Independa, GreatCall Team to Integrate Emergency Response into Remote Monitoring of Elderly Living Independently

SAN DIEGO, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Telehealth innovator Independa™ announced today that it will integrate GreatCall's 5Star Urgent Response™ system into its Artemis™ wireless monitoring platform, enhancing ability to remotely track the well-being of elderly people who live independently.

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5Star, GreatCall's mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS), is the first safety monitoring feature planned for Artemis, set to become generally available this fall. Independa previously announced health and activity-related sensors.

GreatCall's emergency response system will join the ecosystem that Independa is building to help caregivers envelope elderly people living alone in a comprehensive network of care linked to wireless monitoring devices and Internet technology.

Using mobile and GPS technology for immediate, accurate location of the care recipient, GreatCall's system is the forward-looking update to emergency response systems of old that relied on wireline telephone technology.

"GreatCall is well-known for its innovations in elder care technology, product reliability and quality, and outstanding customer support, so we're very pleased to be adding its 5Star Urgent Response system to Artemis," said Independa CEO Kian Saneii. "The 5Star Device is attractive, small and convenient, and the peace of mind it can deliver is huge." 

In addition to the 5Star Device, GreatCall's Urgent Response service is available on the iPhone and Android mobile devices, as well as the Jitterbug mobile phone from GreatCall. A care recipient needs only to press a button on the 5Star Device to be connected to a trained customer service agent. GreatCall, of San Diego, supports 5Star Urgent Response users around the clock with full national coverage by certified care agents based in the United States.

Under the agreement with Independa, GreatCall will inform professional caregivers of emergency calls from Independa users. Reports on these calls will be incorporated into Independa's cloud-based Caregiver Web App, the central dashboard and control panel that provides a full picture of an older adult's health and well-being.

"We're very pleased that Independa selected our 5Star Urgent Response as the mPERS component of its Artemis monitoring suite," said GreatCall CEO David Inns. "Joining the Independa ecosystem will enable us to broaden our reach in the home care, home health and senior living markets, becoming part of a larger caring system."  

Laurie Orlov, founder of the market research firm Aging in Place Technology Watch, said: "Wireless and mobile technology represent the next significant direction in enabling older adults to feel safe when they are out and about. The addition of GreatCall's easy-to-use and highly accessible 5Star Urgent Response system to Independa's comprehensive suite of Integrated CloudCare solutions represents best-of-breed innovation to further that important trend."

About Independa, Inc.
Independa offers integrated technology-enabled independent-living solutions for the elderly. Independa's best-of-breed Integrated CloudCare services enable organizations and individuals to cost-effectively help the elderly to remain independent longer, safer and more comfortably. The company, which has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, provides holistic solutions that seamlessly operate across otherwise not connected devices, such as telephones, tablets, touchscreen computers and TVs. Services include medication and appointment reminders, support for activities of daily living, comprehensive social engagement benefits, and wireless health and safety monitoring. 

Web: http://www.independa.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/independa
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Independa

About GreatCall, Inc.
GreatCall differentiates itself as a company of "People You Can Count On" to deliver wireless services focused on helping to keep customers connected, safe and healthy™. The company stands apart from other wireless services providers through its simplified, personalized and humanized approach, as well as its commitment to providing a high-quality customer service experience. The company has been widely praised for its ability to deliver the benefits of innovation and technology in a meaningful and easy-to-use format. GreatCall has received prominent national media accolades from the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, Washington Post and major TV broadcast networks.

GreatCall's services, apps and cell phone handsets are sold nationwide at leading retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, Sears, Sears Hometown Stores, Radio Shack Dealer Franchise, Fry's Electronics and ShopKo, as well as direct to consumers at

1-800-918-8543 and online at GreatCall.com. Service coverage includes the U.S. and Canada. GreatCall is located in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit www.GreatCall.com.

SOURCE Independa