Ben’s Support Administrator, Steve Mindlin, with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD), told us about a new technology – remote monitoring – in which a team of monitors oversees the safety of clients overnight, through a single tablet and motion sensor technology. The camera on the tablet is only activated through a phone call made on the tablet – either sent to Ben from the remote monitoring team, or from Ben the the team. So the technology is completely private. He can call his team anytime between 7 pm and 7 am.
When Ben and I researched the list of providers who responded to Steve’s request for Remote Monitoring support, I was startled to see how many monitoring companies were located in another cities and states. But then we learned that a LOCAL “human” support person is paid to be an overnight back up for Ben and can come out to the house anytime Ben calls. I am also contacted – and emergency services, too, if needed.
We selected Safe in Home, (Alchera Corporation), which offers a range of technologies to support Ben’s needs. It’s based in San Franscisco. but has a hub in Columbus, and is knowledgeable about Ohio’s Medicaid rules, county procedures and the civil rights of adults with disabilities. We hope to find a home health aide provider soon – an aide who stays with Ben from lunch time to past bedtime, for activities, shopping, community outings, meal prep and light housekeeping. However, there is a nation-wide shortage in the field.
Cuyahoga County-based salesman for Safe in Home, Kevin Callahan, came out to our home to meet Ben and assessed our home to see which products would support Ben best. This is called a Home Assessment. We will start with a home care agency after Ben gets his COVID-19 vaccines.
Ben’s home also received a safety assessment from Cuyahoga DD’s Physical Therapy Department. Timothy Sommer, PT. Tim showed me where he would install grab bars and handrails for fall risks. I also need to replace stair carpeting with safer materials. Stay at Home Modifications will do the contract work for this modification project.