3 Ways to Fund Assistive Technology in North Carolina

We hope that a lack of funding for assistive technology never hinders people with developmental disabilities from leading full and independent lives in the community. The reality, of course, is that funding for people with disabilities can be very limited, and enabling technology can become an afterthought. What you may not know: You may have a right to assistive technology. When assistive technology is necessary for a person with a disability to be able to learn, live, have independence, or have a job, certain public programs may pay for that AT. Today on the blog, we feature three of those assistive technology programs here in our home state of North Carolina.

3 Ways to Be More Productive with SimplyHome's Check-in App

It’s the 21st century! Skip the pen and paper. With the Responder App, you’ll get an alert on your phone when a check-in is due or coming up, so you never forget a check-in again. Document your location with the touch of a button, using location-verification beacons. Crazy day? Change of schedule? Skip the check-in and leave a comment explaining what happened.

Caregivers, For Organizations, Independent Living, SimplyHome ProductsSimplyHomeJuly 26, 2018Comment

A Portrait of Independence with the SimplyHome Responder App

For Eric and his care team, technology is key to independence. When the 36-year-old moved out of a group home into an apartment of his own for the first time, Eric’s family was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to manage life on his own.

Enabling Technology Initiative Featured on Tennessee's WJHL

After airing a feature focused on Carl's Story last week, Tennessee's WJHL (Channel 11) released a follow-up story focusing on the state's initiative to incorporate technology in supporting people with disabilities.

Caregivers, For Individuals, For Organizations, Independent Living, Individuals with Disab..., News, PressSimplyHomeJuly 20, 2018Comment

SimplyHome Website Wins 2018 Caregiver Friendly Award

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - July 18, 2018 - PRLog -- SimplyHome, leading provider of innovative and affordable technology solutions for aging and disabled populations, announced today that the SimplyHome website, www.simply-home.com, was named a Today’s Caregiver Magazine Caregiver Friendly® Award winner. The SimplyHome website was honored in the Media category of the Caregiver Friendly awards, which are designed to celebrate products, services, books and media created with caregivers in mind.

Awards, Caregivers, Individuals with Disab..., Aging in Place, NewsSimplyHomeJuly 18, 2018Comment

Meet the Responder App: A Provider’s Story

Prior to using our SimplyHome Responder App, one New York City provider kept track of staff visits to client residences with pen and paper. This method often resulted in confusion and miscommunication, to say the least.

By using the SimplyHome Responder App on their smartphones, staff members are now able to document their check-ins, recording time- and check-ins to a geographical locations (client residences) by using our location verification beacons. Upon checking in, staff have immediate access to assigned tasks scheduled for that location and client (such as taking medications, preparing meals, or assisting with household tasks).

Caregivers, For Organizations, Independent Living, Individuals with Disab..., SimplyHome ProductsSimplyHomeJuly 18, 2018Comment

Press Release: SimplyHome Launches Check-in Service and Responder App

PR Newswire, Asheville, NC (July 16, 2018) – SimplyHome, LLC, announces the debut of the Check-in Service and Responder App for iOS and Android mobile devices. The latest addition to SimplyHome’s suite of enabling technology, the Check-in Service and Responder App allow provider organizations to verify care and easily manage a client’s circle of support.

Top 5 Ways Enabling Technology Reaches Beyond Remote Monitoring

It's often the first conversation we have with people who are new to SimplyHome: Why do you call it enabling technology? You use sensors in your systems, so isn't this the same as remote monitoring, or monitoring technology? And adding to that confusion, sometimes the same devices – such as cameras or sensors – can be used for remote monitoring OR enabling technology. So how do we define enabling technology?

Does My State Have Funding for Enabling Technology? (Updated)

Note: The original version of this post was published in November. But we have some additional resources to share with you, so we thought we'd update it and share it again!

It’s a question we hear often: Does my state cover assistive technology?

It’s not a surprising question: Working through pages and pages of waivers and other documents can make you feel like you are working in the dark.

As we work with providers, clients, families, and loved ones, most want to know if Medicaid funding can be used to implement assistive technology – and specifically, to use that technology to promote independence as a part of a life in the community. This is what we call enabling technology.

What's Your Why?

Recently SimplyHome’s Allen and Drue Ray attended the 2018 Ohio Tech Summit, a one-day event focused on technology that enables independence for people with disabilities.

Allen led a session where he spoke about SimplyHome’s enabling technology products and services, but as usual, he reminded the audience not to focus on the newest technology for its own sake, on “Final Rules” or on EVV, but to focus instead on their why.

Allen asked each audience member to write down their own why for wanting to use technology to support people with disabilities. SimplyHome was so inspired by the audience’s responses that we wanted to share some of these! Thanks to these awesome audience members for sharing their why.

Caregivers, For Individuals, For Organizations, Independent Living, Individuals with Disab...SimplyHomeJune 21, 2018Comment

Alaska Newspaper Features Family Using SimplyHome Technology

The Juneau Empire recently published the story of Gina and Sandy, a mother and daughter who have begun to use SimplyHome technology at their remote Alaskan homestead.

Caregivers, For Individuals, For Organizations, Independent Living, Individuals with Disab..., Press, TestimonialsSimplyHomeNovember 27, 2017Comment

In Alaska, Technology Helps Create Connection and Independence

In the state of Alaska, feeling connected can be a challenge, with neighbors sometimes miles away and reliable internet access often only available via satellite. Alaska is the least densely populated of all U.S. states and the state capital, Juneau, boasts a population of only 32,000.

But one service provider, REACH, has long been on a mission to connect the people they serve – many of whom have intellectual or developmental disabilities – with the services they need and the communities they live in.

Assistive Technology: A Tool for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver

For the Alzheimer’s caregiver, assistive technology can create a stronger safety net for their loved one, allowing the caregiver to receive alerts when additional support is needed. These alerts can be sent to multiple family members, enabling families to distribute caregiving responsibilities and take better care of themselves and their loved ones.

Aging in Place, Caregivers, For Individuals, Independent Living, NewsSimplyHomeSeptember 7, 2017Comment

One Person, A World of Difference: Congratulations to Xia Xiong!

“With Xia, I got so much more than I merely hoped for – I got what I dreamed of. I dreamed of staff that would love him and care for his emotional health – even when at times he is hard to love. I dreamed of staff that would look for innovative solutions to problems as they arose – because we knew that there would be problems."

News, Independent Living, Individuals with Disab..., Caregivers, Children, For IndividualsKristen SuttlesMay 11, 2017Comment

The Beginner’s Guide to Remaining in Your Home While Aging

Universal design is a concept quickly becoming embraced among homeowners of varying ages. The idea is to start making simple modifications now to your home, enabling you to remain in your home when your daily lifestyle needs and routines change.

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