Save The Date: ANCOR's 2012 Technology Summit Nov. 3

On November 3, ANCOR's 2012 Technology Summit will focus on the variety of applications available today, how to securely manage the technology to deliver services, best practices and what this means for your organization. At this conference, you will learn how others are funding these initiatives and what lies in the future as providers incorporate technology to streamline their efforts and operate within the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services' emerging guidelines.

For more information or to register, click here.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes

Scheduled to tour Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome on July 23 – key administrative staff members from Frasier Meadows, a Boulder-based retirement community.

In 1960 the founders of Frasier Meadows avowed that the values of life in all seasons are precious; that the elder years are meant to be lived with meaning and celebration. Frasier Meadows was founded to fulfill that promise. In four decades the campus has grown to include independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer's and skilled nursing care, as well as respite and rehabilitation care.

The leadership at Frasier Meadows recognizes that services designed for individuals with developmental disabilities and services designed for elder individuals have many similarities. By touring the SmartHome, they hope to glean information on how technology can be used to serve both populations, and to explore collaborative opportunites.

We look forward to seeing them on the 23rd!

SmartHome Softball

Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont residents Sarah, Shelly, and Toby are really enjoying their summer softball league. Take a look at some pictures of these talented athletes in action.

John Fixes Dinner

Here’s a nice picture of Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident John  preparing a meal at the house. Note the computer screen in the background – it shows the prompting system John uses to prepare the meal safely (and deliciously).

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from the SmartHome staff and residents!

Guess Who’s Touring The SmartHome

Thanks to Milton and Camilla Briggs for touring the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome yesterday. Milton and Camilla are from CloseBy Network, a technology company that “provides the information you need to help loved ones live independently in their own homes.”

SmartHome Tourist From Down Under

This past Friday, Leona Stoecker, past president of the Imagine! Foundation and SmartHome supporter extraordinaire, gave a tour of the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont to Mary Louise Bertram, who was visiting from Australia. You can see pictures from the tour below.

Mary Louise has her own business working with children with special needs, most specifically focusing on communication. She also helps parents advocate for their children. She specializes in working with children with Angelman Syndrome, seizure disorders, and intellectual delays. "It has been incredible to see the growth of the children and see how their growth has impacted my growth," she says.

According to Leona, the tour was incredible. Here’s what she told us in an email afterwards:

“Mary Louise Bertram is an amazing woman. She is in Longmont for two weeks, then will be presenting at seminars all over the country. Upon entering the SmartHome she immediately engaged each of the residents....she will now be on Facebook and blog with Shelley. I have never seen (Charles Family SmartHome resident) Shelly interact so quickly with anyone.

The other amazing part is her vast knowledge of every product and software available. She and (SmartHome tech expert) Christopher Baumgart never stopped sharing information with each other. Mary Louise even went back Sunday morning to speak further with the staff and the residents.”

Leona and many other Longmont residents were first introduced to Mary Louise back in 1996 when she was an exchange student through the Rotary Club in Longmont (some of the information in this post comes from their website).  Thank you, Mary Louise, for taking the tour!