One System Does NOT Fit All
Hear From Our Partners We recently sat down with Stacey Pierce, Director of LIVE@HOME Technologies to get the inside scoop on how she has seen technology change people's lives. Pierce started the Senior Solutions business in March 2008 and at the same time started researching technology, deploying her first unit with a client in late 2008. She found SimplyHome on her quest for researching new and innovative technology to better serve her clients. She says she has many success stories. Here is one example she wanted to share.
Knowing When Someone Has Fallen Before It is Too Late
By Stacey Pierce, Director of LIVE@HOME Technologies
"We recently installed a system for a gentleman in Columbia, SC, who also has a house in the Asheville, NC area. He splits his time between both residents. In his case he needs direct communication with his doctors, who are located in Columbia. This gentleman’s medical history includes several heart surgeries, congestive heart failure and diabetes. He admits having a history of forgetting to take his medication and eating in the morning, which are both concerns of the doctor and caregivers.
Despite his medical history, he is still very active, but has experienced several falls in the past year. In his Columbia residence, we installed motion sensors throughout the house, along with a bed sensor and door sensors. Due to his history of falls, the rules that were established were as follows; if he gets out of bed between 11 PM and 8 AM, and is out for more than 1 hour, and no motion is detected around the house it will alert his caregiver (that being family, friend, or neighbor). Another rule was also established that calls the caregiver if he goes out of any back door and the door has not been opened back up within one hour. These two rules will help detect if he has possibly fallen and needs help.
Monitoring Wellness
This particular system also involves wellness components. Taking into account his medical history, we were able to work with his Doctor to set rules such as, if he gains more than 3 lbs in 24 hours or 4 lbs. in 48 hours, the doctor’s office staff will be alerted. This could be the signs of congestive heart failure. If his glucose is less than 100 or greater than 200, the doctor’s office will be alerted. Considering his health and need for direct contact with his doctor daily, we also installed the system in his Asheville home. This system was designed just to monitor wellness, not activity, since he has a live in caregiver on the premises."
One great element about the system that Pierce describes it that it is completely customized to this particular customer. SimplyHome does not believe that one system fits all. We feel strongly about finding people solutions, whether that is technology or not, to allow them to remain dignified and independent. Follow our blog in the coming weeks for more success stories on how technology is being used to change and empower peoples’ lives.
About Stacey Pierce
Pierce is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) working with pediatric, orthopedic and geriatric patients. In 2007, she joined The Methodist Oaks Staff as Director of Senior Solutions, a new home service business for the community. While successfully growing the Senior Solution business, she and the CEO of the Methodist Oaks, recognized the impact that technology could have, and would have, on helping seniors stay at home longer while giving both the senior and the family peace of mind. “The key was to research for reliable technology that could be adapted to each individual client's needs. We continue the constant research even today, seeking out the newest product to make a difference in a person's life,” said Pierce.
With both her technology expertise and therapy background she has been afforded the opportunity to play an active role in aging people in place around SC. She spends time researching, educating, and bringing awareness of the many options that are available to the aging population. She is currently working with the University Of South Carolina School Of Gerontology in connection with its Smart Home project. They partner with USC and other providers to submit grants to use Senior Solutions, Technology and CAPS to establish a pilot utilizing multiple disciplines to age people in place. Currently, they are part of a two-year University study on immediate fall detection using passive technology. (no action required by the person)
“I am dedicated to providing services such as in-home care, innovative technology, and home renovations to seniors wanting to age in place with independence, safety and peace of mind,” said Pierce.
About The Methodist Oaks
The Methodist Oaks has more than 50 years of experience of mission and ministry with seniors giving care and services at our Faith Based Continuing Care Retirement Community (www.theoakssc.com). In the last few years, recognizing the need to expand our care giving to a greater community, the Board of The Oaks made the decision to offer our expertise in the integration of Care and Technology throughout South Carolina and portions of North Carolina and Georgia.
The Oaks created LIVE@HOME Technologies to offer the latest in rapidly changing technological advances to assist people in staying at home. LIVE@HOME Technologies constantly researches and test variously technologies which are available and utilizes that which best suits the client's situation. L@HT learned early on that the most critical step of helping people stay at home rather than moving to an Assisted Living or other living option is the evaluation of the needs and desires of the potential client and the family. There is no ONE answer. Each situation is different. Some may need fairly simple technology while others will need a much more involved array of technological applications. We have also have situations where our free evaluation reveals that technology is not needed, just some in-home personal care.