Eskaton Completes Eight-Week Trial of Lively’s Smart Home Technology; Sets Stage to Offer it to Thousands of Older Adults Through its Home Support Network
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 06, 2014 -- Eskaton, a Northern California-based, nonprofit organization that provides services and support for over 14,000 older adults annually, today announced the results of an eight-week trial of Lively’s smart home technology. Lively (http://www.mylively.com) uses passive sensors placed around an elderly adult’s home to keep tabs on certain daily activity patterns, and automatically notify family members or other designated caregivers whenever something seems amiss.
The purpose of the study was to test the efficacy of Lively in establishing a daily activity connection between older adults and family members or others concerned about their health and well-being. Additionally, the study investigated whether using Lively could have a noticeable effect on older adults’ mindfulness in maintaining healthy habits and behavior. As part of the Lively service, each Eskaton trial participant also received LivelyGram, a twice-monthly printed mailer of photos submitted by loved ones, which aims to maintain and create emotionally satisfying social connections with the older adult recipients.
The majority of participants in the Eskaton trial were age 85 or older, and living alone. Half of the adult children, or Participating Connections, lived less than 50 miles away from the older adult. Surveys were taken before and after the trial to learn whether the older adults' daily activity levels and healthy preferences improved, how much satisfaction they felt from greater intergenerational social ties, and the impact on the adult children’s feelings of stress and anxiety about their elder loved ones’ health and well-being.
Findings included (to download full summary, click here):
o 80% of Participating Connections (family caregivers) reported Lively significantly or slightly improved feelings of stress and anxiety over their elder loved ones’ health and well-being.
o Older Adults rated their health as 25% better after using Lively.
o 30% of Participating Connections noticed a significant improvement in older adult users’ adherence to their daily medication schedule.
“Eskaton and its related communities and services have a longstanding reputation for rolling out innovative health and wellness initiatives, so we’re continually on the lookout for offerings that will improve the quality of life for residents and their families,” says Sheri Peifer, chief strategy officer, Eskaton. “It is evident from the results of our trial that Lively introduces positive attributes that match our promise; and we look forward to wider adoption throughout our communities.”
“We're proud to offer a welcomed connection that also touches on the social side of aging, which is making a difference toward higher quality of living for our aging population,” says Iggy Fanlo, CEO and co-founder of Lively.
David Glickman, COO and co-founder adds, “Bringing peace of mind to family members while also enabling older adults to remain independent in their own homes longer is what motivates us every day. We’re appreciative of trailblazers like Eskaton, who are introducing Lively’s technology to their communities.”
Lively’s Activity Sensors
Lively uses built-in cellular technology in its passive activity sensors, which are placed around the home to track certain day-to-day activity living patterns, like meals being prepared or consumed, time spent getting outside, and when medication is taken. With this knowledge, loved ones can worry less and avoid having to ask nagging questions like, “Did you eat?” or “Did you go outside today?” And the simple device stays out of the way—no video cameras or complicated installation are required to use it. An at-a-glance online display can be shared via the web or smartphone, and notifications update users and their circles of people with whom they choose to share their activities. Lively’s system is easy to set up and no Internet service is required, in deference to the nearly 65 percent of older adults aged 75+ who lack Internet access. To view a video showcasing how Lively works, please click here.
Pricing and Availability
Lively is currently available in the U.S. by calling (888) 757-0711, visiting their website (http://www.mylively.com), or ordering online from Amazon or other select retailers. The initial purchase price is $34.95, plus $24.95 per month for Lively’s pay-as-you-go subscription, which includes daily activity sharing and LivelyGram.
About Lively:
Headquartered in San Francisco, Lively was founded by Iggy Fanlo, David Glickman, and Keith Dutton in the summer of 2012. With backgrounds that include working at some of the world’s most innovative consumer product companies, they’ve formed a vibrant team of talented individuals who share a passion for changing the way older adults stay connected across generations.
About Eskaton
Eskaton is a Northern California-based, nonprofit organization with over 45 years of experience. Their dedicated team members provide services and support for nearly 14,000 individuals each year who live in their communities or participate in their comprehensive Home Support Network. Beyond the numbers, Eskaton’s positive reputation extends to their signature life-enriching programs; innovative health and wellness initiatives; professional staff training and development; and generous philanthropy.
Kimberly Angell, Wish Public Relations, (415) 471-7272, [email protected]
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