Source: Doro Blog
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A new report from Doro, the market leader in telephony for an aging population, has shown that contrary to popular belief, half of British seniors (50 per cent) are excited by new technologies and trust them to help in their everyday life. Despite this interest in technology, however, only 12 per cent of those surveyed have adopted tech-enabled personal aids such as safety alarms, apps and sensors. This is highlighted in the report “From walking frame to robots – a report about seniors and technology”, which is based on a European-wide research conducted by Novus and commissioned by Doro, which saw more than 1000 senior citizens interviewed in the UK.

 

Being able to live at home for as long as possible is an important goal for almost every senior, with Doro’s research highlighting it as a priority for 98 per cent of respondents. At the same time 15 per cent of the seniors say they feel insecure in their home. Seniors also worry about not being able to take care of themselves (38 per cent), burglary (26 per cent), forgetting things (28 per cent) and falling (24 per cent). New technology such as smart home solutions, if used, can increase seniors confidence in their own ability to live at home and make them feel safer and more secure. And seniors trust for this kind of solutions are high. 33 per cent of the seniors say they would trust smart home solutions and another 30 per cent say they would partly trust them.

 

As it stands, despite many seniors showing an interest in technology, overall usage of new technological aids in the UK is low today, with only one in ten seniors investing in safety alarms, cameras, sensors or health apps. Seniors using these kinds of products however, state to a large extent that the solution contributes to an increased safety. 46 per cent say their technical tools gives increased safety in their home.

 

“We have a strong belief that technology, if well designed, can improve seniors’ safety when at home and give them a better and more independent life. Our research reinforces this message, showing that there is a market and appetite for new technology among seniors. It´s now up to us, within the tech industry to focus on building solutions that are easy to use for those of all ages. We must also educate seniors so they can benefit more from the untapped potential of new technologies,” says Robert Puskaric, CEO of Doro.

 

The report also investigated European seniors’ attitude towards the digitalisation of healthcare in general. Even though there are some concerns that the human contact might decrease, that it could require more personal responsibility and that new technology might feel complicated, a big share of seniors are positive to the digitalisation. 42 percent of the European seniors think it´s good that the healthcare industry embraces technology. Among Britishseniors the same figure is 27 per cent.

 

To coincide with this research, Doro is launching a new safety alarm service for selected Doro mobile phones – Response by Doro. The service will be available via the My Doro app and can instantly connect a concerned senior with a Doro response centre at the push of a button, and at any time of day or night. The research indicates seniors will welcome this service, which has been designed for practicality and ease of use, and with the goal of making seniors feel safe when living on their own. The service also provides seniors with peace of mind without requiring additional equipment or complicated subscriptions.

 

Please find the full report “From walking frame to robots – a report about seniors and technology” attached.

Source: Doro Blog
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To expand their telecare business and strengthen their platform and service revenue, Doro has acquired the UK based telecare company Welbeing, based in Eastbourne, UK. Doro will initially pay approximately 130 MSEK.

“We are adding Welbeing to the Doro Group as the next step in expanding our telecare business. This strategic move is in line with our long term ambition to increase our services business. Doro moves closer to becoming a full technology enabled services provider for seniors. With our strong position in the mobile phone market, the combination creates a foundation for further growth in the UK telecare sector as well as new service-based offerings for our customers, for example Response and SmartCare by Doro,” says Robert Puskaric CEO of Doro Group.

 

The UK is the largest telecare market in Europe with an estimated 1.7 million connections. Market penetration amongst seniors is 13%, compared to the average in Europe of 5%. The market is fragmented and mainly analogue although undergoing a digital transformation, on the back of BT’s stated intention to switch off the analogue network by 2025.  Doro will add value being the market leader within digital telecare and from its experience driving the digital transformation of the Swedish market. “For Doro it is a natural step to acquire a well-positioned telecare services company in one of the largest markets in Europe, fully in line with our strategy and continuing our transformation to a complete technology enabled care services provider”, continues Robert Puskaric, CEO of Doro Group.

 

Welbeing is one of the leading telecare companies in the UK. The company services around 75 000 connections from various locations of which 21 000 are private customers. Organic growth has been significant, thanks to strong management and a track record of winning tenders and commercial bids. The number of employees is approximately 180. Revenue for the financial year ended September, 2017 was GBP 7.6m (approximately SEK 90m) of which the main part is from services. The acquisition will be consolidated into Doro Group from 1 June 2018, and is expected to have a negligible effect on earnings per share for 2018 including transaction costs.

“Our two businesses are a perfect match, Doro creates safety and security for all stages of a senior’s life, with complete technology enabled care solutions that allows seniors to live life independently. Welbeing’s long-term local experience in supporting and reassuring customers and their families, is a value-adding complement, empowering people to stay safe and independent in their homes. Doro develops solutions for use on digital networks. This experience will be invaluable considering BT’s intention to switch off its PSTN and ISDN networks by 2025”, concludes Steve Smith, CEO of Welbeing.

