It increases data integrity.  
When engaging in an in-person survey, the people taking the assessment tend to “filter” their answers to please (or not upset) the survey administrator. In written surveys, the survey recipient may become overwhelmed, challenged, or bored with the test-taking process and answer hastily in order to finish.  

Avatar-led assessments provide a neutral environment for people to focus on the question at hand and answer in an honest manner without any hesitations or fears. Also, studies have shown that self-reported daily data is more reliable because there is less reliance on the memory of the person served. 

It increases data collection consistency and efficacy. 
Assessments/surveys are administered in the same methodology each-and-every time they are given. There are no changes in tone or inflection therefore, providing a less leading and more unbiased method for disseminating critical questions to the people you serve.   

This translates to more accurate results that opens the door for higher quality person-centered care planning, as well as better organizational management.  
 
It’s less intrusive to the person being served.  
When the person being served is trying to achieve more independence, another check-in or questionnaire might become both taxing and intrusive into their daily lives.   

Avatar-led assessments can simply “pop up” during the course of their day or week – and not feel less like supervision or a chore.   
 
Its customization features make it more accessible to a wider audience.  
For those who tend to get agitated with certain conditions or people, avatar-led assessments allow for the person being served to voice their opinion on when they prefer to take their survey as well as who administers it.  Having the ability to customize their avatar lessens their agitation with the survey and increases their engagement. For those who have autism, avatars are available that do not make eye contact with the test-taker and as the avatar speaks the survey and answer options, they can also be a great option for those who struggle with reading or have vision challenges.  

While real people cannot be replaced by technology in the overall care of people with intellectual developmental disabilities, you can most certainly bring in artificial intelligence to bridge gaps in the care/safety plans of the individuals served.  

Learn more about the wide range of avatar-led assessments available to your organization here.  

The post The Benefits of Avatar-Led Data Collection 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.