MASON CITY, Iowa — Clear Lake nonprofit One Vision is participating in a new program called “Smart Living” that uses technology to help people with physical and intellectual disabilities live independently.
One Vision installs a custom set of smart technology in a person’s home to assist and monitor them remotely, eliminating the need for 24/7 support and allowing the nonprofit to expand.
Founded in 1966, One Vision offers a variety of services for people with disabilities, including employment services, job training, assisted care and group housing. The nonprofit serves more than 300 people in 20 communities across northern Iowa, from Lake Mills in the north to Fort Dodge in the south. One Vision also operates a thrift store and has an assisted living home for seniors.
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One Vision CEO Mark Dodd says the move to the Smart Living program comes after issues with staffing what they call “passive care” — people with disabilities who don’t require around-the-clock care but are still at risk for injuries like falls and need someone to be present in the event of an emergency. Dodd says the transition to Smart Living allows One Vision to redeploy staff more efficiently and create more openings.
“We are facing a workforce shortage… We know that workforce growth in our rural areas is projected to stagnate over the next 10 years,” Dodd said. “The idea that we can reduce our staffing demands means that we are building capacity in this organisation for some of our staff to go and support people who need that support around the clock.”
One Vision hopes to expand the Smart Living program from the current 20 people served to 60 by February.
“We have a great working relationship with the state and managed care organizations, so we are working with them to coordinate this expansion in a way that is sustainable,” Dodd said. One Vision installed its first set of custom technology in a customer’s home in June 2023.
Kelly Hinds, chief operating officer at One Vision, said independence and privacy are important for people with disabilities. Sometimes people who need care feel pressured to do activities they think the provider might like rather than what they would do if they were alone.
“Just by being there, we influence what they choose to do or not do throughout the day,” Hinds said.
Enter smart living. With a wide variety of smart technology (including devices like virtual assistants, motion sensors, home video displays, and even large appliances like kitchen stoves that stay cool to the touch), OneVision staff can support clients remotely, allowing them to live independently, with the peace of mind that comes from knowing a staff member is just a button press away. It also gives staff the flexibility to work from home.
Javen Swann, manager of Smart Living services at One Vision, said setups differ from person to person. One person may need a smart lock to prevent wandering off at night. Another may have motion sensors around the house programmed to detect falls or seizures.
“We really create a customized plan based on each individual’s needs and the technology,” Swann said.
All residences have two-way screens equipped for video calling, so staff can always be contacted or a person can be checked on. It’s similar to a FaceTime call, but encrypted to comply with HIPAA. Hinds said safety is the first priority and in-person staff is always available if needed.
“We are there in case of an emergency situation,” Hinds said. Swann agreed. “As good as technology is, not everything can be replaced… We can intervene when we receive an alert and provide them with the support they need. This allows us to not be a part of their entire life and be there only if they need it,” she said.
Swann said the success of the program is evident in how it changes lives. One client needed someone to wake him up in the morning before Smart Living. One Vision installed a smart light bulb, an alarm clock and an automatic pill machine to dispense morning medication. Sensors alert someone if the person doesn’t get up or take their medication. The client’s mother told staff it improved their relationship — no more scrambling to get out of the house every morning.
“Something that historically had been so dependent on someone else doing it, now it’s done completely alone,” Swann said.
Dodd said he is pleased with the development of Smart Living.
“It will give us the opportunity to continue to build capacity and expand and grow as an organization and serve more people,” Dodd said, “and they are enjoying their independence.”
© 2024 Official State Gazette
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