After taking a few deep, cleansing breaths, we want you to know that we are right there with you. 

In response, to help you to continue to remotely and safely support to the people you serve in these times, we are switching each of our popular MeMinder, Employment Suite, OnTracker and Avatalk solutions to a $7.99 per person-served, per month model for the foreseeable future. Customers who can pre-pay annually will receive a 15% discount. 

Because of incredible people like you, we will make it through this together! 

Steve 

If you are interested in securing our special rates on remote supports that will help you manage in these times, please email us at info@createabilityinc.com.

See the report at: https://www.ancor.org/newsroom/news/congressional-research-service-warns-some-states%E2%80%99-budget-reductions-during-covid-19 

The post CreateAbility’s Response to Budget Reductions During COVID-19 appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Using recent research and development efforts in other SBIR projects and integrating existing technology, the Rural-Health-Mate was the first affordable system designed specifically for rural seniors to positively impact their health and promote aging in place.  

The grant was issued to better monitor elderly clients in rural setting and allow for more transparency in daily living to positively affect: the higher incidence of diabetes and heart disease in rural elderly, improve lower-than-average health outcomes of rural elderly vs. urban counterparts, and conditions in rural America such as lower insurance coverage, financial circumstances of rural hospitals, federal rules regarding Medicare reimbursement rates, and too few health care resources that must cover a sparse and scattered population.  

The primary functions of Rural-Health-Mate technology was to:  

1) Provide a daily interaction between the senior and a key stakeholder. 
2) Assess fall risk and preventing falls.  
3) Coordinate services.  

4) Remotely monitor vital signs (blood pressure, weight and others as needed).  

5) Increase medication compliance.  

With the success of Rural-Health-Mate noted through USDA Phase 1 results, CreateAbility secured funding for Phase II which focused on utilizing the technology to extend access to healthcare for all people who will not travel into the city for necessary healthcare checkups.  

Today, the list of assessments provided by this avatar-led method of data collection (now called Evalu8NOW) has grown to include:  

Pain Assessment  
Opioid use 
Anger 
Mood (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) 
Alcohol and Substance Abuse 
Dyscontrol (Managing Emotions) 
Sleep 
Cognitive Function
Level of Disability (MPAI)
Social Isolation 
Vitals (BP, Weight, HR, Glucose / Blood Sugar, Pulse Ox) 
Activity level 
Diet/Nutrition 
Medication adherence 
Client satisfaction assessments  
Social Determinants of Health (food insecurity, etc.)

Evalu8NOW paves the way for additional research and development, such as the effect of isolation on the health and wellbeing of older adults. 

For more information on Evalu8NOW technology, out-of-the-box assessment solutions, or ways to customize Evalu8NOW technology to benefit your organization, please click here.  

The post Rural-Health-Mate appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Remote Supports can save organizations time and money. 

While the initial expense and funding of some remote supports can be a challenge; the long-term benefits of remote supports can provide a solid return-on-investment. First, it does allow Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to manage more people more effectively as they can, figuratively speaking, be in more than one place at a time.  In addition, some remote supports can lessen the need for DSP supervision; saving organizations thousands of dollars and increasing their bottom lines.  

Example: CreateAbility has a client that is looking to supplement 2 hours of DSP time per day with clients with remote supports for the purpose of re-allocating them to different tasks. They chose to replace 2-hour blocks of time in the morning or the afternoon (between shift changes) with MeMinder remote support technology. MeMinder sends alerts to clients and walks them through their responsibilities that take place during that time frame so they can accomplish them on their own.  A simple 2 hours saved per day across ten people, over a period of 12 months equated to (drumroll, please…) $153k.  (2 hours/day/client X $21/hour X 7 days / week X 52 weeks/year X 10 clients = $152,880/year) 

While remote supports are never meant to take the place of human interaction; they can bridge gaps in coverage and allow the clients to live more independently.  (Win-win!)  

Remote Supports provide continuity in uncertain or challenging times.  

In times such as these, when DSPs and Care Providers are unable to meet face-to-face with the people they serve – assistive tech helps bridge the communication gap. No matter the situation, remote support technology continues to assess the client’s activities, health, and well-being regardless of the inability to meet in person.  This allows the DSP to be flexible and responsive – and to continue to progress on the person’s care plan.  

Example:  Lock-down or quarantine requirements set for by the US Government for the reduction in transmission of Covid-19 has left Care Providers scrambling for ways to stay connected without face-to-face communication. Many who are equipped with assistive technologies obtain more continuity of care as data/feedback collection on the person’s care plan has already been implemented, adopted, and continues as normal. Specifically, CreateAbility’s avatalk facilitates remote communication by enabling each party to communicate in the way they each prefer.  

