Kaiser Permanente, Best Buy partner for senior safety

It could be a lifesaver for seniors---and the families that care for them----thanks to a partnership between Kaiser Permanente and Best Buy. The partnership will create an innovative solution for seniors and caregivers that leverages technology and support services, through a remote monitoring tool called Lively Mobile Plus.

“Seniors are feeling vulnerable while living through a pandemic, and supporting them during this time is more important now than ever before,” said Marci J. Teresi, MD, Geriatric Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center.

Kaiser Permanente Medicare members will now be able to sign up for Lively Mobile Plus, a 2-way communication device that provides help at home or on the go with a press of a button, 24/7. Lively Mobile Plus is connected to trained agents, who are skilled in triaging emergency and non-emergency situations, and can send help if a senior is locked out of their home, experiences car trouble, in potential danger, or experiencing a medical emergency.

The Lively Mobile Plus Personal Emergency Response System also includes urgent response service staff who can direct members to relevant Kaiser Permanente online resources, provide assistance in locating a Kaiser Permanente facility or member services and includes a co-branded smartphone app, which allows family, friends, and caregivers to stay informed about the member’s safety and access to Kaiser Permanente caregiving resources.

“We started this project before the COVID-19 pandemic and this has only become more relevant to help family caregivers get peace of mind,” said Chris Stenzel, vice president, National Business Development and Innovation, Kaiser Permanente. “We’re excited to showcase what we’ve learned from our employees and help our members navigate challenges in ways that fit seamlessly with their daily lives.”

Lively Mobile Plus is just the latest addition to Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare Affinity Program, which features partnerships with leading organizations that allow Medicare members to receive non-medical products and services at discounted prices.