Local company introduces more efficient alert system for senior citizen communities

A Webster-based company has developed a product that is aimed at helping caregivers at senior living communities respond to calls for assistance from residents in a timely and efficient manner.

Response Care Inc. recently introduced this information retrieval system called R-cube at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) convention, held in Chicago. Myron Kowal, the company’s president, said the system received an “overwhelming response”.

R-cube makes it possible for staff members at senior communities to receive resident alerts whether they are onsite or at another location. It is an advanced browser-based alert system with the hardware and software housed in one compact unit. When this unit receives a message from a resident who requires assistance that information can be sent to the appropriate staff member through any networked or wireless device, including a desktop computer, laptop, cell phone or PDA.

“The R-cube allows calls from residents to be acknowledged more quickly,” said Kowal. “Someone can get a message even if they are outside the facility. It also allows a caregiver to be completely mobile and still not miss any calls for assistance from the residents.”

Kowal mentioned two other noteworthy aspects of the R-cube. It has a programmed call escalation feature, which will automatically transfer calls that go unanswered on to the next level of supervisory personnel. In addition the system can generate reports regarding the number of alerts generated and their location, length of response time and who responded to the alerts.

R-cube was recently tested for 45 days at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities at Brentland Woods, located in Henrietta. Janet Wixom, the Executive Director of Brentland Woods, said the product is “amazing”.

“Residents in need of assistance can alert caregivers from anywhere in the building and within 100 feet of the exterior”, explained Wixom. “Alerts are received directly from the server allowing prompt, personalized responses to emergencies. I was also able to track response times through a website or receive texts on my Blackberry when staff members acknowledged an alert.”

“With the R-cube caregivers feel a greater sense of responsibility,” Wixom added, ”and the residents feel a higher level of security.” R-cube was designed by Richard Moore, Director of Product Development and Technical Support, at Response Care Inc. Kowal said R-cube is the first information retrieval system of its kind in the industry,

“It is simple to operate,” said Kowal, “ so it is user friendly. Caregivers can use it without a lot of heavy duty training.” “R-cube takes the human error out of the equation,” Kowal added. “ It improves efficiency and accountability and raises the bar so the workload is spread evenly.”