Remote supports play a large role in person-centered care plans.  

The ability to monitor clients ANY TIME and ANYWHERE has fostered the level of customization that care providers and job coaches need to optimize person-centered care plans. There are a lot of things that can happen between face-to-face visits that can set back the progress on goals or the well-being of the person being served. The higher degree of visibility that remote supports provide allow for quicker response to client needs. Care providers can view data/feedback from technology to take a more proactive role in achieving their goals, increasing client satisfaction, and warding off potential crises.   

For more information on how remote supports can benefit your organization, please contact info@createabilityinc.com.  

The post The Benefits of Remote Supports appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Since avatalk’s inception, it is being creatively utilized as a much broader method of communication than ever imagined. Here’s a look at how agencies and organizations are benefitting from avatalk over-and-above simple communications:

A Unique Platform to Inform the People You Serve 

Some long-term care facilities and group homes use avatalk to communicate important dates to their residents/clients. For example, Susan is a Community Activity Manager for her organization and hosts monthly activities and socials for her clients. Typically, she creates a bulletin board to make the announcement or hands out flyers. Many times, the announcements do not get seen by everyone and/or are thrown away; leaving clients uninformed and without reminders.

Today, Susan takes a picture of her bulletin board she created and sends it to her residents’ avatalk platform so that it will rotate through their daily picture show. She’s enjoyed the success of this platform so much that she also sends around fun messaging and inspirational messages!

Bridging Gaps in Remote Monitoring

There’s not a single remote monitoring system that surveys every aspect of your clients’ lives – nor would you want it to. With that, “gaps” are created that occasionally need addressed. For example, Debbie originally had 7 cameras installed but requested three of them be taken down as she felt they invaded her privacy. One of the cameras panned her bedroom. Her care provider noticed one morning that Debbie had not gotten out of bed so rather than being intrusive, the care provider quickly sent a message to Debbie and get the answer they need.

With avatalk, her care provider can quickly send out any question with up to 4 answers. In this instance, Debbie’s care provider asks, “Debbie, I noticed that you were still in bed today.  Are you feeling okay?”  Debbie doesn’t have to answer the phone; she can simply click on the “Yes” or “No” buttons and return to life-as-normal.

Staving Off Isolation (Especially in a Pandemic.)

Addressing isolation is key to staying mentally fit; but feeling “connected” is more challenging than ever. Long-term care facilities have all but ousted group activities and trips due to State mandates and to protect their clients.

avatalk’s picture show feature allows staff, family and friends the ability to take pictures anytime/anywhere of themselves, a special place, or something they’ve created and send it directly to their rolling picture show. People are getting creative with their submissions and clients are loving the connectedness they experience…even while inside their homes during the pandemic.

The versatility of the avatalk platform has afforded care providers the opportunity to utilize it over-and-above simple act of “checking in”.  They are using it to build relationships, communicate in their own voice, and reflect their own uniqueness and creativity.

How will YOU use avatalk?

Learn more about the multiple uses of avatalk here.

The post USE CASE: How Agencies are Utilizing avatalk Above-and-beyond Remote Communication appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Certainly, there is supporting evidence for this thinking; we see people almost daily who are not taking care of themselves, losing capacity and capability. But we also read about octogenarians completing marathons, or scaling Mount Everest. People late in life, yet sharp as ever, starting new things, leading breathtaking discoveries.

The point is, seeing anyone through any limiting lens is wrong, and robs us all of the ability to see someone’s inner beauty and value, and all of the things they have yet to accomplish.

It’s not an age, it’s a stage.  Some are lifelong learners who grow every day. Some maintain their earthly vessel way better (than I do); they can out box, out-think, out swim, and out run me. (The latter here actually causes me great envy!)

YOUR LIFE. It’s not about the quantity of years, It’s about the quality. And the ultimate goal is to love and be loved.

It’s not a sum, but how much you hum (your own song).

Not an integer, but how much you are a kindler of the flame in others.

Not an amount, but how you make every moment count.

Not about digits, but how much you push your own limits.

Get going – love, live, see the joy in others this season.

Merry Christmas,

Steve

The post A Word on Ageism from CreateAbility, Inc. President, Steven Sutter appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

As a member of a family where Parkinson’s is present, it can be very difficult to know what to do, say, or relate; not only to the one dealing with it, but with the rest of the family as well. Old tensions and strained relationships can be exacerbated, adding even more stress to the situation. The level of involvement and care provided by extended relatives and friends can come under scrutiny, while those closer to the one with Parkinson’s may feel like they have to deal with everything.

