Embracing Technology...
It's Not Your Parent's "Big Brother"
by Allen Ray, CEO of CMI
What monitoring technology is available?
o Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS): Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) devices are stand alone systems. Often, these are very limited in their scope, and may require an expensive long-term contract. The responders are usually police, fire departments and/or EMS. There are charges for fire department and EMS responses as well as for false alarms.
o Central station monitoring: Monitoring is provided by a licensed security company. Central station monitoring limits the types of events monitored and the reports and data made available to consumers or care providers. The role of the central station should be to supplement but not replace that of local care providers--especially friends and family--who have the advantage of a relationship with the resident and knowledge about their particular situation and history. The consumer and care team should know exactly what to expect from a central station system. How does the central station system insure they have current data on which to base a response? Will this system provide notifications to the caregiver support team?
o Pre-packaged systems: These systems are available through retail outlets and infomercials. They usually have limited reporting features and expandability.
o Personalized activity monitoring systems: I recommend considering a system that is expandable and encourages creation of an individual plan of support with flexible notification options but does not require a long-term contract. Systems that can accommodate unique devices like stove sensors, pressure sensors, medical monitors, etc. for maximum flexibility allow many consumers to live at home longer, possibly with assistance but without the need for full-time institutional care.
What are the costs?
o Hardware costs typically range from $200 for a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) system to $500-950 for a basic, but individualized, monitoring system. Specialized systems cost more.
o Monthly costs generally begin at $40 but can go much higher depending on the level of oversight, and whether the service plan includes central monitoring. Central station monitoring services may require an extended contract of 1-3 years.
What are the savings?
o There is no bricks and mortar component. In a time of reduced funding, all necessary support, when appropriate, should go to services.
o The costs of these systems are often offset by the savings they create. Care providers can eliminate or reduce the number of full time employees on call at a given time for “what if” scenarios.
I get my own mail now!
The greatest value of using personalized monitoring technology is in enhancing the quality of life we often take for granted. Recently, our company moved several individuals from institutional ICF/MR facilities to apartments and other supported home settings. We had run all the numbers and expected significant savings. We trained staff for their new roles, expected some improvements in behavior rates and anticipated some challenges with community placements. What we could not predict were the consumers’ responses to moving from institutional care to their own home. We did not consider how readily these consumers would claim ownership of their daily schedules; how quickly they participated in meal planning, shopping and preparation; how definite their tastes were in decorating their own space; how proud they were to do laundry, to develop housekeeping and lawn maintenance skills; and the absolute joy in going to their own mailbox. While the savings and other business aspects of the moves are certainly quantifiable, the improvements to quality of life are immeasurable!
In summary, there is no one perfect answer to aging in place or living successfully with a physical or developmental disability. There is, however, a new technological arrow for your quiver. Embrace it! Imagine what we can accomplish by supporting and sustaining people in their homes for as long as possible. Truly, there is nothing better.
Author Bio
Allen Ray is President/CEO of Community Management Initiative (CMI), Inc., a company that delivers programs, supports, tools and services designed for caregivers of the elderly and disabled. Blending Alarm.com’s wireless and Web-enabled monitoring technology into CMI’s “SimplyHome” offering, Ray has helped develop a cost-effective solution for public and private caregivers that allows care recipients to lead more independent lives. Through an affiliation with CMI and other companies, Ray has been involved in owning, procuring funding for and providing services to seniors and developmentally disabled adults since 1989. If you have questions or would like more information please contact him at allen.ray@simplyhome-cmi.com or toll free at 1-888-684-3581.
[This is a four-part series. To read the first three parts, see the blog entries from March 20-22]
