Washington Home Care Association

The Washington Home Care Association was formed in 2005 to advance the field of Home Care in Washington State and support member home care agencies. WAHCA is the state chapter of the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA)

Senior Technology

Tech Tips for Home Care Businesses – Save Time and Money

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As a home care business, you can benefit from utilizing software-as-a-service, known as SaaS, products to operate more efficiently. Learn about what SaaS is and some available products to help save your business both time and money.  

TechTarget defines Saas “…as a software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the Internet.” SaaS falls under the umbrella of cloud computing technology. The primary benefit of SaaS products is that you will not need to retain a large, in-house IT department. Your third-party vendor will handle tasks like routine maintenance scans, system updates, and software licensing. TechTarget lists other benefits of SaaS, including flexible payment options and automatic software updates.

Microsoft Azure provides a more comprehensive overview of Saas. Services include hosted applications, development tools and database management, operating systems, servers and storage, networking firewalls and security, and data center physical plants/buildings. By using Saas products, you will be able to utilize sophisticated applications, such as Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), that you otherwise may not have purchased. With SaaS, you will only pay for what you actually use, as your service package will automatically scale based on the usage level.

SaaS products will be a good fit for your home care business since most allow employees to work from anywhere. Employees are able to access your business network from any device connected to the Internet. They can check email and submit paperwork from client visits from the comfort of their own home.

Below are descriptions of just a few of the SaaS products on the market today:

  • Google Apps for Business: This service starts at just $5 per employee per month. With Google Apps, all your employees will have a company email address. You will receive 30GB of storage per user with the Basic edition. You can upgrade to the Business or Enterprise options if you require more storage space. Other benefits include 24/7 live customer support, easy data migration, and mobile device management.

  • Office 365: Microsoft’s Office 365 offers three service tiers. The business essentials package is $5.00 per user per month and includes email and services like SharePoint. The business premium is $12.50 and includes everything in the essentials package plus applications like Word and PowerPoint. The business option is $8.25 and includes everything the premium does except for SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. All of the tiers require an annual contract.

  • Citrix GoToMeeting: This product offers online meeting hosting services. The starter package is  $14/month for 10 users, with features such as unlimited meetings, screen sharing, and mobile applications. The most popular package is the pro, which costs $29/month, for 150 users. It includes all of the starter package features plus meting transcripts. The final package is the plus for $39/month and goes up to 250 users. An additional feature is an inroom link, which connects to your existing conference room system.

  • Concur: Concur is an SAP product and offers many services, including expense and travel management. You can also utilize Concur for automated invoicing.

PC Magazine compiled a list of its top 50 SaaS products for Small Businesses. Check it out and see which of these might be a good fit for you as you look to operate your home care business more efficiently.

Our Favorite Mobile Apps for Seniors

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We typically don’t think of seniors as users of cutting-edge mobile apps, but according to research, more seniors use smartphones than ever before. And as the rest of us age, this number will only increase. With that in mind, we’ve collected our thirteen favorite mobile apps that can help keep your aging relatives social, safe, and happy.

1. Pandora/iHeart Radio

One of the best things about our smartphones is the music. There are plenty of popular applications (like Pandora or the iHeart Radio Network) that your aging relatives might enjoy. Install it on their phones and help them pick out a few channels of their favorites.

2. Skype

What better way to stay connected than Skype for mobile? This is a great app to include for general video chatting or staying in contact with the tech-obsessed grandkids.

3. WebMD

Yep, WebMD has an app! It comes with plenty of handy features, including a symptom checker and database of information that your relatives can access on the go.

4. Pillboxie

Medication reminders are one of the best uses of smartphone tech for seniors. Consider an app like Pillboxie. Not only is it convenient, but it can provide life-saving reminders for seniors who struggle to maintain a stable medication schedule.

5. Find my iPhone

Does your relative misplace items frequently? If so, the Find my iPhone app is a great tool. Just sign up and you can easily track the location of a lost iPhone, perfect for those who struggle with short-term memory loss.

6. Mint

Mint is one of the easiest financial tracking tools out there. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to understand it, and the app comes with plenty of features to automatically manage finances and provide visibility into spending.

7. Kindle App or iBooks

If your relative is an avid reader, try introducing them to eBooks! Kindle, or apps like iBooks, are great ways to find new reading material. They also contain helpful screen adjustment features to increase text size for those who struggle with small print.

8. Blood Pressure Monitoring

Apps like the iCare Health Monitor let users monitor their blood pressure via mobile device. While these tools don’t replace a trip to the doctor, they’re becoming surprisingly accurate and can be great ways to monitor your condition over time.

9. Netflix

There’s something for everyone on Netflix. Help them cut the cord and ditch that expensive cable package.

10. AARP Now App

The AARP Now app is a good way to stay up-to-date with trending AARP news, local events, and policy updates. If your relative is a member, this one is worth a look. 

11. Senior Savings

This great app collects information from nearby restaurants, businesses, and stores that offer senior discounts. It’s a handy tool that can add up to big savings in the long run. If your relative is still active in the community, this one’s a must-have.

12. GoodRX

With healthcare costs increasing, every little bit helps. GoodRX is a helpful tool that compares medication prices across businesses and even offers coupons to help bring down prescription prices.

13. Red Panic Button

Remember Life Alert? This application is the same thing, giving users a quick way to call for help at the click of a button. As long as your relative can reach his/her phone, they’ll always have a way to get assistance.

Integrating Apps Into Home Care

Apps don’t replace the need for home care—but they’re great supplementary tools to help you manage your relative’s schedule and keep them safe. Work with your relatives and home care providers to discuss bringing these tools into your home care plan.