Technology that keeps home within reach

For many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a parent is more than family. That parent is often the caregiver who keeps each day on track. When they're gone, a hard question follows: where will their loved one live now?

Ronnie faced that question after his mother passed away. He's 67 and lives in a small town in rural North Carolina. Ask him what matters most, and he'll answer fast: his family, his home and his food. He had lived with his mother his entire life. After she passed, Ronnie was clear about what he wanted. He wanted to stay home.

That wasn't a simple wish. Ronnie lives with kidney disease and edema. That means his health needs close attention every day. He also needed support with routines, medications and staying safe at night. Not long ago, needs like his could have meant leaving home.

His family and care team were committed to keeping him there. Together, they set up supported living, and his care manager referred him to TULA, the Trillium Ultimate Living Assistant.

TULA is a touchscreen system built around Ronnie's day. Simple reminders help him take his medications morning and night. They also help Ronnie complete daily tasks like brushing his teeth, checking the mail, and laying out tomorrow's clothes. Motion sensors add safety. If Ronnie gets up at night, lights turn on in his room and hallway to reduce the risk of a fall. A light also comes on in his caregiver's room, so she knows he may need help.

Each morning, Ronnie steps on a digital scale connected to his TULA device. His readings go to his doctor. If his weight crosses a set limit, his family gets an alert so his doctor can adjust his medication. A remote support team also watches his data and checks in when something looks off.

But TULA is about more than health. It keeps Ronnie close to the people he loves. With one touch, he can message or video call family and friends. When his data showed that reminders to reach out to his family helped help him, his support team started scheduling calls to keep him connected. He also has access to a full library of physical activity video to guide exercise. And when he wants to relax, he puts on his favorite song, "Carolina Girls," often on repeat.

Ronnie uses his TULA device 26 times a day on average. Reminders to keep on task with his routine are his most used feature. Today, he's living on his own terms and managing his health, in the home he loves. TULA continues to evolve to meet the needs and lifestyles of many like Ronnie so that independence, safety, and choice are within reach.