Posted by Peter Radsliff on Tue, Aug 17, 2010
These highly-rated iPhone Apps help family navigate the challenges of caring for their parents and what to do in an emergency. And now for a limited time only, they are FREE!
Do not hesitate. Go right to the Apple iTunes App Store and download both of these apps so you will have them when you need them. Elder 911 can be downloaded from your iPhone or iPod touch. Elder 411 contains a lot of video content and needs to be downloaded on your computer, and then sync'ed to your iPhone or iPod touch.
If you wish to read more about the apps before downloading, visit: http://www.elder411.net. Both apps take over 35 years of expertise from Doctor Marion and make it portable and instantly accessible. Lots of robust app features such as embedded videos, search, browse, notes, and email. Plus, registered users will get a full digital copy of Doctor Marion's book, "Elder Care Made Easier."
Don't wait until you get a phone call from the hospital. Get prepared for that day now, and have Doctor Marion at your side as you face the challenge of caring for an elder loved one.
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Thu, Jul 01, 2010
Presto subscribers have asked if we could develop a way to more easily get photos to their Presto Printing Mailbox users. That easier way is now here -- announcing a new free service: Presto DailySmile™ which lets you deliver a photo-a-day from Facebook or your computer to a Printing Mailbox.
If you are a Facebook user, you just tag photos from your albums or those you have access to, and they will automatically be added to a DailySmile "Photo Queue." Photos from that queue are then automatically delivered to your Presto user one per day.
For people who don't use Facebook, just upload photos from your computer at the Presto DailySmile website ( http://www.PrestoDailySmile.com ) and they likewise will be delivered one per day.
Facebook users who use Facebook Mobile will be able to add photos to their queue from their cell phones. And, you can even subscribe to certain albums which will post any added photos directly to the DailySmile Photo Queue.
It's tremendously easy to set up a week's, month's, or year's worth of photos and once you set it, you can almost forget it (because you get daily delivery confirmation emails and an “out of photos” alert email).
Since many people under a certain age primarily use Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family, Presto DailySmile can go along way in connecting grandkids and their grandparents. And it's free!
Visit http://www.PrestoDailySmile.com and sign up now. See how easy it is to keep the love flowing to your Presto user.
Peter Radsliff, Presto CEO
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Thu, Jun 03, 2010
Father’s Day is right around the corner. How often do you talk to Dad or Grandpa? What if you could make him smile every day with minimal effort on your part? If you'd like to find out how, I'm hosting an online seminar to preview a new, free service from Presto that does just that. Don't miss this sneak peek of a new technology that has the best chance of connecting grandkids to their grandparents.
Day, Date & Time: Monday, June 7, 2010, 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time (2:00 P.M. Eastern Time)
Web login at: www.dimdim.com room: prestoservices
or click: https://my.dimdim.com/prestoservices
Telephone dial-in: 605-715-4949 Pass code: 772375
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Thu, May 06, 2010
Face it, it’s almost impossible to get Mom something she really wants. Because what she really wants, is you: 24/7/365. So why do we always give “temporary” mothers day gifts like flowers or candy?
You know what she really wants; something that will make her cry (the good kind of tears). Something she is not expecting. Something she doesn’t even necessarily want if you asked her first. Something that isn’t easy to return, or put in the closet. Something that will bring her joy day, after day, after day.
I know a product that will do this. I know it because other people who have given it to their Moms have told me so. They, and their mothers, have told me, “it has changed her life…and ours!” and “it turned my life around” and “now it’s worth living a few more years” and “thank you again, from all the mothers”— I could go on with dozens more.
I am completely biased, because it’s my company sells this product. It’s my job to try and get you to buy this product for your Mom, or Dad, or in-law, or other elder loved one. But nothing I could say will remotely tell the story of my company’s product like the words of our customers above. And, quite honestly, after three years of seeing how much people love our product, and what a difference it has made in their lives, I can’t even possibly try to convince you by telling you what it is, or what it does.
But, I will tell you where you can read over 100 other user reviews that tell all about it: http://www.tinyurl.com/prestoamazonand http://www.tinyurl.com/prestodrugstore. And, I will lower the price in my website store for mothers day to make it LESS than sending a dozen roses. And, I will give you a 60-day moneyback guarantee. And, I willnever ask you to sign a contract for our service. How much easier can I make it to make your mother cry?
So just do it. Take a risk. Don’t ask her first. Don’t ask your sister or brother. Mom’s not getting any younger, you know. Take action now and prove that you’re the good son or daughter that she has always told her friends you were. Give the gift of family connection while she can still best enjoy it. And, if it’s too late for mothers day, it doesn't matter. It’s not too late for the other 364 days of the year: www.presto.com.
