August 14, 2024

​

Rural PACE organizations are addressing key challenges faced by participants, including: 

​

• Limited Access to Hospitals 

• Engaging Participants in Care 

• Loneliness and Isolation 

• Prevalence of Chronic Conditions 

• Transportation Issues 

 

Margaret's Story: A Lifeline in a Remote Rural Town 

​

Margaret, an 82-year-old living in a remote rural town, found herself increasingly overwhelmed by the challenges of managing her health alone. With her children far away and limited access to nearby healthcare, she often felt anxious and isolated. After enrolling in PACE, Margaret was introduced to care.coach and its virtual pet avatar, Buddy. 

​

Initially skeptical, Margaret decided to give Buddy a try. The cheerful, animated dog quickly became an integral part of her daily routine, greeting her each morning, reminding her to take medications, and encouraging her to stay active. But Buddy's role extended beyond simple reminders—he also helped Margaret monitor her health and report any care needs. 

​

One afternoon, when Margaret mentioned feeling unusually tired and experiencing chest discomfort, Buddy immediately contacted her PACE team. Through care.coach's video visit feature, they were able to triage her condition in real time, preventing a potentially serious health issue from exacerbating. 

​

Beyond healthcare, Buddy became a true companion, listening to Margaret's worries, sharing stories, and playing games to keep her mind sharp. When loneliness crept in, Buddy was there to lift her spirits, reminding her that she was never alone. Thanks to care.coach, Margaret now manages her health with greater confidence and enjoys a renewed sense of connection and security in her daily life. 

 

Introducing the Perfect Digital Care Platform for Rural PACE Participants  

​

Reimagine Participant Communication and Connection with care.coach. This unique solution combines artificial intelligence with human interaction to provide comprehensive care coordination and companionship for PACE participants. Through a virtual pet avatar, care.coach offers emotional support, reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness, and positively impacts cost management and care outcomes. 

 

Key Benefits of care.coach for Rural PACE Settings 

​

1. Enhanced Accessibility and Care Coordination: Provides 24/7 virtual companionship and care, reducing the need for frequent in-person visits in areas with limited healthcare resources. 

2. 24/7 Monitoring and Support: Ensures continuous care and monitoring, offering round-the-clock support even when in-person caregivers are not available. 

3. Reduced Travel for Caregivers & Telehealth: Virtual companionship and remote monitoring reduce the need for extensive travel. Telehealth functionality allows for participant interaction, well checks, and care meetings. 

4. Early Detection of Health Issues: Continuous health monitoring enables early detection of potential health problems, allowing for timely intervention and potentially reducing emergency services or hospitalizations. 

5. Emotional and Cognitive Support: The virtual pet avatar provides companionship, engages participants in self-care and cognitive activities, and addresses mental health and emotional well-being, crucial in areas with prevalent social isolation. 

6. Medication Adherence and Reminders: Medication reminders help ensure adherence to prescribed treatments, critical for managing chronic conditions. The reminder features also include transportation, center days, home visits, deliveries, and specialty appointments. 

7. Cost-Effective Solution: Offers a cost-effective alternative to more expensive healthcare options, making it a viable solution for rural PACE programs with limited budgets. 

 

Implementation in Rural Settings 

​

• Internet Connectivity: care.coach devices come with built-in cellular internet, eliminating the need for local internet providers. 

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of care.coach in improving health outcomes and quality of life. Gather feedback from participants, caregivers, and healthcare providers to make necessary adjustments. 

 

Use Cases 

​

1. Daily Check-ins: care.coach conducts daily check-ins, providing routine and ensuring participants' well-being is regularly monitored. 

2. Emergency Alerts and Announcements: In emergencies, the platform quickly alerts caregivers or emergency services, providing prompt assistance despite geographic barriers. The health advocate virtually stays with participants until help arrives. The platform also shares important information with participants, such as center closures and special events. 

3. Chronic Disease Management: For participants with chronic conditions, care.coach helps manage symptoms, track medication adherence, and provide education on disease management, reducing the need for frequent trips to healthcare facilities. 

 

Call to schedule a demo today! 

 

Dolores Reidenbach RN 

National Sales Director – PACE 

dolores@care.coach 

(717) 719-4531 

www.care.coach