Agreement makes it easier for PACE organizations across the country to implement GrandPad telehealth solutions that engage older patients in their care while protecting them from COVID-19
GrandPad, creator of the first purpose-built tablet for people over the age of 75, announced today that it has been named the preferred telehealth provider for the National PACE Association. The agreement makes it easier for individual PACE organizations nationwide to implement GrandPad telehealth solutions, which allow older patients to engage in virtual care in a safe, simple, and reliable format.
PACE organizations provide primary, acute, and long-term care services to 54,000 individuals at 263 locations in 31 states. PACE participants are at least 55 years old and have been certified to need nursing home care. Most are at elevated risk of complications from COVID-19 due to age or underlying medical conditions, and many may be isolated from friends and family as a result of the pandemic, putting them at risk of additional health problems.
“Telehealth solutions are not new for the senior population, but most devices are built with the clinician in mind and are unwieldy for users, leading to poor adoption and long-term engagement,” said Scott Lien, co-founder and CEO of GrandPad. “In addition, traditional telehealth often requires internet access, which is another challenge for PACE participants and seniors, in general. GrandPad removes these and other physical barriers that seniors experience with technology and provides an interaction that goes beyond clinical to create social connections that foster improved health and well-being.”
GrandPad has already partnered with several PACE organizations to provide telehealth services, which have experienced positive, early outcomes. For example, at PACE Southeast Michigan, users register an average of 2,000 taps on their GrandPad screen each week, with some superusers registering 40,000 or more taps. In Washington, Providence PACE has used GrandPads for clinical visits, but also scheduled a calendar of video-based social activities including Bingo, worship services, and yoga classes.
“GrandPad created a device that aligns so perfectly with the mission and goals of the PACE organization that they might as well have developed it specifically with PACE in mind. GrandPad has helped us keep seniors safe and stable, and it has become an essential part of the way we operate,” said Beth Schultz, director of operations at Providence PACE. “The true beauty of this partnership has been the doors it has opened for the creative people on our staff to develop new ways to serve our participants.”
PACE provides participants, who average 76 years old, with services including primary health care, physical and occupational therapy, home care coordination, and transportation. PACE services help reduce hospitalization rates, ER visits, and hospital readmission for participants.
“PACE is built on the philosophy that it is better for the well-being of seniors to be served in the community whenever possible, but COVID-19 has forced us to adapt our methods to care for our participants without putting them or our clinicians at unnecessary risk,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO, National PACE Association. “GrandPad has a demonstrated ability to provide a rich telehealth experience that serves both clinicians and patients, and this agreement will make it easier for our PACE organizations to implement solutions that enhance their offerings and help them better serve their communities.”