1. Product effectiveness.
   When something is evidence-based, that means the need has been established through rigorous research and the end-product has been tested multiple times to ensure it achieves positive outcomes toward the challenge it set out to solve.
   
   
2. Credibility.
   Most of CreateAbility’s apps have been subsidized with grants funded by large-scale government entities. These entities require extensive reporting and testing to fund development of projects – which equates to third-party validation for the end-users. 
   
   
3. Informed-decision making.
   Evidence-based enabling technologies solve a challenge and in the testing process, demonstrate the potential benefits, limitations and risks associated with a technology. This allows providers the ability to make more informed decisions about the products they are purchasing.
   
   
4. Lower costs.
   With evidence-based technology solutions, the coding and development of a solution is covered in part by the government entities that backed them. The end-product generally reflects prices that are more discounted as development and coding costs were not as steep for the creator.
   
   
5. Commitment to product evolution.
   When an enabling technology solution has the desired outcomes, government entities often provide continued grants for continual development. This translates to an evolution of the original product; providing upgrades and added features to benefit both providers and the individuals they serve. 

Learn more about our evidence-based research that goes into CreateAbility’s enabling technology for seniors, people with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injuries here.

Also, take a look at a few of our case studies by clicking here.

The post Why It’s Important to Choose Evidence-Based Enabling Technology appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

Here are a few ways that data can be used to enhance person-centered planning:

1. Data provides a holistic view of the individual served.  
   Collecting and analyzing data about the person’s interests, goals, abilities, and challenges can help create a more complete view of who they are and what motivates/demotivates them. This information can then be used to develop plans that better encompass the person’s unique needs.
   
   For the care provider/job coach, the data they receive can help them determine high vs. low needs individuals and ultimately, help them allocate their resources more effectively.
   
   
2. Using data to track progress and setbacks
   Data can be used to monitor progress towards achieving goals and objectives. This can help identify what elements of a person-centered plan are working, where they may be able to fade from human support.
   
   Additionally, data can also help you determine what areas of their care need adjusted and/or call for additional support.
   
   
3. Identification of trends
   Analyzing data across multiple individuals over time can reveal patterns and trends that can be used to continue customization of an individual’s person-centered plan. In this process, data reveals critical information that allows care providers and job coaches to step in with additional communications, tools or support to ward off crises before they happen.
   
   Data (as a way to identify trends) is the main ingredient in taking your provider agency from reactive management to proactive management of the people you serve. 
   
   
4. Informed decision-making = more positive outcomes
   Similarly, data provides a higher level of visibility into the lives of the individuals served.
   As care providers and job coaches leverage data to understand the people they serve better, monitor their individuals more effectively and identify trends in their behaviors – person-centered plans become more honed-in. As person-centered plans become more honed-in – outcomes improve. (Simple as that!)

CreateAbility has been helping organizations who work with individuals with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injuries leverage the power of data to not only survive – but THRIVE. (Yes, even in times like these!)

Click here to schedule a live demo of our enabling technology solutions.

The post How Data Improves Person-centered Plans appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.

When the Flourish person-centered care planning app was created, our team considered both critical factors for goal-achieving success in the development of the app:

Those using Flourish use it to convey what motivates them, what they like, what their goals are and how to best work with them, increasing the awareness of their support system and hence, their odds for success. It keeps their goals in the form of a vision board they carry in their pocket each day to encourage them – but stays focused on more succinct steps needed to achieve their goals so they don’t become overwhelmed. 

Setting short, mid, and long-term goals as “stairsteps” to the end-goal makes success more realistic and achievable. It keeps individuals in line with what they need to do each-and-every day to get to the bigger goal, tomorrow. Involving others (support staff) increases accountability as they track progress toward each step of achievement. Finally, noting and celebrating the milestones along the way makes the journey much less taxing for everyone involved.

You see, Flourish includes both important ingredients in the secret sauce of goal-achieving success: 

Positive psychology:  What makes me…ME? What are my goals and why?  How am I going to get there? (And working together with support staff in clearly defining these factors.)

Tracking:  Breaking goals into more succinct steps, tracking and viewing progress, celebrating accomplishments, and experiencing the intrinsic value of achieving intended goals.

Better yet, the outcomes are just as positive for support staff members; improving staff/client relationships, streamlining person-centered planning, and affording them the ability to pull necessary documentation for annual reporting.

If you want to talk about ways to improve person-centered care plans for the people you serve, don’t hesitate to reach out to me/us!

If you want to talk about weight loss, you’ll have to hold your horses – I’m still working on it!

Until next time,

Kerri

The post Two Key Ingredients in Successful Person-Centered Care Plans appeared first on CreateAbility Inc.