In times of stress and uncertainty, it’s important to remember that individual caretakers and families have options, informational resources and professional assistance available to them to help them distinguish the needs and provide an actionable plan of care.

ROADBLOCKS IN CARING FOR A PERSON WITH PARKINSON DISEASE

It’s very important, regardless of your situation, to create actionable steps. These can be as small as a weekly communications with family members or friends for moral support or as involved as planning medical appointments and care. But as the effects of Parkinson’s vary from day-to-day, it’s critical to be both flexible and forgiving of yourself when planning doesn’t always go favorably. A general plan, however, will help you have a foundation to return to, offer a degree of control and ward off additional stress.

3 Major issues that commonly cause stress in the family of a person with Parkinson’s are:

• lack of knowledge about Parkinson’s and the effects it can/will have on your loved one
• not enough communication and role assignments between the family members and caregivers
• overall lack of support from peers and friend groups

Every family will experience these issues differently and at different degrees. However, as a general rule, most of the struggles and strains that families face can fit into one of these three categories.

To help you effectively seek out assistance with all three of these challenges, CreateAbility has created this helpful list of resources that can provide information and direction for families of persons with Parkinson’s:

INFORMATION SOURCES:

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

National Parkinson Foundation

American Parkinson Disease Association

Parkinson Alliance

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Parkinson’s Research Organization

CAREGIVING FOR PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON DISEASE

My Parkinson’s: A support group for caregivers of people with Parkinson’s

A Place for Mom: Locator service for additional help of facilities that care for people with Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s Support Advocacy

Parkinson’s Disease: A Guide for Caregiving (Article)

PHYSICAL HEALTH RESOURCES

The Climb – Indiana Parkinson Foundation

Exercises for Parkinson’s: Balance Exercises – Video

Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s Disease Patients

The post Parkinson’s Disease: What to Expect and Where to Begin After Diagnosis appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

The need for this assistive technology is bore from years of government research that demonstrated that of the one million lower extremity joint replacements (LEJRs) performed each year, over 200,000 patients resided in rural areas and over half of the total number of LEJRs performed has surgeries performed at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The cost of these procedures for hospitalization alone cost the government over $9M per year and are expected to grow over 60% over the next decade. Meanwhile, the number of physical therapists needed to meet the rehab process requirements is set to increase by only 60% in this time frame; leaving a sizeable gap in the rehabilitation services needed to ensure proper recovery and that the Medicaid/Medicare funds were justifiable.

Rural patients (especially older adults) are at higher risk for an ineffective recovery from these surgeries due to lack of access to rehabilitation facilities, transportation, compliance enforcement, and inability to follow complex post-op rehabilitation instructions.
CreateAbility Concepts, Inc. was chosen by the USDA to receive a grant for the development of Mobility Coach, an assistive technology that will improve rural patient-provider interaction by post-surgery progress, monitoring physical therapy, and determining next steps to achieve the best possible outcomes for these rural patients. Patients will be armed with a device, software, appropriate monitors, and step-by-step visual demos that will:

• Provide daily exercise instruction to the patient
• Measure, record and report patient compliance data and pain medication usage
• Empower the patient to prescribe and push new exercises on prescribed basis
• Facilitate interactions between the patient and the PT in the form of Q & A’s as video     consultations

Phase One demonstrated the feasibility and utility of a prototype wearable sensor. Phase two milestones are currently under way and consist of the development of final requirements, enhance the Mobility Coach prototype design, perform extended field evaluations, and finally, develop the final software.

According to Steve Sutter, the principle investigator on the project, “Physical Therapists and Orthopedic Surgeons tell us repeatedly, that exercise post replacement is crucial to achieving the desired goal of pain free mobility and return to functionality. Mobility Coach measures the patient’s range-of-motion and number of reps completed. Results are presented to the patient, and the cloud for remote monitoring.”

Demonstration units will be shipping later this summer.

Mobility Coach, when launched, will be used by clinicians, physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons as an invaluable tool that will save time and money through faster recovery and reduction of expensive interventions. Mobility Coach will provide them with a high-level dashboard that will display the progress (or lack thereof) of all active patients, allow them to match methods to each patient individually, monitor and analyze predictive analysis, and initiate/answer questions in video visit sessions.

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About CreateAbility, Inc.

CreateAbility strives to improve the dignity, security, and quality of life for people who are trying to maintain varying degrees of independence, but who need assistive technologies. Our mission is to create innovative products that help them flourish beyond their current capability. Our interactive health and safety monitoring software solutions help caregivers deliver an affordable blend of care, 24/7 that nurtures independence.

