GrandPad’s easy-to-use, secure, connected platform enables seamless adoption of telehealth strategies by healthcare companies; driving long-term engagement among growing senior population during and beyond COVID-19 pandemic
GrandPad, creator of the first purpose-built tablet for people over the age of 75, announced today that it has expanded its footprint in the healthcare industry with 12 new strategic partnerships that integrate GrandPad into the care delivery models of in-home health organizations and specialty clinics. According to Scott Lien, co-founder and CEO of GrandPad, while the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues to highlight the need for robust telehealth offerings, healthcare providers are discovering that engagement with devices used to deliver telehealth visits can be a challenge. Healthcare companies are turning to GrandPad because the device enables telehealth interactions that are easy for patients and staff, while delivering high patient engagement rates.
“When it comes to engaging older adults, not all devices are created equal,” said Lien. “Seniors interact with technology in different ways and have different cognitive and physical limitations – such as vision and hearing loss and issues with dexterity. GrandPad is custom designed to address these issues and to engage seniors on a personal and social level, so they look forward to using the device on a daily basis. This is important because the more seniors engage with technology they trust, the more likely they are to use it for telehealth visits with doctors or daily check ins with caregivers.”
Although the telehealth market is expected to grow by 80% year over year in the wake of COVID-19, according to industry analysts, older patients may be left out of this trend because they lack access to technology that supports video calling and they often do not have internet in their home or care facility. The safe, simple, and secure video calling that is available through GrandPad addresses these issues and has been a key driver for new commercial business since COVID-19 hit.
However, new GrandPad partners also cite the impact on mental and social health and well-being for patients, easy onboarding for clinical staff, and customization options as factors that are driving strong positive response and utilization. Healthcare partners also appreciate that GrandPad is HIPAA-compliant and that connected device capabilities are available to support evolving telehealth services for providers. At the same time, GrandPad has made it easier for seniors to connect with friends and family, alleviating health concerns associated with isolation and loneliness among patients who have been cut off from outside contact.
According to Lien, since the end of March, GrandPad has been used to conduct more than 56,000 telehealth visits with seniors who have been isolated in their homes due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, 1.7 million video visits have taken place on GrandPad during the last 90 days. Interest from home healthcare organizations and specialty clinics continues to grow as providers are realizing the benefits of telehealth for an aging population. New partners include Prospero Health, Welbe Health, Kaiser Permanente, UCSF School of Medicine, Providence PACE, PACE of Southeast Michigan, PACE of Southwest Michigan, Palm Beach PACE, Life PACE, Midland Care, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, and Aging and In-home Services of Northeast Indiana. PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Medicare and Medicaid program that provides care for older adults with complex or chronic conditions so they can continue to live independently in their homes and experience a high quality of life.
To support expanded telehealth capabilities among healthcare organizations, GrandPad is now offering a variety of Connected Care solutions to commercial customers, including Daily Connect, a remote care solution that integrates with the purpose-built GrandPad tablet to deliver well-being data to remote caregivers. GrandPad Daily Connect is designed to detect abnormalities in the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of older adults, and to wirelessly transmit real-time data and insights to caregivers to determine if interventions are needed when values are outside the normal range for the older adult.
GrandPad Daily Connect currently integrates a wearable device designed to track sleep and steps; a body weight scale; and a device that records blood pressure, pulse ox, body temperature, heart rate, and respiration in a simple, safe, and reliable way. All devices connect via Bluetooth or Direct Cloud Connect and can be integrated separately into the GrandPad tablet or bundled as part of GrandPad Daily Connect for caregivers. GrandPad comes with a proprietary, secure, telehealth platform with video capabilities for virtual care. It is HIPAA compliant and easily integrates with other telehealth platforms.
“Healthcare companies have a tremendous opportunity to transform the care experience and outcomes for older adult patient populations with technology that improves access, compliance with care plans, and social and mental well-being. All of these are critical contributing factors to positive medical outcomes. However, to capitalize on this opportunity, healthcare providers must first understand and address the challenges that prevent seniors from engaging with technology, and that’s a challenge the team at GrandPad has already overcome,” said Lien.