| v Home v About Us v Contact Us | |||
| ElderCare - Frequently Asked Questions | |||
|
. . . and a little bit more |
|||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ElderCare is an automated and telephone-based monitoring and assurance service that calls automatically to check upon the well-being, safety, and security of our senior members--one, few, or many times per day.
ElderCare is directed toward helping seniors maintain their independence and remain in their homes longer without concerns over response to issues involving their well-being, safety, and security.
ElderCare is an affordable alternative to long-term care facilities or expensive, in home, companion care. Many of our seniors could not afford either expense and do not qualify for Medicaid, those we consider to be trapped in the no care zone.
ElderCare is a completely automatic and user friendly service that calls members, periodically, according to a schedule from menu-driven options selected by the senior, family, or caregivers.
ElderCare calls the member one, few, or many times per day to check upon their well-being, safety, and security. When a senior enrolls in ElderCare, they--or their caregivers--select a method for the telephone-based, automatic monitoring. There are three types of ElderCare monitoring programs:
1) The primary method in which ElderCare calls the member,
2) The method for those who only want to call ElderCare to check in according to their varying schedule,
3) A combination of the first two methods in which ElderCare may make certain scheduled calls and the member will call at other times.
The principal reason for the call is to determine if the member requires assistance.
The automated call to the senior will request the senior to press various keys on the telephone keypad as an indication of their state of welfare or requirement for assistance.
The action taken by ElderCare is dependent upon the response to the call from the member and is also driven by choices during enrollment. If a normal--or anticipated--response is received from the senior, then the system will proceed to the next scheduled event.
If an abnormal response is received from the senior--including no response--which may indicate the need for assistance, then ElderCare will automatically and immediately inform the members social support group (family, friends, neighbors, caregivers)--through all available means, including voice notification--that the senior did not respond appropriately, or in the anticipated manner.
ElderCare continues to send automated notifications to the members support group until one of them indicates acceptance of responsibility for responding to the member's request for assistance.
ElderCare will send another notification to the member's caregivers requesting continuation of normally schedule events or requesting that the caregiver provide amplifying information to ElderCare--either online or by phone--regarding resumption of normal service.
•ElderCare serves the interests of several groups:
Seniors. First, and foremost, are the seniors, who may have enrolled in ElderCare for a variety of reasons, such as preserving an independent lifestyle while ensuring that others will be notified if they require assistance. ElderCare promotes a sense of welcomed responsibility in which the senior can provide assurance of enhanced well-being, safety, and security to themselves and others.
Family. AARP reports that there are more than 50 million uncompensated family caregivers in the United States--with a large number of them dedicated to caring for elder family members. Despite their loving concern for their family members--who choose to live independently--they have their own lives and other responsibilities. ElderCare provides peace-of-mind and a manner for family members to go about their lives, in a guilt-free manner, while having the assurance that if their loved-one requires assistance, they will be notified.
Neighbors. Many people depend upon the good nature of their neighbors to check on their welfare and to assist them with the requirements of daily living. Responsibility for being a good neighbor runs in both directions. ElderCare allows the senior to receive assistance, when required, but not to be a burden.
Friends. One of the best ways to keep friends as friends is not to impose on them irresponsibly. ElderCare permits seniors to keep their friends informed--so that they can provide assistance, if required--but to avoid imposing any sense of guilt upon them if they do not constantly check on the senior.
Personal Physician. Some seniors have medical conditions that warrant informing their personal physicians if they require assistance. Physicians can be added to the list of people to be notified, of course, with their permission.
Society. We have an enormous, and growing, senior segment of our society. That segment will require increased assistance during the aging process. Costs of health care and long-term care are rising rapidly--with no sign of slowing down. Those costs are rising during a period in which the number of physicians and other healthcare professionals that are dedicated to the aging population are declining. Further exacerbating the situation is that tightening of immigration laws is also eliminating a large portion of the affordable companion services that are available. Many seniors are faced with impoverishment to meet the requirements of Medicaid so that they can be institutionalized as their only hope for care. Society will have to bear those costs. ElderCare provides a very sensible and affordable way to promote independent living and to allow a portion of our seniors to remain in their homes and in their communities for longer periods of time.
4. What are the benefits of ElderCare?
The benefits of ElderCare are manifold. Probably the most important benefit to seniors is that ElderCare provides them with a sensible, affordable, and easy-to-use service to help maintain an independent lifestyle.
ElderCare is an affordable alternative to to expensive long-term care facilities and in-home companion care for those who require only simple monitoring and occasional assistance to maintain well being.
In ElderCare, one size does not fit all; the ElderCare service is tailored to the senior's requirements by the senior or caregivers.
ElderCare provides a vehicle to express independence, maintain dignity, and accept responsibility for their well-bring.
ElderCare provides peace-of-mind to senior members and their family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers.
5. What geographic areas does ElderCare cover?
Delivery of the ElderCare service is currently possible throughout the United States and Canada. We plan to expand the service to international locations.
