Tag Archive for: RCube

Heat Waves and Senior Housing

When the outside temperature rises, it’s not only an inconvenient situation. Heat waves can be deadly to older and more vulnerable residents.

This lesson was driven home starkly in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Florida, where nine residents died after losing power in their nursing community.

It doesn’t take a catastrophic hurricane to make heat a deadly problem for seniors. Nearly 400 Americans die from heat waves each year. “Most of them are elderly people who often don’t realize when they are overheating and in danger.” (agingcare.com)

This is an awesome responsibility that falls on senior communities, to prevent and respond to a potential temperature increase, even if the resident doesn’t realize the danger or severity of the situation.

RCare Temperature Sensors (TS9 and TS9E) to mitigate the danger of heat waves to seniors

RCare’s temperature sensors

Nurse Call Systems have come a long way in the past few decades. Caregiving staff are expected to do far more than simply respond to button and pull cord alerts. They need to be aware if a resident is in a dangerous environment, without the resident having to do anything. The technology needs to enable better, faster, and more predictive care.

That’s why RCare’s nurse call systems have gone above and beyond, to integrate passive environmental sensors, such as temperature and flood detecting sensors. RCare’s temperature devices will detect when temperatures are rising and start sending out alerts to designated caregiving team members. RCare allows for a quick intervention, before the situation becomes a crisis.

Passive sensors are an important part of a complete nurse call system. RCare is the provider of advanced wireless nurse call systems for senior communities across the senior care continuum. With the integration of temperature sensors, water sensors, and other environmental sensors, RCare provides care staff with the extra tools they need to keep seniors safe, even if the resident never pressed a button.

Small Senior Living Providers

Nearly half of all skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. have fewer than 120 beds. In fact, according to the Nursing Home Data Compendium of 2015 by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, there are close to 8,000 skilled nursing communities that have fewer than 100 beds. This leaves a lot of small senior living providers with few options to provide top-quality care to people who deserve the very best.

BCube for Small Senior Living ProvidersAdvanced nurse call systems such as RCare’s standard advanced nurse call system offerings are complex and feature-rich. Typical installations may be in large facilities that have hundreds of beds, a large staff and many receivers and transmitters collecting information throughout the facility. (Think nurse stations, nurse call buttons, pull-cords, door sensors, etc.) The system may include dozens of mobile devices carried by caregiving staff and administration. Managing all these devices and their communications with one another requires an enterprise-class computer server. But along with this robust technology comes a price tag that isn’t affordable for small campuses. So, they simply don’t have access to the best advanced nurse call options available to other communities.

RCare recognized this underserved population and decided to address it by engineering a customized, scaled and innovative solution designed for small campuses with this great need and smaller budget. RCare realized that first and foremost, the approach to the design needed to change. Small campuses simply don’t need the robust enterprise-level server hardware. A much smaller computer can easily manage the job, while saving on unnecessary hardware costs. There are also far fewer transmitters and devices in a smaller facility, which results in fewer communications. This means the lower horse-power of a smaller computer can efficiently and effectively handle and distribute the communications from each of the devices. So, which computer could do this at the right cost? That may be the cleverest part. RCare took an existing RCare nurse desk console unit and reengineered it to act as the server itself, in addition to its regular duties as a nurse station.

The result is the RCare BCube. Now, for the first time, smaller senior living communities will be able to afford and deploy caregiving technology previously only available to the big players. They will be able to get the very best technology available, at a fraction of the price. With the BCube, the facilities get the benefits of the existing, thoroughly developed, tested, and supported functionality of the larger RCare solutions, but re-engineered to serve the smaller installation.

BCube for Small Senior Living ProvidersThe BCube nurse stations function like the nurse stations of the larger cube products, reporting sensor information, alert statuses and ensuring caregiver accountability. And the BCube provides the important accountability capabilities of the larger systems, including analytics, reporting and the RPhone “I Got It” caregiving accountability tool.

The BCube was designed only for smaller communities and is limited to installations with fewer than 128 beds. But what if a small campus expands and gets hundreds of additional beds and tries to deploy hundreds more push buttons and other devices? RCare thought of that too. It is seamlessly forward compatible and easily upgradable to larger and more robust RCare solutions, without hassle or inconvenience.

RCare’s revolutionary new BCube.

Better technology
Bigger value
Best fit for you

Learn more.