We serve caregivers, agencies, and organizations devoted to helping older adults, people with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health issues.

About the USDA

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

Our strategic goals serve as a roadmap for the Department to help ensure we achieve our mission and implement our vision.

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For more information on this press release, please contact:

Kerri A. Pinger

Market & Sales Support Administrator

CreateAbility, Inc.

kerri@createabilityinc.com

The post CreateAbility, Inc. Enters Phase Two of Development on USDA Backed Mobility Coach appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Being a caregiver is a high-demand role, period. While most develop their daily to-do lists, carefully checking off items as they accomplish them; caregivers of consumers with intellectual disabilities, TBI’s, and dementia typically experience a higher degree of variation from day-to-day in correlation to the mental state, physical health, and mood of the person they care for. These changes require patience and adaptability that can cause exhaustion and fatigue in busy caregivers. In fact, Family Caregiver Alliance studies have documented that approximately 70% of caregivers report sleep problems, 60% report sleeping less than 7 hours, and 10-20% use alcohol or sleep medication to go to sleep.

Consumer’s Perspective

While we empathize for the caregivers need for self-care, the population of adults with intellectual disabilities who experience sleep deprivation is even greater than that of the general population. (Doran et al., 2006) Additionally, consumers with intellectual disabilities and dementia thrive in an environment where routine guides their daily responsibilities and stabilizes expectations. For dementia patients, consistent lack of sleep can decrease cognitive functioning and retention (Alzheimer’s Association) and for adults with intellectual disabilities, it impairs their ability to control emotions, attention, and motor skills.

When Sleep Deprivation Collides

When the caregiver has an “off” day with the person receiving care, and the daily to-dos are still there on the list waiting to be accomplished, it is commonplace to handle responsibilities in the time that the caregiver allotted for self-care and sleeping. In turn, the schedule of the person receiving care is off kilter, causing anxiety that, in turn, affects their ability to sleep.

Upon examination of the symptoms of sleep deprivation or unscheduled sleep time from both perspectives, it becomes evidently apparent that without a sufficient place and time to replenish the body’s need for rest – so as to lessen the odds for an “off” day. Ultimately, the culprit of the question, “Who’s inability to sleep is affecting this situation?” resembles the same answer to the question, “Which came first: the chicken or the egg?” (It doesn’t really matter; it is important for the BOTH of you.)

Increasing the Odds for Sleep Success

Below you will find some ways we recommend for creating a systematic approach to improved sleep habits:

Creating good sleep habits – The Basics: 

• Designate a routine sleep schedule and stick to it each night.
• Make the hour before you go to sleep your quiet time. (No TV or technology to allow your brain time to decompress.)
• Create an inviting bedroom space with little clutter and comfortable bedding to induce better sleep.
• Invest in light blocking shades so that you can sleep well at any, given time of the day. 

Embrace physiological rules for better sleep: 

• Avoid caffeine in all forms for at least three hours before going to sleep.
• Limit exposure to backlit screens for about an hour before going to sleep.
• Eat your heavier meals earlier in the day.
• Spend a set amount of time exercising and/or getting outside each time. Do avoid exercise too close to bedtime to allow physical adrenaline to subside.

Most importantly, make sleep a PRIORITY; not an option or variable in each day’s schedule. Scheduling/tracking your sleep are important factors for the health of both the person receiving care AND the caregiver. The power to make it happen, however, lies with the caregiver or the organization the caregiver works for.

If you are a caregiver would like information on how CreateAbility’s MeMINDER app can affordably and efficiently help you make (and keep) sleep a priority for both the caregiver and the consumer, click here.

The post The Cyclical Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Caregivers and Consumers appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Getting older can be beautiful and scary at the same time. As we age, we become more susceptible to mental and physical illnesses. As a senior, the importance of mental and physical health should not be lost on you. In fact, keeping your health in check can have numerous benefits – such as keeping you alive, healthy, happy, independent, and social longer than anticipated.

Ignoring your mental and physical health can be extremely dangerous, leading to serious mental disorders, such as depression and alcohol addiction, plus physical decline in a short period of time. Just an hour or two of focus each day can change everything, including your outlook on life. The five following benefits are associated with mental and physical health as a senior.

It lowers the risk of mental illness.

According to the World Health Organization, the risks associated with aging include neuropsychiatric and emotional disorders. About fifteen percent of adults over the age of sixty suffer from a mental illness. Maintaining your physical and emotional health on a regular basis will significantly lower this risk – keeping you healthy and happy for far longer than expected. Start with a daily walk or aerobics. You can also choose to see a counselor. All of these things will make a major difference in your future mental health.

