designer will need to know that as well. Since you’re the only one who knows how valuable it is to you to detect an intruder if they break the glass on the door but don’t open the door to enter, you’re the only one who can decide if it’s worth the expense. If you simply accept whatever the designer suggests or accept a package, will it detect an intruder entering your home how and where you think it will? If you’re not sure, clarify it with your designer. 

Test it

After your system is installed, you should test it regularly. It’s probably spelled out in your contract how frequently you are supposed to test the system at a minimum. Most systems will notify you if there is a problem with a detector or with the panel itself. There are limitations to the ability of the system to detect failures or problems, testing is the only way to be sure. Hardware can fail, software could have been incorrectly written, wires could fail, and the central station could have errors in its database. First, you’ll need to contact your monitoring company to notify them that you will be testing your system so they don’t send the police when your system trips. Then you’ll need to arm your system and trip it, just as though you were the intruder. The monitoring company should be able to tell you what detectors you tripped as you moved around the house. Verify the monitoring company has the correct address for your home and that they can accurately tell you which door or window you opened to trip your alarm. You should also keep any telephone numbers they call when the alarm trips up to date. If you’re not comfortable doing this, have someone who is qualified do this for you regularly. It is possible for failures or errors to go undetected, causing an intruder to go undetected. 

Test Pattern

Test it!

Be an educated consumer 

Before you make a final decision on what system to install, research it. If you have specific equipment in mind, these days user’s manuals and consumer reviews can be found online. How can the system be expanded after the initial installation? Some systems can do more than simple burglar alarm functions, integrating other systems to your alarm system. How easy will it be to change access codes, or to alter programming? Can you access the system via telephone or online? Is the system you are considering close to obsolescence? Will you be able to find an alternate service provider if something happens to the company who installed your system? Your research beforehand can save you frustration and expense months or years after the system is installed. Your understanding of what you are getting for your money will help you avoid being taken advantage of. 

Questions?

Please submit your comments or questions regarding this or any other post to artdunn@yourhomeservesyou.com, or visit www.yourhomeservesyou.com. I promised full disclosure; NANLOW-DUNN Inc. is an authorized dealer for Home Automation Incorporated www.homeauto.com

Radionics Keypad

A Radionics System Keypad

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