The PalatiumCare Postman is now making deliveries

Residents in senior living facilities are finding new and wonderful ways to use Facebook; to stay connected with loved ones, to get to know their fellow residents, and to share with the world the many activities that keep them active every day.

Now they can also use Facebook to add a dose of nostalgia to their day, courtesy of the PalatiumCare Postman.

Each day, the Postman delivers pictures, video and bios that are sure to bring back memories of life in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Who was topping the charts in 1952? What was the cost of gas thirty years ago? Do you remember this classic TV show? Just Like the PalatiumCare Facebook page, and you'll be notified every time the Postman makes a delivery.

Facebook users of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun. Share with others what you remember about iconic music, TV and advertising. Tell us what you think about the artwork of days-gone-by comic strips. Play fact-checker every Friday when we share nuggets of nostalgia. Read, respond and enjoy deliveries from the PalatiumCare Postman!

The State of My State

PalatiumCare serves communities all over the US. We've learned, over the years, that all of these communities come with their own set of rules and regulations, especially when it comes to life safety systems.

Because nurse call systems are closely inspected, here are three important questions to ask before looking for a new nurse call system:

1. Is wireless technology allowed in my area?
It's very rare, but there are still some buildings, mostly skilled care, who are required to use hard-wired life safety systems. If this rule is still on the books in your community, it's worth the time to contact the office which handles your building's inspections to find out if there are plans to change this regulation. (Many states follow the AIA Guide for Health Care Facilities, which added specifications for wireless nurse call systems several years ago.)

2. Is my facility required to have corridor lights?
This is more common for skilled care. In fact, about half the states in the nation still require corridor and over-the-door lights to signal care givers. (PalatiumCare can integrate lights, but not all wireless systems can.) One of the big advantages of a wireless system is an easy and quick installation. The wiring required to run lights will not only slow the process down, it also inflates the cost. Because PalatiumCare tells you instantly where a call originated, lights are redundant.

3. Am I required to install devices in a bathroom?
Many facilities use portable pendants, which can go anywhere a resident goes. However, there are some states which require a call device in bathrooms -- both private and public. This is even the case in some states for Assisted Living facilities. Find out what's required before placing your order.

If you're not sure what the rules are for your area, call 888-725-2848. A PalatiumCare representative would be happy to share what they know about your area and point you in the right direction for getting more questions answered.

Disappearing Act

In recent months, we've learned that a couple major suppliers of nurse call systems are leaving the market. This will leave many facilities unable to purchase new equipment or call for service on a vital system within their building.

These companies go through a years-long process to phase out these systems. But with so many customers, and so many pressing concerns taking the attention of senior living administrators and owners, I would bet that many people will feel that their nurse call's disappearing act will come as a big, unpleasant surprise.

This situation highlights a problem that affects most nurse call companies. Because these proprietary nurse call systems only work with equipment created by the company, when the company goes out of business or discontinues a product, the customer is left with a non-functional system and tens of thousands of dollars of useless devices.

Before I explain how PalatiumCare resolves this issue, let me say that our company has no plans to leave the nurse call market. In fact, we feel like we're just getting started. However, if a plane were to fall from the sky and destroy PalatiumCare HQ, you can rest easy knowing that your investment is safe. PalatiumCare is non-proprietary, meaning that our equipment will work even if our software goes away.

PalatiumCare uses an Inovonics backbone, which continues to set the standard for wireless technology. We didn't feel the need to reinvent the wheel when it came to our devices, so the Inovonics backbone will work with other call systems if you decide that PalatiumCare just isn't working for you. Conversely, we can put our de-centralized operating system into any building that already uses Inovonics* technology. This not only allows for more flexibility during the life of your call system, but also provides an invaluable safety net in the unlikely event that something happens to us.

As the industry grows and changes, PalatiumCare is dedicated to staying non-proprietary and always using the most reliable technologies. So you'll never receive a letter from PalatiumCare indicating that you have to replace your entire nurse call system. Never.

To learn more about PalatiumCare or to find out if your system is one of those being phased out, call 888-725-2848.


*PalatiumCare uses the EN series of Inovonics technology.