Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In Mix and Matchbox podcast episode 5, host Brent Feldman sits down with Mike Bates, co-founder of Hearo, a platform that’s revolutionizing remote care for agencies and individuals in need. The conversation dives into the origins of Hearo, its unique approach to empowering care providers, and its innovative use of technology to enhance personal independence. Below, we explore the key takeaways from their discussion.
What Is Hearo? A Platform Designed For Care Agencies
Hearo is a remote support platform created specifically for care agencies. The platform is tailored for agencies that provide varying levels of care—from a few hours a day to 24/7 coverage. It allows these organizations to manage remote monitoring and care within their own teams rather than outsourcing it, making it a flexible, scalable solution for agencies large and small.
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Mike explains how the platform helps both care providers and the individuals they serve by allowing real-time monitoring and reducing the need for staff presence in homes. Hearo fills the gap between having no care at all and constant in-home monitoring, enhancing the independence of those who may not require full-time assistance.
The Evolution Of Hearo: From Video Communication To Remote Care
Interestingly, Hearo didn’t start as a care platform. Mike and his co-founder originally aimed to create a simplified voice and video communication solution, an idea born before the rise of Zoom. They joined an accelerator in Springfield, Missouri, where they met an investor who introduced them to the need for remote care solutions. That was the turning point for Hearo, which soon became a platform designed to assist care agencies in offering remote monitoring without third-party involvement.
The Benefits Of Hearo: Empowering Agencies And Individuals
Hearo is designed with both care agencies and individuals in mind. By integrating sensor technology and communication features, Hearo enables remote monitoring that helps individuals maintain autonomy in their homes. Mike shares examples of how Hearo has allowed agencies to reduce overnight staff without sacrificing quality of care.
Additionally, the platform is built to handle the logistics of scaling, making it perfect for large agencies that need to monitor multiple locations. This reduces strain on agencies that are already struggling with staff shortages, while also providing them with better tools for tracking care.
Privacy And Security: Keeping Data Secure Without Big Tech
One of the concerns discussed in the episode is privacy. Mike emphasizes that Hearo doesn’t rely on third-party platforms like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, which often collect and store user data. Instead, Hearo uses proprietary technology, ensuring that sensitive information remains private and secure. This choice not only enhances privacy but also avoids unnecessary complications that might arise from depending on external tech companies.
Accessibility: How Hearo Is Addressing The Needs Of All Users
During trade shows and product demonstrations, the team at Hearo quickly realized the importance of accessibility, especially for individuals with hearing or visual impairments. This has driven the company to continuously improve the platform, ensuring it serves people with a wide range of needs. Mike admits that while they didn’t initially focus on accessibility, it has now become a core element of Haero’s mission.
Overcoming Barriers To Adoption: The Challenges Ahead
Despite the benefits Hearo offers, Mike acknowledges that the adoption of this type of technology faces some hurdles. Many organizations are hesitant to trust technology, especially when they’ve had poor experiences with off-the-shelf consumer products in the past. Video cameras, for example, are often seen as invasive, and people are wary of tech failing at crucial moments. However, Hearo combats these issues with reliable, non-invasive solutions like bed sensors and other data-driven tools that help agencies respond quickly to potential issues.
The Future Of Hearo: Expanding Capabilities And Applications
While Mike couldn’t reveal too much about Hearo’s future plans, he hinted at exciting developments on the horizon, particularly around improving the hardware and expanding the platform’s capabilities. Hearo is continually looking for ways to make its technology more accessible, efficient, and adaptable to new use cases, from home hospice care to special needs support.
Conclusion: A Future-Forward Approach To Remote Care
Hearo is not just transforming how care agencies operate; it’s also changing the lives of individuals who can now live more independently while receiving the care they need. By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of the human side of care, Hearo stands out as a leader in the remote care space.
Stay tuned to the Mix and Matchbox podcast for more insights into industry innovations!
This Product Helps With Self-Sufficiency Full Video (Episode 5)
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