Nothing like peace of mind…a new app helps provide that when it comes to looking out for elderly loved ones at risk of falling. FallCall Solutions, LLC has recently launched its application, ElderCheck Now.
ElderCheck Now: New App to Help Seniors

As indicated in the June 16, 2016 news release, “The ElderCheck Now app aims to help caregivers gain updated health information and overall well-being of the elders they monitor by leveraging new technology available in the latest smart devices. Caregivers can send secure check-ins to their designated elders, who can respond to their caregiver’s check-in requests through a simplified two-button interface on Apple Watch or iPhone. This new electronic relationship returns a snapshot to caregivers that includes a variety of important information about their elder’s overall well-being.”
“Taking advantage of features unique to iPhone and Apple Watch, the ElderCheck Now app creates an easy way for elders to pass regular updates in far less time than it would take to text or call. Where texting “I’m OK” fails to convey the full levity of a potential health situation, the apps “I’m OK” or “Call Me” status updates a caregiver, while sending important heart rate information, GPS location and even presents a button to quickly return a phone call.”
“Our app was designed to provide caregivers with more information, more quickly and more often than would ordinarily be possible with just calls and texts, ” says Shea Gregg, M.D., founder and trauma surgeon in Connecticut. “Through simplified two-way communication, seniors can request calls and provide check-in replies with ease, giving peace of mind to both parties throughout their day in the most hassle-free way possible. One of the best parts: They can do so on the devices they already use every day.”
FallCall Solutions, LLC was founded by doctors Shea and Kristin Gregg of Trumbull, Connecticut.
Dr. Shea Gregg told OTW, “ElderCheck Now was made to simplify communication and create a non-invasive, electronic relationship between caregivers and those who are being cared for. Through the press of a button, any care provider can send a check-in to a person they securely paired with. Once received, that person can respond with their status (‘I’m OK, ’ or ‘Call Me’), heart rate and location by tapping a button on their wrist. Trends can then be followed through the care provider’s ‘History’ menu. All communications are saved on the care provider’s phone and encrypted when the app is not in use.
“As of now, ElderCheck Now was built for secure one-to-one communications. As the wearable market matures, we plan to scale the application to allow for the ability to check-in with multiple people. Additionally, our company (FallCall Solutions) currently has other applications in development that will detect and simplify communications in more emergent situations. With a population over the age of 65 that is expected to double by 2060, and 1 in 3 in this demographic projected to fall every year, we believe that technology needs to be developed to allow for senior independent living while enhancing caregiver peace of mind. Building it on already widely deployed ecosystems is how we will make our contribution.”

Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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