Nelson Communications Awarded NTCA Community Grant to Connect Seniors using GrandCare Technology

WEST BEND, Wis., March 7, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Telecommunications provider Nelson Communications Cooperative announced today that they have been awarded the NTCA Smart Rural Community Collaboration Challenge Grant to connect remote seniors, using remote monitoring and socialization technology GrandCare Systems.

This grant is part of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association's (NTCA) initiative to highlight and support efforts that make rural communities vibrant places to live and do business. The grant promotes broadband-enabled solutions for communities and supports collaborative efforts in economic development, education, energy, health care, and public safety.

Nelson Communications Cooperative, located in Durand, Wisconsin, plans to use GrandCare technology to provide broadband-enabled elder care services to seniors in rural Wisconsin. GrandCare is a large touchscreen system designed to help seniors easily stay connected with their families. It also provides telehealth, activity monitoring, and many socialization features.

"Nelson Communications is proud of our longstanding commitment to our customers and the communities we serve," said Christy Berger, General Manager of Nelson Communications Cooperative (DBA Ntec). "We also recognize that our broadband is a powerful tool for positive change and improving quality of life. In partnership with GrandCare and WSTA, we hope to demonstrate the role broadband can play to connect lonely and socially isolated senior citizens."

Nelson Communications will leverage their connectivity and GrandCare's communication, remote health, and activity monitoring to help engage, connect and empower seniors living in rural and remote communities.

"We congratulate Nelson Communications for winning the grant and are honored to play a part in the pilot project," said Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA) Executive Director Bill Esbeck. "Research demonstrates the detrimental impact of loneliness and social isolation on health and premature mortality. A collaboration between WSTA members and GrandCare, using their secure, proprietary, user-friendly technology platform, is an opportunity to confront these serious issues."

"This grant perfectly aligns with GrandCare's mission to improve the lives of seniors and their families using the latest technology features," said GrandCare CEO and founder Charlie Hillman. "We created a simple one-touch solution that makes video chatting, game playing, messaging and even YouTube watching accessible, regardless of age. We're delighted to be included in this opportunity with Nelson Communications, WSTA and NTCA."

For more information on this grant and the other winners, please visit:

https://www.ntca.org/ruraliscool/newsroom/press-releases/2019/13/ntca-announces-smart-rural-community-grant-recipients

ABOUT NELSON COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE
Founded in 1949, Nelson Communications is a rural telephone service provider, serving West Central Wisconsin. The company provides many additional services, including high-speed broadband internet access and digital cable television services, as well as business system installation and maintenance.

ABOUT GRANDCARE

GrandCare is designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes by enabling designated family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals to remotely care for an individual in a residence, regardless of geographic location. The heart of GrandCare is a large touchscreen in the residence, which provides the individual with social communications, instructions, reminders and medication prompts. Optional telehealth & activity sensors wirelessly report information and can send alerts if something is amiss. No computer skills are needed for the resident. For more information, visit: http://www.grandcare.com, call 262-­338-6147, or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Laura Mitchell Consulting LLC