A Grand Plan for Grander Care- LMC Biz Buzz Company: GrandCare Systems
Born between 1946 and 1964, the Baby Boomer generation came along right after WWII. They make up about 26% of the entire United States population, a number that is only matched by Millenials. They own the majority of the homes in the United States and, in fact, usually own more than one property. With such numbers, boomers are determined to change the way we age in America. They will not settle for the care and surroundings that their own parents received. The boomers want to remain independent and in their own homes.
In a world of Uber, GrubHub, and Amazon, at-home caregiving and independence-enabling services will be the “go to” for our aging neighborhoods. GrandCare Systems, located in the heart of downtown West Bend, has been on the cutting edge of the digital caregiving bubble since the late 2000s. We had a chance to sit down with co-founding members, Charlie and Gaytha Hillman to find out more.
“If our healthcare system and caregiving methods continue in this way, the cost of my generation’s care will bankrupt our grandchildren and great grandchildren,” says Charlie. “I wanted to be a part of the solution, and I think GrandCare can play a significant role in changing the way caregiving services are delivered.”
“We were a disruptive era of fashion, music and raising kids. Now it only makes sense that we will redefine the way we choose to age,” adds in Gaytha. “We aren’t going to stand by and simply allow things to happen to us. We will use home health care technology like GrandCare to stay at home for longer.”
The Hillmans have spent a majority of their lives in West Bend and serving the greater community in various business and volunteering positions. Charlie grew up in West Bend. His father, Larry was an engineer at the West Bend Company. His mother, Helen (known to her students as “The Frau”) taught German. In fact, it was Helen who introduced Charlie and Gaytha. After Gaytha graduated from UW-Madison, she relocated to West Bend to student teach German classes under Helen. Charlie had been in Boston attending MIT, but happened to be home for a semester with mono. Helen arranged for the two to meet and the rest is history!
Charlie and Gaytha spent a few years in the early 80s in California when Charlie was recruited for computer engineering work in Silicon Valley. In 1984, the Hillmans came back to West Bend to start up Hillman Consulting, a CAD/CAM and computer consulting company. Gaytha and Helen also founded West Bend Travels in the old Geib Hotel (now home to Alexssa). Charlie and Gaytha later formed HNET, the first Internet Service Provider in the county. GrandCare being their latest venture, and it is truly a family affair. In 2005, their daughter Laura and her husband Nick moved back from Minneapolis, to round out the founding team of GrandCare.
GrandCare was created to help seniors–even those in rural, isolated areas–maintain independence and stay healthier, happier and safer at home. It also gives family members peace-of-mind knowing that their aging loved ones are doing well at home.
The idea for GrandCare came to Charlie when he was visiting his great great Aunt Clara, who lived in a cottage on the Hillman’s property. She would come to their house twice a day for meals, but the Hillmans were not often at her cottage. On a cold January day, she called Charlie saying she was cold. He headed right over and saw that the windows were wide open. Apparently, she had opened the windows after smelling a “burning smell.” He went into the basement and saw that the furnace was literally on fire. Later, he would find out that she had heard clanging sounds in the basement and a beeping noise for days, but didn’t know what it was. “I didn’t want to be a bother,” was Aunt Clara’s response as to why she hadn’t let anyone know sooner.
Charlie knew there had to be others experiencing the worry and stress he was. He searched for existing products and came up with nothing. He put his engineering mind and MIT education to good use and decided to design a technology to provide remote monitoring capabilities and enhanced communications between the loved one and family members. GrandCare is available not only for use in the United States, but internationally in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Aruba, Bermuda and New Zealand.
The system can be used in both single-family homes or in senior living communities. GrandCare is a large touchscreen that is placed into the loved one’s residence. It is a source of information and communication with pictures, videos, games, trivia, weather/news, simple video chatting and reminders. Caregivers can simply log in or check the GrandCare app to add communications or check on activity, medications or health readings.They can also get alerts if something seems amiss (e.g. didn’t take medications, blood pressure is too high, didn’t get out of bed, or isn’t moving around normally). GrandCare requires zero computer knowledge on the senior’s part.
Are you reading this article and interested in learning more about GrandCare? GrandCare has a special discount just for you. Use BIZBUZZ and receive a 15% discount on your GrandCare System.
The Hillmans still continue to be active in the greater community of West Bend and have participated in many charitable organizations including COLUMNS, the Washington County Campus Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church, the Volunteer Center, the Oz/Wash County Land Trust, Friends of Sculpture, Riveredge Nature Center, School Board, the West Bend Chamber of Commerce, Noon Rotary, to name just a few. Charlie and Gaytha co-chaired the United Way fundraising campaign with record-breaking results and have been recipients of various service awards including the Cliff Nelson Volunteer Award and the Volunteer Center Dynamic Duo.
Just one of the features of the GrandCare system
Find more information on GrandCare either through their website: grandcare.com or their Facebook or Instagram pages: @GrandCareSystems info@grandcare.com 262-338-6147
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GrandCare can make a real difference in the lives of remote caregivers and the seniors they love. Consulting with the elderly person’s physician about the viability of aging in place with such a system is a good first step.