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Sat, Mar 20, 2010
Aging-in-place news: On thursday March 18, 2010 there was a meeting of the newly formed Aging Technology Alliance at Mary Furlong's “What's Next” Boomer Business Summit in Chicago. The meeting had about 50 people from companies, organizations and consultancies interested in joining the alliance. The alliance board of directors presented the vision, mission and new name of the organization to the attendees plus the plans for organizational structure, membership criteria and upcoming plans. There was a groundswell of interest in the alliance and most of the attendees filled out membership forms to join.
Presentations were made by board members Peter Radsliff (Presto Services), Michele Ahlman (ClearSounds), Jill Gilbert (Digital Health @ CES), Bud Myers (firstSTREET), and Laura Mitchell (GrandCare Systems).
The board made it clear that the alliance (nicknamed “AgeTek”) was devoted to promoting the awareness, benefits and value of member products and services, and that this organization was more of a trade group (like a chamber of commerce), rather than an future-think tank. AgeTek Members were defined as for-profit companies with under 100 employees.
The board also presented a special class of Advisory Members for academic institutions, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies with over 100 employees. These advisory members will play an important role in bringing information to the broad membership, acting as a link out to academia and industry, and assisting members in finding methods of distribution for their products and services.
A final membership class of Associate Members was also announced for vendors and service providers who wish to participate with and have special access to AgeTek member companies.
During the meeting, the board broke the room into six committees to discuss the alliance's mission and goals. Each group reported back to the larger group with their one big takeaway while board members attached to each group were tasked to bring the comments and any concerns back to the board for consideration and action. The board mentioned that through these six committees the work of the alliance would get done.
Finally, membership forms were passed out, filled out and turned in and the AgeTek logo was unveiled on a special t-shirt that was commissioned by the board, beautifully designed by Angie Gubler and expertly silk-screened by Rick Creager.
Membership in the Aging Technology Alliance is now open and everyone is invited to join in their respective classes. Commentary on the alliance and meeting itself can be found here on analyst Laurie Orlov’s blog. More information can be found at the alliance website: http://www.agetek.org.
Presto and AgeTek - As Presto’s CEO, my hopes are that belonging to an alliance such as AgeTek will provide many synergies that can help Presto get into the hands of more families that need it to combat social isolation and facilitate long distance caregiving. I was elected as the AgeTek board chairman, and in this capacity I will also strive to create partnerships that can bring more value to existing Presto subscribers as well. It's a brave new world in home health technologies, and smaller innovative companies like those in the alliance is where all the interesting work is happening.
Peter
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Fri, Jan 08, 2010
[photo: Presto Services Inc. shared under creative commons license]
Las Vegas, NV - Consumer Electronics Show - Day One
Presto Services Inc. and Dr. Marion combined forces to promote their Elder 411 and Elder 911 Apps for iPhone and iPod touch at the CES Silver Summit. The first day has a good crowd of people at the show, many of whom came by the Silver Summit pavilion to see all the companies with elder technology there.
Attendees commented on how robust the Elder Apps were and were amazed that they only cost $0.99 and $1.99 each. Elder 411 contains over 500 pieces of expert elder care advice including video and audio content, helping arm family caregivers with information when and where they need it most. Elder 911 provides a crisis timeline and many expert checklists to help a caregiver navigate an elder medical emergency.
Both apps are on display in booth 3209 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center along with Dr. Marion and Presto's other products including the Presto computerless email solution.
Attendees and press have an opportunity to meet Doctor Marion herself and Presto's CEO Peter Radsliff to discuss elder care technology and the future of the industry.
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Fri, Dec 04, 2009
Are you like me, tired of tech "journalists" who for their lack of anything significant to add to the world of ideas, use their pulpit to propagate myopic opinion? Take a look at CNET's Rafe Needleman's article (and my comment) which relegates Presto to the likes of yogurt makers and USB missile launchers.
I wouldn't be so bugged by this if I wasn't the recipient of HUNDREDS of comments from Presto subscribers saying what a blessing it is for their families and that it was the best gift their mom or dad ever received.
Although I will defend to the death Mr. Needleman's right to express his opinion in this free society, it doesn't stop me from expressing my own, and encouraging all of you to likewise comment on his article with your feelings about Presto.
Thanks in advance for making your opinions known, whatever they are.