Learn more about the symptoms of mental illness in older adults through A Place For Mom.

It increases overall life expectancy.

It’s not exactly a secret. The healthier you are, the longer you’ll live. Take the time to focus on your mental and physical health now, and you’ll have a longer future to enjoy. It may help to cater your exercises toward your hobbies. Do you enjoy swimming or nature? Do you have a friend that would like to exercise with you? Making physical exercise part of your day-to-day life will vastly improve your life expectancy and your daily happiness.

It decreases the need for a nursing home or retirement community.

The longer you stay happy and healthy, the longer you’ll be able to stay in your own home. Many senior citizens have no interest in leaving their place of residence – whether they’ve been there for five years, ten years, or even longer. Moving can be frustrating and cutting down on belongings can be difficult. Push the idea of a nursing home further into your future (or out of your mind) by putting an emphasis on physical and emotional health.

It encourages positive social behavior.

Have you been feeling lonely lately? Being active (both mentally and physically) can help improve your social skills, especially if you exercise in the same place each day. You’ll become familiar with the employees or residents around you, and you’ll also become closer to those who exercise with you. Join an aerobics class or choose a comfortable mall for walking each day. Positive social behavior can encourage stronger emotional health.

It stimulates the need for independence.

Do you value your independence? Many senior citizens do. Focusing on your mental and physical health will stimulate your need for independence, keeping you active and improving your outlook on life. It will also keep members of your family from assuming you can’t take care of yourself, should you choose to continue doing so. CreateAbility’s Independence Keeper can also provide support for you or your loved ones wherever they call home.

The more you know, the better your chances of maintaining a healthy present and future. Educate yourself on mental and physical health, in addition to finding new ways to grow. You’ll be glad you did.

For more information:

Find more ways to boost your mental health and well-being through Everyday Health.

Jason Lewis offers more information about mental health and aging at Life Senior Services.

The post Guest Post: The Importance of Mental and Physical Health in Senior Citizens appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Of course, with the challenges of home health care of seniors, it is no wonder that these seniors turn to technology as their only ticket to independent living. Gone are the days when we would worry about our elderly parents living by themselves. Now, we can simply check on their health status as technology aids us.

Naturally, with this increasing trend, seniors still find it themselves to be still within the loop. If technology can be easily accessed by the younger population, surely, seniors can handle technology as well?

As a result, seniors now purchase top-of-the-line gadgets like smart phones, tablet readers and portable laptops. Some of these seniors even kick it up a notch and decide to purchase gaming consoles. Truly, technology is slowly breaking the boundaries and making seniors more adaptive to their environment.

But then, do these senior citizens take the time to actually learn about these gadgets? While a lot of technological breakthroughs have been beneficial to seniors in terms of rehabilitation and treatment, there is no guarantee that anything a senior citizen wishes to buy will be conducive for his wellness, unless he chooses to learn about it.

With that in mind, seniors should keep in mind the following tips for seniors to work well with technology.

Get connected because seniors love to, not because they need to.

A lot of seniors face the pressure to be connected to social media platforms. Usually, this pressure is due to the coaxing of their kids who want to connect with them digitally.

While it is nice for a senior citizen to set up a Facebook or a Twitter profile, he should first examine his reason for connecting on the web. Does he really want to get in touch with the people he cares about? Or does he do it just to get his kids off his back?

Knowing the reason for using technology is important because the reason has to be powerful enough for the senior to push through with the learning process. As long as the seniors who use technology learn about it in order for them to message their loved ones easily, you can be sure that they will be more than willing to learn.

 Be willing to invest for convenience.

Senior citizens should do well and not dwell on the price of the gadget. More often than not, a lot of cheap gadgets are alright, but they are not necessarily the best.

Seniors should go ahead and skip on asking about the price – they should focus on the features of the gadget instead. Will it be convenient to use? Is it senior-friendly? Is it convenient? Does it have ease of access features? Will it still be around for the long term?

Ask advice from the best resources – the senior citizen’s family.

 Usually, it’s better for a senior to ask a family to help him up in setting up his gadget. Talking to customer representatives is a bit difficult because these agents follow a script – sometimes, these scripts can’t be customized to be understood by the older generation.

Find a teenager who can explain it in simpler terms. Don’t be afraid to ask for their explanation and advice – they are your family.

Yes, technology exists and it is interesting to dabble in it. At the end of the day, what really matters is if a senior was able to learn how to use it for his advantage.

The post Seniors and Technology: 3 Tips to make it Happen appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.