Hawaii Care Home is First to Use Ho’okele Health Innovations’ iHealthHome® Technology

A Modern “Touch” in Caring for the Elderly at Legacy Villa

HONOLULU – Legacy Villa has become Hawaii’s first care home to use an innovative eldercare touchscreen technology system built and trademarked by Honolulu-based Ho‘okele Health Innovations. Ho‘okele’s mission is to help seniors live well at home. Whether the home is a private residence, care home or retirement community, Ho‘okele’s iHealthHome® helps seniors and their caregivers stay connected and coordinated. The iHealthHome® system is an advanced in-home monitoring system that allows wellness monitoring, discreet motion sensor tracking of activities in the home or facility and seamless electronic communication amongst a care-giving team.

“The iHealthHome® program is a great system that keeps our records well-organized, and most importantly, it opens a window of transparency between our care-giving team and the families. This keeps everyone on task and makes the lives of those in care homes safer, healthier and more secure,” said Gary Hironaka, owner of the Kaneohe-based Legacy Villa, which houses four residents ranging in age from 72 to 91. “As an added benefit, this technology frees more time for our caregivers to spend with each resident.

“The iHealthHome® system is leading-edge technology that we built to help eldercare providers offer the highest quality service at efficient cost for Hawaii families,” said Ho‘okele co-founder Dew-Anne Langcaon. “The system helps care home operators electronically document their work and enables families to stay connected with the care home staff and their elder loved one. For seniors who wish to age in place at home, the system enables monitored living so families can have peace of mind that a loved one is safe, healthy and independent at home.”

That’s what appealed to Hironaka, who, at age 33, is one of the state’s youngest care home owners. Featuring Skype, picture galleries, a calendar of events, brain exercises and more, iHealthHome® allows for interactivity for the residents. Legacy Villa, which opened in November 2010, was specifically designed with private rooms and baths so residents could enjoy a comfortable and safe “home” environment, while “living their remaining years in dignity,” said Hironaka, whose parents also operate a care home in Kailua.

Hironaka initially used iHealthHome® during a pilot program and quickly saw the benefit of a closed system where information gathered by iHealthHome® is protected and families have quick and easy access to medical notes. He says it costs him about $5 a day to use the system. Legacy Villa is currently expanding its locations to serve Kailua and Kuliouou and he plans to install iHealthHome® in all his care homes. Hironaka said he has received the licensing that allows for care at the skilled-nursing level. That means he will be able to accept residents with diabetes, respiratory issues and/or in need of some type of medical life support.

Langcaon believes more care homes and assisted-living facilities will see the value in Ho‘okele’s advanced technologies and is excited that Legacy Villa is the first to use iHealthHome® in its residential care home setting.

About Ho‘okele

Ho‘okele, established in 2006, is devoted to helping Hawaii’s seniors live well at home. Whether an elder needs a professional RN Health Navigator to help coordinate their care, compassionate home caregivers or advanced technologies to stay connected, Ho‘okele can provide them help to meet their goals. Ho‘okele’s staff of “Health Navigators” includes registered nurses, social workers, pharmacists, therapists and physician advisors. Ho‘okele is an innovator in the development and use of in-home monitoring and collaboration technologies connecting health professionals with seniors living at home. Ho‘okele was a finalist for Most Innovative Company in Hawaii Business magazine’s SmallBiz Success Awards for 2011. More information is available at www.hookelehealth.com.

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