•
ElderCare works via continuously available, and redundant, computer servers that are dedicated to the automated ElderCare service. There are three types of ElderCare monitoring programs:
1) The primary method in which ElderCare calls the member,
2) A secondary method for those who only want to call ElderCare to check in according to their schedule,
3) A combination of the first two methods in which ElderCare may make certain scheduled calls and the member will call at other times.
ElderCare will call (or anticipate calls from) the member one, few, or many times per day according to the schedule established for the member at the time of enrollment. Each time, ElderCare will inquire regarding the need for assistance. If the member does not require assistance, then the service will proceed to the next scheduled event.
If ElderCare is scheduled to receive a call from a member and the member does not call, then ElderCare will call the member.
If the member does not respond, then ElderCare will notify the member's support group.
Once ElderCare attempts to contact the member's support group, ElderCare will continue to call until it reaches a member of that support group and someone answers and agrees to respond to the member's request for assistance.
7. How many times a day will ElderCare call me?
The choice is yours. ElderCare is designed to call members up to six times per day. By special arrangements, additional calls can be placed for such things as medication reminders.
The frequency and timing of calls to members is determined by a menu-driven enrollment process in which seniors--or caregivers--make selections according to their needs.
8. What if I am too sick to answer the telephone?
ElderCare operates under the assumption that if you are too ill to answer the phone, then you also require assistance.
Dependent upon the choices that you make at time of enrollment, ElderCare may call you a second--or maybe even third time--prior to taking any action. There may be times when a member is unavailable for other reasons, such as in the midst of showering or some other important task. The schedule is determined by the member. If, however, your instructions are being followed--and you do not answer the telephone--the family, neighbors, friends, and caregivers that your designated will be informed that you are not responding to your scheduled call.
9. What if I need emergency assistance?
If you require emergency assistance, and you can use your telephone, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
ElderCare is not intended as a replacement for 9-1-1 emergency reporting and response systems and those systems should always be used to summon emergency assistance.
Not all requirements for assistance are emergency requirements. More important, 9-1-1 systems never call anyone to determine if they need assistance. ElderCare bridges those gaps to ensure that assistance is summoned regardless of the type required. ElderCare will respond to three levels of requirements for assistance and provide appropriate notification to family, neighbors, friends, and caregivers:
-
Emergency assistance
-
Immediate assistance
-
Routine assistance
If you require assistance, follow these procedures according to your situation:
-
If ElderCare calls, and you can answer the phone, respond to the questions from ElderCare.
-
ElderCare will ask if you require assistance.
-
If you indicate that you need assistance, ElderCare will ask if you require emergency assistance.
-
If you require emergency assistance, you will then be prompted to press the number 9 button on your telephone keypad and your caregivers will be notified that you require emergency assistance.
-
If you require immediate assistance--but not emergency assistance--you will be prompted to press an alternate button on your keypad and your caregivers will be notified of your requirement for immediate assistance.
-
If you require routine assistance, you will be prompted to press an alternate button on your keypad and your caregivers will be notified of your requirement for routine assistance.
-
There is a measure of comfort for caregivers in knowing that you require their assistance, but that it is not an emergency.
-
If you cannot, or do not, answer the phone for a scheduled ElderCare call, you are assured that ElderCare will notify your caregivers that you did not respond to your scheduled call and that they should check to see if you require assistance.
10. Who gets notified if I require assistance?
ElderCare will notify up to six people automatically, by telephone, and through several additional methods. Those people will be identified at the time of enrollment and may be changed by anyone authorized to make changes to a member's account. Nobody can, independently, demand to be notified unless properly authorized.
11. Who determines who gets notified?
The member--or the member's designated representative--decides who will be notified and whether they are notified simultaneously or sequentially.
12. Will ElderCare notify family members who do not live close to me?
ElderCare will notify whoever is specified by you or your representative--anywhere within the United States or Canada. ElderCare plans to extend that notification capability to international locations.
13. What are my daily obligations as an ElderCare Member?
Members do not take on any additional obligations as a result of enrollment in ElderCare. You--and your caregivers--will want to select a monitoring schedule that fits with your lifestyle and schedule. If you know that you are not going to be home at the time of a scheduled call, you should call ElderCare to notify the system so that your caregivers do not receive notifications that you did not respond.
14. What are the daily obligations of my family or caregiver?
Caregivers, family, friends, and neighbors of ElderCare members to not take on any additional obligations as a result of the senior's enrollment in ElderCare. In fact, they may have greater peace-of-mind knowing that there is a system that will continually check on the member and advise them if there is a requirement for assistance.
Many caregivers--even those who are unrelated to the senior and uncompensated for their services--express feelings of guilt when they cannot be available to tend to seniors. ElderCare should provide them with greater flexibility and assurance regarding the well-being of their senior.
Enrollment in ElderCare by the senior is also an act of responsibility by the member--one that displays gratitude for the contribution of others--and allows the member to express independence, accept personal responsibility and preserve their dignity.
15. Are there physical/mental limitations to the use of ElderCare?
Not, generally, for anyone who would enroll in the service. If an individual is aware of their status, can answer the phone, and respond to questions, ElderCare can be of assistance.