Best Little Nurse Call System

That is not the question. The question is When?

It’s your first week on the job for a small caregiving staff at a 50-bed skilled nursing community. The intimate and family-like feeling of the community is what drew you in to begin with. And so far, you have met almost all of the residents and you like the small team of carers that you work with.

RPhone for the BCube has the I Got It Feature

The RPhone, with its unique “I Got It” feature

But, there is one thing that is frustrating to you. When multiple calls come in from residents, you are given no information on what to expect, what to bring and how urgent it is. On this Saturday evening, you receive two calls within minutes of each other, from Rooms 101 and 134. It could be a fall, a request for help to get out of bed or just someone needing a glass of water. The readout on the caregivers’ pagers simply shows the time of the call with a room number. You wonder whether someone is already handling the calls or perhaps most importantly, which resident do you prioritize to check on first?

The problem is that you need some more information to properly prioritize the calls. But you just don’t have it. You don’t know if it’s an emergency, or the resident history, or what to bring along, or if they happen to have allergies you should know about. You’re stuck in an impossible situation. You know you can’t possibly provide the best care without having the facts. So what to do?

Well the call from Room 101 came in first, so that’s the one you answer. But, your coworker is also there when you get there. Turns out Ruth accidentally pressed the button. Now two of you have responded to this non-emergency situation simultaneously, while Henry in Room 134 has slipped in the bathroom, is extremely frightened, and nobody is there to assist him.

RCare's Pretty Pretty Pendant and the BCube

Pretty Pretty Pendants work with any RCare nurse call system, including the new BCube for small facilities

If you work in a larger facility, you may have the benefit of a high-tech call system that can help you sort that all out. High-end advanced nurse call systems, like RCare’s flagship solution called the RCube, sends you all of the information you need to various communication devices, lighting platforms or even to nurse call console stations. Communities can go one step better and use secured, encrypted mobile devices such as the RCare RPhone to securely receive all information and have two-way communication between the caregiving staff, administration and even to the residents.

You can talk to the resident, gauge the situation, bring the correct supplies, reassure that you’re on the way, and prioritize. These RPhones also allow caregiving staff to claim responsibility using the “I Got it” feature, informing the rest of the staff that you’re responding to this call, eliminating duplicate efforts and ensuring accountability.

Around half of all skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. have fewer than 120 beds. That’s a lot of hard-working, compassionate caregivers who have inadequate tools to provide care, and a lot of seniors who don’t benefit from new caregiving technology and improved response times.  

But because you work in a smaller facility, you simply don’t have this kind of high end technology. Instead, you are stuck with a low-information nurse call system that gives you beeping pagers and loud intercom messages. It’s really not fair to your residents and to the caregivers striving to provide top-notch quality care. So, If the technology is available, why don’t smaller facilities use it? It’s because high-end, advanced nurse call technology is simply unaffordable for small campuses.

Well, that is until now.

Introducing the RCare BCube: Best Little Nurse Call System Ever. Designed, customized and scaled for the smallest skilled and assisted living communities, with all of the features of the big time advanced nurse call systems, at a fraction of the price. Now, even the smallest senior living communities can afford to have the best nurse call technology for their staff and their residents.

So to BCube or not to BCube?

That’s never been the question. The real question is, how soon can I get it installed?

The RCare BCube. All the monitoring, communication and reporting features of our large flagship RCare advanced nurse call system, scaled and priced for a smaller facility.

LeadingAge2017

New Orleans is known for amazing food, music, and of course the renowned Mardi Gras celebrations. At the end of October, New Orleans will have a new claim to fame. It will be host to America’s largest not-for-profit aging services industry event, the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo.

Anyone who’s anyone in aging services gathers together at LeadingAge to see the latest and greatest in senior care innovation and services, learn best practices and renew a shared passion for delivering the best possible care to seniors everywhere.

At RCare, we never miss it. And this year we’ll be at Booth 1310, showcasing our brand new RCare booth with expanded product offerings, new and improved RMetrix enterprise and analytics features for all RCare customers, and our latest “Everyone’s a Winner with RCare” Series. You see, RCare has designed product offerings and services for every single individual involved in care, whether you’re a resident, administrator, caregiver, facility manager or in charge of quality management. Our systems are designed to help everyone have the tools they need to provide the best possible care. And we can prove it.