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Tue, Dec 01, 2009
Sometimes an idea comes along that just makes so much sense that it takes on a life of its own. A number of months ago, I was meeting with Craig Caryl and Marion Somers Ph.D. (a.k.a. Doctor Marion) of Elder Health Resources of America, Inc. We were talking about the synergies between our two businesses and what a need there is in the U.S. for solutions like Presto, and experience like that amassed by Doctor Marion over 35+ years as a geriatric care manger. We also were talking about the economy and how business had changed, requiring new innovative ways of working together to get things done.
At that point in the conversation, a phone rang and both Craig and I reached for our Apple iPhones. After a shared smile and the obligatory discussion of our favorite apps, it dawned on us. We started talking about the possibilities of combining Presto’s expertise in software development with Doctor Marion’s expertise in elder care to provide expert advice to family caregivers when and where they need it most—on their smart phone. Right then and there we decided to work together, leveraging each organization’s strengths to bring something new and very much needed to the world: the first Elder Apps.
After initial research, we confirmed our assumption that the iPhone would be the platform we chose. And after further research, it became clear that two apps were needed: one to provide a guide in case of an elder medical emergency, and one to provide expert advice to ease the ongoing task of providing elder care. The app names were a natural outgrowth of their functions: Elder 911 (emergency) and Elder 411 (information).
Our collaboration is one of convenience and shared passion for providing solutions for family caregivers. With today’s announcement of the Elder 411 and Elder 911 app for iPhone and iPod touch, Presto and Doctor Marion have forged new ground. Not only by launching the first elder care apps for iPhone, but also by finding a new way to work together and make the result worth more than the sum of its parts.
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Mon, Oct 19, 2009
[photo by PhotoDu.de used under the creative commons attribution license]
One of the more difficult discussions a child can have with their parent is when it is time to “take away the keys” because it’s unsafe for them to drive anymore. This is a emotionally charged issue. Not only does it signal a major change in lifestyle and independence, it also presents a difficult interpersonal situation for both parent and child. Here is a great article on the topic from geriatric expert Doctor Marion: [article]
But how about those other keys that may be bringing grandpa or grandma into a danger zone: the keys on their computer keyboard? Unlike the car, these keys don’t need to be taken away. But as he or she ages, they may need more help because of eyesight problems, arthritis, memory issues, or just the same issues we all deal with keeping our computers virus-free and running smoothly.
What I’ve done for the two elders in my life is get them each a Presto computerless email system in addition to their regular PCs. One of them wrote to tell me, “At first, I questioned the value of having another “gadget” in my house when I can already access emails on the computer. But I am here to tell you that at 86 years old, it is nice to have notes and pictures delivered to me with no effort on my part.” She went on to tell me, “I put the pictures on my coffee table or on the fridge. It gives me great pleasure to see them again and again throughout the day. I also love being able to carry them with me when I visit friends.”
When I asked how often she checked email, the answer I got was, “Once a week, or so.” When I asked if she ever printed out any photos that her six kids or 13 grandkids would email to her computer, she said, “No.”
If you’re a child of an elder loved one who is worried about them becoming lonely or disconnected from their broader family and friends, you may want to consider a computerless email system such as Presto as a supplement to their personal IT infrastructure. At least you’ll know that you can always get messages and photos to them, regardless of their PC’s condition, or their abilities.
Posted by Peter Radsliff on Tue, Sep 22, 2009
Here are ten reasons to get a Presto computerless email system for your grandparents this Holiday season:
1. It will let you contact grandma or grandpa when you really don’t have time for a 30 minute phone call.
2. You can eliminate excuses from extended family members for not staying in touch with the grandparents.
3. You can send digital photos to "gran" so you have something to talk about the next time you see her.
4. It's easy to send a list of important dates and events (birthdays, graduations, etc.) so grandma and grandpa don’t forget.
5. You can finally create and deliver Google map directions by email when they call to ask how to get somewhere.
6. You can also forward an authoritative article that proves to Grandma that you were right all along.
7. You are able to give the gift of bragging rights over their neighbors in the retirement village by sending same-day photos of their grandkids doing something spectacular.
8. Buying Presto for grandma and grandpa as a gift this holiday will save the family from enduring more “You never call” guilt trips.
9. You will make your grandparents the envy of all of their friends.
10. And finally, in finding the perfect gift for grandma or grandpa, you are also finding the perfect gift for you and the rest of the family, because you will never again need to get photo prints from the drugstore and send them via U.S. Mail. In fact, you can snap a photo with your iPhone, and email it to Grandpa who will get it a few hours later. And for grandma, how cool is that?