who uses grandcare?

Jude Harper's Story - Part 2 - Value of Awareness

I am the oldest of 2 sons. I was born in Greece as my father served in the US Navy. My mom, a housewife most of her life, changed her course and is now a Doctor and Professor with a masters in Education Technology. Dad runs a large electrical contracting and telecommunications contracting company in NY.

Both of my parents are nearing 60. Neither one of them grew up with computers and technology as a vital tool in their lives. As you may realize by her professional designation, Mom has shifted her ways and has become technology savy. But Dad, he is a one finger typer when it comes to using a computer. And although he understands and recognizes the value of technology in the business world, he would shy away from it except for emailing and web browsing for the latest rock concert he wanted to attend.

Upon a recent doctor's visit, Dad was informed that there are signs that his blood pressure may begin to need medication to stabilize.

After multiple family discussions, I was unaware of, and the realization that GrandCare is where the medical home for those aging in place is headed. Dad surprisingly called me up out of the blue one day and said “son I want GrandCare” so I can be more aware and understand my personal health proactively.

This was a complete shock to me. Not because my Dad wants a GrandCare system, but because he realized that this is a great way for him and his doctor to better understand what is the best treatment for him. Even though he really is healthy. Dads plan is rather simple, and may not be like some of our other clients who may also consider GrandCare.

Every day, dad wakes and takes his blood pressure. Every day he gets home from work he takes his blood pressure. He makes care notes on his PC for himself as about what dosage and type of medication he was taking that week and also notes about what he was eating, and any other related notes that may be relevant when he sees any changes in his readings.

Dad is not overweight, but also uses the scale to register his weight with the GrandCare system. This will be good for the post holiday season for sure!

In summary, here is dads plan. To not wait until it is too late and the only option is a reactive treatment option. He wants to share the information available in his GrandCare system about his health with his doctor. Dad has two ways to share this information. Dad can print the graphs that GrandCare stored and bring them with him when he goes to the doctor or allow the doctor to access this in lieu of having to go to his office.

The added benefit my family is seeing in GrandCare is that Mom, we call her Doc Mom, is now using the GrandCare system to help her shed off a few pounds. Since it is just too easy to step on the GrandCare scale and walk away every morning.

Mom is using GrandCare in a way I am sure it was not intended to be used. Mom is using GrandCare as a motivator to go to the gym after work. She logs into the system and looks at her weight graph after a long day prior to leaving. Because she can see her weight and how well she is doing or not doing in an easy to read graph. She swears it is a great motivational and focus tool. I say silly but true.

In closing, these are the stories I wanted to share. There are many more as you can see. One thing for sure is that, until we as a family learned of this product, we did not understand the real world benefits and value behind proactive self health assessment and monitoring.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the hospital. I broke my collarbone riding my motocross bike, so I had to have some precautionary tests done. I was ok physically, but bored. My cell phone did not work. Up on the wall of my room was a TV, too bad I couldn’t borrow dads GrandCare for a day or two and plug it in here so they could say hello, send a few pics, and tell me when they would be here with my Starbucks passion tea!