LeadingAge 2017 PrizesTo celebrate our “Everyone’s a Winner with RCare” campaign, we have big giveaways at the booth. Stop by Booth 1310 to pick up your free Bluetooth fidget spinner. No, they are not JUST for the kids, take a look at this McKnight’s article highlighting the advantage of Fidget Spinners for dementia residents. Plus, try for a bigger prize while finding out RCare can help you and your community.

LeadingAge 2017 RMetrix

RMetrix v2

We know that something on everyone’s minds this year is Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI). The CDC will be issuing regulations requiring skilled nursing facilities to implement a quality assurance and improvement program. At that point, the clock starts ticking, and facilities will have one year to have their programs implemented and complete. Now is the time to be getting these programs in place, and RCare knows exactly how to help satisfy all your QAPI needs.

For example, RMetrix v2 is a new reporting and analytics package that comes native with every RCare nurse call system. RMetrix provides reports and data that help communities measure how they’re doing, and assess their improvements, which is the core of QAPI. RMetrix comes with an impressive list of built-in reports that can be run for your entire facility, or by shift, by wing, by client, and more. You get the option to filter the data the way you need it. If we don’t have the report you need, the custom report designer included with RMetrix lets you create your own. Or, if you need a little help, RCare’s business analyst can custom-design reports for you, for a modest fee. RCare can help you make your QAPI program a success.

LeadingAge 2017 GeoPendantBe sure to check out our all new GeoPendant. This pendant was designed to provide residents with the flexibility and freedom to move safely around the community. Caregiving staff can define individual “safe zones”, and receive discreet alert notifications if a resident moves outside of their custom safe zone. It also serves as a push-button PERS. Location tracking lets caregivers know where the help is needed. Perfect for mixed communities, the GeoPendant is small, sleek, wireless and attractive, and it’s fully integrated with RCare’s nurse call systems.

According to the Nursing Home Data Compendium of 2015 by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, nearly half the residents of skilled nursing communities are in facilities with under 100 beds. RCare recognizes that these communities don’t require expensive, enterprise-level server hardware, but they do require the most innovative and comprehensive tools to provide the best possible care with fewer staff.

Stop by Booth 1310 to check out the BCube, designed and priced exclusively for small communities with 128 beds or fewer. Using a smaller touch-based computer server, RCare’s revolutionary BCube provides all the reporting features and advanced technology of our flagship RCube wireless nurse call system, at a fraction of the cost.

But that’s not all. We’ll be telling everyone about our brand new Durable RPhone, coming in 2018. You already know that the RPhone is a powerhouse of secure caregiver communication and notifications. What you didn’t know is that it’s now nearly indestructible. Stop by Booth 1310 for a sneak peek, and to see all the latest advancements in wireless nurse call systems.

2017 LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo
October 29 – November 1
Ernest N Morial Convention Center
New Orleans

Expo Hall Hours:
Monday, October. 30 | Noon – 3:30pm
Tuesday, October 31 | 11:30am – 3:30pm
Wednesday, November 1 | 9:30am – 11:30am

RCare Booth: 1310
RCare on Twitter: @ResponseCare
RCare on Facebook: @RCareInc

More Info:
Schedule: https://www.leadingage.org/schedule-events
Website: https://www.leadingage.org/leadingage-annual-meeting-expo
Hashtag: #LeadingAge17
Twitter handle: @LeadingAge

Celebrate independence with RCare

In light of the recent celebration of Independence Day, we’ve been reflecting on the importance and meaning of independence for the birth of our country. Why is it so important? We see it in every stage of life. As kids grow up they seek and require more independence. As we age, our independence becomes even more important. We will do anything to stay more independent and empowered.

RCare's Pretty Pretty Pendant and Patriot PendantThis got us thinking, and we realized that independence is one of the foundations that underlies everything we do. More independence for residents. More independence for caregivers. More independence for administrators.

It’s why we created the Pretty Pretty Pendant and the Patriot Pendant. We know that community residents may need to call for help. And we thought, in order to have the independence and peace of mind that comes with a pendant, we needed to provide something that the resident wanted to wear. It’s a simple solution, and we’ve discovered that it makes the residents happy. And, it also makes them more likely to wear them.

