California’s Center for Technology and Aging on January 11th released information on their “Remote Patient Monitoring Diffusion Grants” program. The Center is now soliciting letters of intent from organizations that are interested in expanding the use of remote patient monitoring technologies to help improve the health and safety of older adults. Total funding available for this grant program is $500,000 with up to six grants to be awarded.
The three areas concerning remote patient monitoring that need to be addressed are chronic disease monitoring, post acute care monitoring, and safety monitoring. The goal is to reduce the use of emergency departments, enable older adults to remain independent, improve costs and quality of care, reduce the need for older adults to move to higher cost care settings, reduce the burden on caregivers, and develop better methods to monitor patient safety.
The strongest consideration will be given to applicants that not only demonstrate the ability to provide for clear and robust diffusion and adoption of the technologies but also can discuss how the project aligns with current and emerging reimbursement policies. It is important to demonstrate how the project will have strong potential to influence public policies that can in the long run improve long term and post acute care. In addition, a clear plan for sustainability must be included.
The program is designed to benefit older adults residing in California. The majority of the five or six projects including consortia and other collaborations must primarily provide direct benefits to older Californians. No less than four or as many as five of these grants must directly benefit older adults in California but one or two may benefit older adults in other regions of the U.S.
Projects are required to provide at least 25 percent in matching funds and/or in kind support equivalent to at least 25 percent of the requested award amount. This must be new funding specifically identified for the project and cannot come from existing operating funds. Technology and equipment costs cannot be counted toward the match.
A “Remote Patient Monitoring Tool Kit” will be developed to consist of successful strategies, case studies, and outcome measures. In addition, the Center will conduct an external evaluation on projects. Grantees must be willing to contribute to the development of a program tool kit and participate in the external project evaluation.
Primary applicants may be non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government agencies, universities and colleges, consortia, and public/private partnerships.
Applicant conference calls will be held February 2 and March 2. The application and letter of intent must be received by March 12th. By March 26th, the Center will invite those organizations with top projects of interest to submit a Full Grant Proposal. Those full proposals will be due by April 30th. The final award decision will be made by June 18 and July 1 is the expected start date.
For general information, go to www.techandaging.org. For specific questions, email Valerie Steinmetz at vsteinmetz@techandaging.org or call (510) 285-5687.
