The Alzheimer's Association announced a number of changes to its Comfort Zone tracking service at the CTIA Wireless 2011 event in Orlando, Florida. The newest release of the product, called Comfort Zone Check-In helps people with Alzheimer's to stay safe and independent while giving caregivers the tools they need to remotely monitor those in their care. Omnilink Systems powers the offering.
The upgrades include the ability for caregivers to locate people with Alzheimer's as long as they have a Sprint phone that has an active service plan.The new service upgrades also allow users to schedule once daily location requests that send notifications via text message or email. Caregivers can also monitor several different users' devices using a single account.
Perhaps the most dramatic and important change is the new pricing option: Users can opt for a low priced, on-demand only rate plan to track individuals only when a caregiver chooses instead of on a continuous schedule.
"Omnilink's partnership with the Alzheimer's Association for Comfort Zone first demonstrated how we can apply our location-based services expertise to help consumers monitor the people and things that matter most in their lives," Aaron Charlesworth, Vice President of Marketing and Product, Omnilink stated in the press release. "It's very exciting to have the opportunity to extend this unique product to provide a greater continuum of services as a person's disease progresses and their safety needs change."
Backgrounder: Here's a round-up of Alzheimer's-related mobile health services we put together in September 2009: Article.
For more on Comfort Zone, read the Omnilink press release after the jump.
The original Comfort Zone offering enabled users to track individuals at 15 or 30 minute intervals.
ORLANDO, Fla., March 22, 2011 -- CTIA Wireless 2011 -- Omnilink Systems, the leading provider of pre-built applications for tracking people and assets, today announced that it has released Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone Check-In as an extension of the current Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone® product. Comfort Zone Check-In offers individuals with Alzheimer's and their caregivers a range of new device, service plans and features to create more options for helping to maintain an individual's independence and security.
Comfort Zone Check-In includes an easy to use web-based tracking application and works with tracking devices, similar to the original Comfort Zone tool, with several differences, including:
* The ability to locate any Sprint phone that has an active service plan
* Low price, on-demand only rate plans that track individuals only when the caregiver chooses instead of on a continuous schedule
* Scheduling once daily location requests with notification by text or email
* The ability to track several different devices using a single account
"Since we launched the Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone comprehensive service, we've seen those with Alzheimer's gain more independence while providing their families with greater peace of mind," said Beth Kallmyer, senior director of constituent services. "Comfort Zone Check–In now offers a self-service plan giving families the option to track any Sprint cell phone and provide daily scheduled location requests for a reasonable value."
Unlike the original Comfort Zone solution that offers plans and monitoring services built on the concept of tracking an individual at regular intervals, every 15 or 30 minutes, Comfort Zone Check-In offers plans for use in locating a person with Alzheimer's only when needed. Both options enable caregivers and family members to create customized tracking programs for any individual being monitored. The new Comfort Zone Check-In will also make use of the most advanced GPS and cellular technologies to determine an individual's location. Families or caregivers will be able to log into a secure, password-protected web site similar to logging into most email systems to proactively manage all aspects of their specific tracking programs.
"Omnilink's partnership with the Alzheimer's Association for Comfort Zone first demonstrated how we can apply our location-based services expertise to help consumers monitor the people and things that matter most in their lives," said Aaron Charlesworth, Vice President of Marketing and Product. "It's very exciting to have the opportunity to extend this unique product to provide a greater continuum of services as a person's disease progresses and their safety needs change."
The price of the Comfort Zone Check-In service packages vary depending on the device being monitored, but will start at $9.99 per month. For more information, visit www.comfortzonecheckin.com
Omnilink is showcasing its solutions in the Sprint booth (#3076) at the International CTIA Wireless 2011 show in Orlando.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org.
About Omnilink Systems
Omnilink Systems is a leading provider of end-to-end LBS (location-based services) for any tracking solution. Pairing its award-winning FocalPoint™ software with hardware, services and networks, Omnilink offers the most accurate, reliable and cost effective platform for powering location-aware mobile devices and applications. Working with tier-one carriers, Fortune 100 companies, leading nonprofits and hundreds of government agencies through its Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) model, Omnilink helps ensure the safety, security and productivity of people and valuable assets. For more information, please visit www.omnilink.com.
