Smart Living
SMART LIVING
Technology That Supports Greater Independence
Smart Living is Hope Haven’s person-centered approach to using technology in ways that promote independence,
autonomy, safety, and community inclusion.
Through individualized assessments, we identify technology and service options that can provide the
right support at the right time—without adding unnecessary or intrusive assistance.
Support Designed Around the Person
Technology is already part of how most people communicate, manage schedules, navigate their communities, stay connected, and complete everyday tasks. People with disabilities should have access to those same tools and opportunities.
Smart Living begins by learning about each member’s goals, routines, strengths, preferences, and support needs. From there, Hope Haven works with the member and their support team to determine whether technology could help them experience greater independence and control in daily life.
The goal is not simply to use more technology. It is to create support that is more individualized, better aligned, and less intrusive.
Support Designed Around the Person
Technology is already part of how most people communicate, manage schedules, navigate their communities, stay connected, and complete everyday tasks. People with disabilities should have access to those same tools and opportunities.
Smart Living begins by learning about each person’s goals, routines, strengths, preferences, and support needs. From there, Hope Haven works with the person and their support team to determine whether technology could help them experience greater independence and control in daily life.
The goal is not simply to use more technology. It is to create support that is more individualized, better aligned, and less intrusive.
What Smart Living Can Support
Increase independence and confidence
Provide greater privacy and autonomy at home
Improve access to support when it is needed
Promote safety and overall well-being
Strengthen daily living and employment skills
Expand access to services in rural communities
Help people remain connected to their communities
Make in-person support more focused and meaningful
What Smart Living Can Support
Increase independence and confidence
Provide greater privacy and autonomy at home
Improve access to support when it is needed
Promote safety and overall well-being
Strengthen daily living and employment skills
Expand access to services in rural communities
Help people remain connected to their communities
Make in-person support more focused and meaningful
Technology does not replace relationships or eliminate the need for in-person staff. It helps ensure that support is available in a way that better fits the person’s life.
Technology does not replace relationships or eliminate the need for in-person staff. It helps ensure that support is available in a way that better fits the person’s life.
Smart Living Support Options
Remote Support — Help When It Is Needed—Without Someone Always in the Room
Remote Support combines enabling technology with assistance from trained Hope Haven Remote Support Professionals.
Through live two-way communication and individualized technology in the home, a member can connect with staff for guidance, reminders, reassurance, or help with an unexpected need. Remote Support Professionals may also respond to alerts and contact identified in-person backup support when physical assistance is required.
Remote Support may be available throughout designated times in the member’s service plan rather than only through scheduled appointments. This can provide meaningful oversight and assistance while allowing the member greater privacy and independence in their own home.
People Who Know the Person
Hope Haven’s Remote Support Professionals spend time getting to know each member before services begin. They learn the member’s routines, preferences, communication style, and individualized support plan.
Remote Support Professionals work from Hope Haven’s Remote Support Center in Spirit Lake. When in-person assistance is needed, they follow established backup and on-call procedures to connect the member with the appropriate help.
Telehealth — Scheduled Support From a Familiar Staff Member
Telehealth uses secure two-way video and audio communication to provide a portion of a member’s services through scheduled virtual visits.
During a telehealth appointment, a Hope Haven staff member works directly with the person on their identified goals. Whenever possible, telehealth is provided by someone the member already knows and trusts.
Appointments may focus on:
Independent living skills
Budgeting and financial goals
Medication organization and reminders
Cleaning and maintaining a safe home
Mental health goals and coping skills
Wellness check-ins
Employment support and job coaching
Skill development, training, and reminders
Telehealth may be used when appropriate within certain community living, employment, and peer-support services. It can provide greater flexibility and help people in rural communities access support more frequently.
Remote Support and Telehealth: What Is the Difference?
Remote Support
Provides access to staff during the times identified in a person’s service plan. Assistance is available when needed through enabling technology and live communication.
Telehealth
Consists of scheduled, one-on-one virtual appointments focused on specific goals, coaching, teaching, check-ins, or skill development.
Both options use technology, but they serve different purposes. A member may benefit from one or both depending on their needs and individualized service plan.
Smart Living Support Options
Remote Support — Help When It Is Needed—Without Someone Always in the Room
Remote Support combines enabling technology with assistance from trained Hope Haven Remote Support Professionals.
