Contact: Carl Goodfriend, CIO, 708-342-8100, carlg@provinet.com
“Technology is reinventing the way seniors
can live independently,” says ProviNET CIO
Chicago, Ill. (March24–26, 2010) – “Obviously, we’re passionate about technology,” says Carl Goodfriend, CIO of ProviNET Solutions, a technology and service provider headquartered in Tinley Park, Illinois. “But it’s not just the technology itself that gets us excited. It’s what technology can do for people. Technology is a tool to enhance relationships.”
Goodfriend is bringing that spirit to the Technology Pavilion his company will be hosting with Life Services Network (LSN) at this year’s conference on Navy Pier, March 24–26. The LSN Conference is an annual opportunity for people in the senior services to re-connect with colleagues, visit vendors, and attend seminars that help them sharpen their skills. The Technology Pavilion will offer similar opportunities, with a technology focus.
Christopher Laxton, President of LSN, expressed enthusiasm for this new venture. “Our new Technology Pavilion will showcase emerging and existing technologies,” he said, “emphasizing the importance of these advances in technology in improving the everyday lives of seniors, enhancing their independence, and creating a safer environment.” Laxton is also excited about what the Pavilion can do for those who attend the LSN Conference: “This interactive experience will give attendees a glimpse of what the future holds for the delivery of services to older adults. We are very excited to showcase this new feature, in partnership with ProviNET Solutions, at LSN's Annual Meeting & Expo.”
“There are a lot of new, emerging technologies that promise to reinvent the way seniors can live independently,” agrees Goodfriend. “The Technology Pavilion is a place for senior care providers to become aware of these options. It’s also a forum where technology providers can build relationships with each other — which sometimes inspires more new technologies!”
LSN, an association recognized for its commitment to innovation and excellence, asked ProviNET Solutions to host the Technology Pavilion because of ProviNET’s national network and extensive experience with technology vendors as well as end users in the senior services and healthcare fields. ProviNET is the technology division of Providence Life Services, a company celebrating 50 years of senior services. For the past four years, ProviNET and Providence have put special emphasis on researching technologies, conducting pilots with technology vendors, and hosting forums where such vendors can learn from each other and keep developing solutions that will enhance the lives of end users and their families.
One result of these forums and pilot programs is that ProviNET Solutions is now beginning to introduce various technology components in the Providence Life Services communities they support. “Our perspective is that these are ‘technologies for life, for living,’” says Goodfriend. “There are many existing technologies that are specifically designed to help seniors age in place, allowing them to remain socially connected as well as remotely and discretely monitored, for example.”
Richard Schutt, CEO of Providence Life Services, is also familiar with both the science side of technology and the human side. He got his start at Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center of Palos Heights, Illinois. He has never forgotten his interactions with residents and their families, and all the emotions that are part of the aging process. As CEO, he continues to draw from those emotional, human interactions, and he allowed those influences to inform his vision as one of the co-founders of Centers for Aging Services and Technologies (CAST), a division of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the national organization of which LSN is the Illinois state affiliate.
“The technologies we’ve embraced today are truly advanced,” says Schutt, “but the spirit that drives them is very human. If technology is not relieving anxiety, improving health outcomes, increasing safety, or enhancing communication, we’re probably not interested in it.”
Goodfriend hopes the Technology Pavilion, which is co-sponsored by GE Healthcare and Intel Digital Health Group will make people aware that many beneficial technologies already exist today and can be implemented immediately. “There are 2,700 expected attendees at this year’s LSN Conference,” he says. “We hope that many of them will visit the Pavilion and see for themselves how existing products can improve the lives of the people they are serving right now.”
Providence Life Services and ProviNET Solutions are headquartered in Tinley Park, Illinois. For information, visit providencelifeservices.com or provinet.com, or call 708-342-8100.
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About LSN:
As one of the largest and most respected trade associations of its type in the country, Life Services Network is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, quality leadership, and expertise on issues related to long-term care and senior housing and services. LSN is the state affiliate of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).
About ProviNET Solutions:
ProviNET Solutions is a full-service IT company that offers a comprehensive spectrum of technology solutions, including IT consulting, support, training, and implementation, as well as technical assistance and hosting services. ProviNET supports a variety of Skilled, Independent, and Assisted Living communities as well as non-healthcare clients throughout the country.
About Providence Life Services:
Providence Life Services is a recognized leader in aging services, having begun in 1960 as the first Christian, not-for-profit nursing care provider in the Chicago area. Today they manage Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation communities, Retirement and Assisted Living housing, and provide home health and in-home private duty services in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
About CAST:
CAST is an international coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging-services organizations, businesses, research universities and government representatives working together under the auspices of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging to lead the charge to expedite the development, evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies that will transform the aging experience.
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