16. How do I enroll in ElderCare?
You can enroll in ElderCare online by clicking here or on the Enrollment tab in the menu on the top left-hand side of this page. Additionally, you can enroll, by phone, by calling 1 800 548-9687, or by mail by clicking here or on the Contact Us icon on the top right hand side of this page to request enrollment forms.
17. What are the costs associated with ElderCare?
There is only one cost associated with ElderCare--and that is the monthly fee. There is no equipment to buy or install and no registration fee.
The monthly fee for ElderCare--if paid by the month--is $39.95.
Discounts are available: pre-payment of the monthly fee for one year lowers the fee to $34.95 per month, and pre-payment for two years reduces the fee to $29.95 per month. That's peace-of-mind for less than a dollar per day! See Special Pricing for the pricing chart and current special offerings.
18.
How does
ElderCare compare with alternatives?
•There are no known alternatives to ElderCare that offer the same service.
Various Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS--commonly known as the “I’ve fallen and can’t get up” button ) exist in the marketplace. The usually take the form of pendants worn around the neck or devices strapped to the wrist.
PERS devices are used by approximately 1.2 million individuals in the US and they are responsible for successfully responding to the needs of their users on a daily basis.
One of the problems with PERS is that people often forget to wear them--or purposely avoid wearing them. If they fall in one room and the PERS device is on the dresser in the other room, it's not much help. The PERS device does not know if a person has fallen unless the person is wearing it and activates it--although some improved devices have switches that can be automatically activated in the event of a fall--but they must be worn. If some event renders the person unconscious, and they cannot activate the button, there is no response.
The fees charged by the most reputable companies are approximately equal to those of ElderCare. In general, those devices, and their accompanying call centers, do not provide automatic and instantaneous voice notifications.
We believe that ElderCare is an improvement on PERS devices and, more important--unlike ElderCare--no PERS device ever calls anyone to check on them!
ElderCare was also designed to respond to market expansion and the requirement to provide consumer-level monitored care--such as automated collection and reporting of vital signs and other medical indicators directly to physicians.
19. What are the methods of payment for ElderCare?
Payments for ElderCare can be made by credit or debit card, direct deduction from bank accounts, through PayPal, Verisign, or Bill Me Later. Click here or on the Enrollment tab in the menu on the top left-hand side of this page to view forms of payment and to determine the information required to arrange payment.
20. Are there discounts available?
Discounts are available: pre-payment of the monthly fee for one year lowers the fee to $34.95 per month, and pre-payment for two years reduces the fee to $29.95 per month. That's peace-of-mind for less than a dollar per day! See Special Pricing for the pricing chart and current special offerings.
21. Will Medicare or Medicaid cover the costs of ElderCare?
Those costs are not currently covered, but ElderCare and other businesses are lobbying the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to have the expenses of home monitoring services covered by CMS. Additionally, there are some Federal and State cooperative programs that may pay for ElderCare--either directly or indirectly--in the relatively near future.
22. What happens if I go on vacation?
If you are going on vacation, you have two choices. You can choose to have the ElderCare service provided through an alternative telephone number, or you can temporarily suspend your service. Whatever you choose to do, simply notify ElderCare and we will take the appropriate action to assist you.
23. What if I go to stay with a relative for a while?
If you are going to stay with a relative for a while, you have two choices. You can choose to have the ElderCare service provided through an alternative telephone number, or you can temporarily suspend your service. Whatever you choose to do, simply notify ElderCare and we will take the appropriate action to assist you.
24. Do I still have to pay for my ElderCare service if I am away?
If you are going to be away for a lengthy period--and you do not want the ElderCare service to contact you at another number--simply inform ElderCare. Your service will be temporarily suspended and will resume at the date you specify. You will not be charged during the period of suspended service.
25. What if I don't want ElderCare anymore?
If you do not want the ElderCare service, simply notify ElderCare. Your service will be canceled and, if your account is pre-paid, you will receive a refund for the unused period.
26. Who do I call if my ElderCare service does not work properly?
If you are having problems with your ElderCare service, please call 1 800 548-9687.
27. Does ElderCare belong to the Better Business Bureau?
Yes. Daedalus Health Information Systems, Inc. is a member of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Washington, DC. ElderCare is committed to reliable, trustworthy, and ethical business practices. Better Business Bureau membership is a trusted and respected manner of demonstrating that commitment.
28. What is the no care zone that you reference?
We refer to many seniors as being trapped in the no care zone.
Our interpretation applies to those seniors who, in general, are characterized by the following four conditions and would, therefore, receive enormous benefit from the ElderCare service.
-
Seniors who did not have the opportunity--for whatever reasons--to acquire long-term care insurance,
-
Seniors who do not want to--or cannot afford to--pay for a long-term care facility,
-
Seniors who do not want to--or cannot afford to--pay for in-home companion care,
-
Seniors who have too many assets to qualify for Medicaid.
Seniors in the no care zone are faced with difficult--and costly--choices when they consider the best way of maintaining their independence and assuring their well-being, safety, and security. ElderCare provides an affordable solution for them, their loved-ones, and their caregivers.