Through live two-way communication and individualized technology in the home, a member can connect with staff for guidance, reminders, reassurance, or help with an unexpected need. Remote Support Professionals may also respond to alerts and contact identified in-person backup support when physical assistance is required.
Remote Support may be available throughout designated times in the member’s service plan rather than only through scheduled appointments. This can provide meaningful oversight and assistance while allowing the member greater privacy and independence in their own home.
People Who Know the Person
Hope Haven’s Remote Support Professionals spend time getting to know each member before services begin. They learn the member’s routines, preferences, communication style, and individualized support plan.
Remote Support Professionals work from Hope Haven’s Remote Support Center in Spirit Lake. When in-person assistance is needed, they follow established backup and on-call procedures to connect the member with the appropriate help.
Telehealth — Scheduled Support From a Familiar Staff Member
Telehealth uses secure two-way video and audio communication to provide a portion of a member’s services through scheduled virtual visits.
During a telehealth appointment, a Hope Haven staff member works directly with the member on their identified goals. Whenever possible, telehealth is provided by someone the member already knows and trusts.
Appointments may focus on:
Independent living skills
Budgeting and financial goals
Medication organization and reminders
Cleaning and maintaining a safe home
Mental health goals and coping skills
Wellness check-ins
Employment support and job coaching
Skill development, training, and reminders
Telehealth may be used when appropriate within certain community living, employment, and peer-support services. It can provide greater flexibility and help people in rural communities access support more frequently.
Remote Support and Telehealth: What Is the Difference?
Remote Support
Provides access to staff during the times identified in a person’s service plan. Assistance is available when needed through enabling technology and live communication.
Telehealth
Consists of scheduled, one-on-one virtual appointments focused on specific goals, coaching, teaching, check-ins, or skill development.
Both options use technology, but they serve different purposes. A member may benefit from one or both depending on their needs and individualized service plan.
Technology That Fits the Person
There is no standard package of Smart Living equipment. Technology is selected based on the member’s assessed needs, preferences, home environment, and goals.
Examples may include:
Two-way communication screens
Voice-activated assistants
Medication reminders or dispensers
Motion and fall-detection sensors
Smart locks and video doorbells
Smart smoke detectors
Wearable safety or health devices
Blood-pressure cuffs and glucose monitors
Automated lighting
Backup battery systems
Selected indoor or outdoor safety devices
Technology that assists with television controls or other everyday activities
The best technology is not necessarily the newest or most advanced. It is the technology that adds meaningful value to the member’s life.
Technology That Fits the Person
There is no standard package of Smart Living equipment. Technology is selected based on the person’s assessed needs, preferences, home environment, and goals.
Examples may include:
Two-way communication screens
Voice-activated assistants
Medication reminders or dispensers
Motion and fall-detection sensors
Smart locks and video doorbells
Smart smoke detectors
Wearable safety or health devices
Blood-pressure cuffs and glucose monitors
Automated lighting
Backup battery systems
Selected indoor or outdoor safety devices
Technology that assists with television controls or other everyday activities
The best technology is not necessarily the newest or most advanced. It is the technology that adds meaningful value to the person’s life.
The Smart Living Process
1. Start The Conversation
The member, guardian when applicable, service coordinator, family members, and other members of the support team learn about Smart Living and consider where technology may provide meaningful support.
2. Understand Current Support Needs
Hope Haven reviews the member’s routines and current support needs, including when active in-person assistance is needed and when staff are primarily available in case help is requested.
3. Complete An Individualized Assessment
A trained Hope Haven team member completes a Smart Living Assessment with the member and someone who knows them well. The assessment helps connect individual needs and goals with appropriate technology and support options.
4. Develop The Plan
The team reviews the assessment, discusses potential risks and benefits, and develops individualized recommendations. Technology, Remote Support schedules, backup procedures, and service-plan changes are determined with the member and their team.
5. Install Technology And Provide Training
The technology is installed and customized. The member, household staff, and Remote Support Professionals receive training, and remote and in-person support may overlap during the transition.
6. Review And Adjust
Hope Haven continues evaluating how the technology and services are working and makes adjustments as the member’s needs or goals change.
The full process is intentionally thorough and often takes approximately two to three months from the initial conversation through implementation.
GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Mental, physical, and/or psychiatric disabilities that are barriers to gainful employment and/or independent living
Ability to benefit from the program
Consent from the individual or from a legal guardian
Funding for services
Free from active chemical abuse
Not a serious threat to self or others
Generally does not have first- or second-degree criminal convictions
Hope Haven does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, sex,
or disabling condition. Hope Haven is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.
What Smart Living Is—and What It Is Not
Smart Living Is
Individualized and person-centered
Designed to increase independence and autonomy
Based on assessments and support-team input
Focused on the least intrusive effective support
A combination of technology, relationships, and direct support
Adaptable for different abilities and communication needs
Smart Living Is Not
Surveillance
A one-size-fits-all equipment package
Support provided only by an outside monitoring company
Limited to people who are already highly independent
A replacement for all in-person assistance
Less support simply because technology is involved
Remote Support is not about removing care. It is about better aligning care with when and how a person needs it.
What Smart Living Is—and What It Is Not
Smart Living Is
Individualized and person-centered
Designed to increase independence and autonomy
Based on assessments and support-team input
Focused on the least intrusive effective support
A combination of technology, relationships, and direct support
Adaptable for different abilities and communication needs
Smart Living Is Not
Surveillance
A one-size-fits-all equipment package
Support provided only by an outside monitoring company
Limited to people who are already highly independent
A replacement for all in-person assistance
Less support simply because technology is involved
Remote Support is not about removing care. It is about better aligning care with when and how a person needs it.
MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS
Hope Haven, Inc. has contracts with each of the three Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that will manage the care for most
Iowans who have Medicaid coverage. The three MCOs that Hope Haven has finalized contracts with include:
Wellpoint
Iowa Total Care
Molina
Questions regarding Hope Haven and its Medicaid managed care contracts may be directed to April Metzger at (712) 476-2737
MORE OF WHAT WE DO
Community Living
Day Habilitation
Employment Services
Mental Health
Spiritual Support
International Ministries
Manufacturing
Could Smart Living Be a Good Fit?
Every member’s needs, goals, and living situation are different. Hope Haven’s Smart Living team can help individuals, families, guardians, and support teams learn about the available options and determine whether an assessment may be appropriate.
Visitors may also request a tour of Hope Haven’s Smart Living demonstration room to see some of the technology in action.
Could Smart Living Be a Good Fit?
Every member’s needs, goals, and living situation are different. Hope Haven’s Smart Living team can help individuals, families, guardians, and support teams learn about the available options and determine whether an assessment may be appropriate.
Visitors may also request a tour of Hope Haven’s Smart Living demonstration room to see some of the technology in action.
Locations:
Rock Valley, IA
Sioux Falls, SD
Orange City, IA
Rock Rapids, IA
Spencer, IA
Emmetsburg, IA
Estherville, IA
Locations:
Rock Valley, IA
Sioux Falls, SD
Orange City, IA
Rock Rapids, IA
Spencer, IA
Emmetsburg,IA
Estherville, IA
Le Mars, IA
Pipestone, MN
Sheldon, IA
Sibley, IA
Spirit Lake, IA
Sioux Center, IA
Storm Lake, IA
Worthington, MN
Le Mars. IA
Pipestone, MN
Sheldon, IA
Sibley, IA
Spirit Lake, IA
Sioux Center, IA
Storm Lake, IA
Worthington, MN
Hope Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 42-0890017. All gifts are tax-deductible.
15+
Communities Served
50+
Community Living Homes
110
Countries Reached
15+
Wheelchairs Distributed
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Hope Haven began in 1964 as a school for children with disabilities in Rock Valley, Iowa. Today, that same vision continues through local disability services across Iowa and Minnesota and our international wheelchair ministry around the world.
At home, we help people
build skills, independence,
and community.
Around the world, we help
provide mobility, dignity, and
opportunity.
Same vision. Two ways to live it.
He smiled so wide, his whole
face changed.
James is 9 years old and lives in rural Kenya. He was born with a spinal condition that left him unable to walk. For years, his mother carried him everywhere. Last March, a Hope Haven International team fitted James with a KidChair specially designed for rough terrain. It cost $300 to build. It changed everything.
Upcoming events
JUNE
5
Fishing Benefit
Spirit Lake, IA
JUNE
17
Golf Benefit
Spirit Lake, IA
AUG
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Dueling Duo: Keys to the Garden
Spirit Lake, IA