RCare's GeoPendantIt’s why we created the GeoPendant. We know some residents need extra help being safe, but would like it to come without embarrassing alarms and bells. And what about those residents that don’t need those safety limits? How could we create something that could be customized, individually for each resident? The GeoPendant is a sleek push-button pendant, and it’s something more too. With the GeoPendant, caregiving staff can define safe zones for the residents that need them. That means, everyone can just go about their day. But if certain residents move outside their defined safe zone, care staff will be notified, and provided with the senior’s location, so they can offer assistance as needed.

It’s why we created environmental sensors. Community residents can rest assured they can remain safe and comfortable in their homes. Environmental sensors monitor things for the entire community. If something is wrong, for example the temperature is too low or too high, or a faucet overflows, the sensors will automatically send out an alert so that facility staff can intervene before the situation becomes an emergency.

It’s why we created the BCube, the best little nurse call system ever. We know how hard caregivers work. And we know that we can increase their independence by offering the best technology on the market. We’ve met a lot of caregivers in our line of work, and we’ve seen many working with outdated technologies, that hold them back from their goal of providing the best care possible. We realized that the most advanced nurse call systems, like our RCube, might be beyond the budgets of the smaller communities. But we think those community residents deserve the best care, and their caregivers deserve the best tools. So we sent our designers back to the drawing board to figure out how to re-engineer our best system for the little guys. And they came back with the BCube. It’s a full-featured, advanced nurse call system. But now it’s a good fit for smaller communities and their smaller budgets.

We value our independence just like our clients and their residents. We hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day. And we want you to know that, even after the parties have ended and the fireworks have been put away, we’re still here for you.

McKnight's Online Expo PEAK

RCare is a exhibiting at McKnight’s Online Expo and Trade Show, and you don’t even have to leave your office! This event, for LTCN professionals, is sponsored by RCare, is completely free, and is held entirely online.

Come visit us in our booth. Fill out a short survey to be entered into a drawing to win one of two Amazon Echoes! Then stay awhile, to find out more about our new BCube nurse call system for small communities, our flagship RCube advanced nurse call system, and to check out our new Spring catalog.

BCube for Small Senior Living ProvidersWhy should you attend McKnight’s Online Expo?

  • Registration & Attendance is free
  • Providers can earn up to 5 CE Credits
  • Network with colleagues & vendors
  • Learn more about our BCube nurse call for small campuses
  • Chat with RCare booth reps in real time
  • Attend from any online device!
  • Great information-rich educational sessions

Come join us for this free virtual trade show. We look forward to “seeing” you.

McKnight’s Online Expo
March 14 & 15, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Completely online, and free
Get more information, and register…

RCare at PEAK Leadership SummitLater this month, broaden your perspective and expand your thinking at the PEAK Leadership Summit, the preeminent leadership forum for top-tier executives in the aging services field. RCare is sponsoring and exhibiting at the event.

New this year at PEAK: Participate in the exhibitor-wide survey, and you’ll receive the full set of questions and results at the end of the show.

RCare’s own Myron Kowal will be representing us at Kiosk 38
March 20, 9:30am-1:00pm
March 21, 9:30am-noon
Contact RCare to schedule a private meeting or demo.

RCare @ PEAK
March 19 – 22
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Washington, DC.
Kiosk 38

RCare showcases BCube at Environments for Aging Conference

Environments for Aging ConferenceCome see RCare’s CEO Myron Kowal at the Environments for Aging Conference in sunny Las Vegas, showing off all of our latest products and features.

EFA Event Location
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
Feb 26 – Mar 1, 2017

Drop by Booth 511
Tues Feb 28: 11:45am – 2:30pm and 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Wed, Mar 1: 9:45am – 1:00pm

Want to arrange a private demo?
Contact us at info@rcareinc.com.

The Environments for Aging Expo & Conference offers the latest strategies and ideas for creating functional and attractive living environments that meet the needs of our aging population. During this comprehensive three-day learning experience, attendees will network with peers while learning the latest innovations and best practices in senior friendly design for long-term and residential care settings.

In addition to RCare’s flagship RCube advanced nurse call solution, RCare is excited to introduce our newest BCube solution, designed, scaled and priced for small senior housing communities. All of the rich monitoring, communication and reporting features of the RCare products, at a fraction of the price. RCare will also be showcasing our Pretty Pretty Pendants and Patriot Pendants. Designed for beauty, sleekness and wearability.

#RCare #BCube #BestLittleNurseCall #EFACon