 

Doro will initially pay approximately 130 MSEK for the acquisition of Welbeing, equal to eight times estimated EBITDA for the financial year 2017/2018. 85% of the acquisition price will be paid in cash and 15% in newly issued shares in Doro AB. In addition, the sellers are entitled to receive an additional consideration if Welbeing’s EBITDA for the financial year 2017/2018, which ends on 30 September 2018, exceeds the estimated EBITDA. The final acquisition amount will be calculated and published after the end of Q3-2018.

 

The shares will be issued pursuant to the authorisation granted to the board of directors by the annual general meeting on 27 April 2018. A total of 449 313 shares will be issued, entailing a dilution of approximately 1.89 per cent of the total number of shares and votes in the company prior to the share issue. The price per share has been set at SEK 43.60, equal to the volume weighted average price of Doro’s shares on Nasdaq Stockholm during the period 17 April 2018–30 May 2018.

 

Doro was advised by JZ Capital Partners in Stockholm.

 

For more information, please contact:

Robert Puskaric, President and CEO Doro Group, +46 (0)46 280 50 05

Steve Smith, CEO Welbeing, +44 (0) 1323 636218

Source: Doro Blog
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• SmartCare by Doro can detect if a person falls at home and send alerts to family
• Solution offers peace of mind to the 24 per cent of Europeans who have duty of care towards a senior

Doro, the phone and technology provider, today announces SmartCare by Doro, a cloud-based technology care solution tailored for the needs of seniors. SmartCare by Doro connects sensors in the home to the cloud, in order to automatically alarm and notify relatives or care providers if changes in behaviour occur or if the senior needs assistance.

The solution aims to address societal challenges created by the growing senior population, such as the cost involved in social care as more seniors living at home require support from either care providers or relatives. According to a survey conducted by Doro, 25 per cent of UK adults have some duty of care towards a senior person and 62 per cent of these say they are often worried that something might have happened to them (such as suffering a fall or hurting themselves).¹

For most seniors, their mobile phone is the only tool for reaching out for help if an accident occurs, but seniors don´t always have their phone at hand. This creates a strong demand for new and trustworthy solutions to help, support and stay in contact with seniors at home.

Technology to increase quality of life for seniors and their family and friends

SmartCare by Doro comes with a home gateway and smart sensors which are connected to the unified cloud service, My Doro. From there, it can connect the sensors with smartphones and units that belong to care providers, relatives and seniors. The system is self-calibrating to individual behaviour and can detect and automatically share alarms with relatives or care providers in real time. SmartCare by Doro is based upon an open architecture system to cater for connectivity with third party sensors and devices.

In practice, this means that if a person falls on the stairs at home or senior community, the sensor automatically detects the fall. It then notifies relatives, the Doro Alarm Receiving Center or other third-parties, who in turn can contact the senior or call for action from care providers or emergency services. Visit sites like www.carltonseniorliving.com/community/concord/ to know more about senior communities. Thanks to the My Doro cloud service, relatives and care providers receive notifications, warnings and alarms on activities in the home such as “the refrigerator has not been opened in the last 24 hours” or “the front door hasn’t been closed correctly”.

Robert Puskaric, CEO and President of Doro, says: “The launch of SmartCare by Doro is a milestone and an important strategic move for our business. We know that seniors want to stay at home and be independent for as long as possible and SmartCare by Doro is developed with this in mind. By offering complete systems and devices that make life easier for both seniors and their supporting family and friends we aim to extend the time seniors will be able to live at home and also contribute to a sustainable development of social welfare.”

Peter Marsden, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Doro, says: “The ageing global population is putting pressure on care services, but technology solutions can ease the burden. SmartCare by Doro will enable seniors to safely live at home for longer, with peace of mind for their family, friends and carers. The open architecture nature of SmartCare by Doro will take connected devices beyond entertainment and lifestyle systems in the home, to being potentially life-saving pieces of technology.” 

Through previous launches, the Doro Connect and Care® offering and the remote control of Doro smart phones via mydoromanager.com have given Doro great insights and experience in providing products that support and help seniors in their everyday life, whilst giving relatives peace of mind. With SmartCare by Doro, the company now takes the next step to become a complete technology provider for seniors and their relatives.

SmartCare by Doro will be demonstrated at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. 

Source: Doro Blog
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• The Doro 8035 is an intuitive smartphone with an elegant design and dual interface
• The Doro 7060 is a 4G easy-to-use clamshell feature phone with VoLTE support, meeting the anticipated migration from 3G to 4G networks

Doro, the global leader in telecom products for seniors, today announces two new phones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The new Doro 8035 is an easy-to-use smartphone with a step-by-step start up guide to help users tailor the phone based on their needs, without compromising on the advantages of a smartphone. The Doro 8035 has loud and clear sound and remote access capabilities, enabling friends and family to assist the user if difficulties occur. Doro also launches a smart feature phone, the Doro 7060, a flip phone with support for Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and smart apps.

 

Doro 8035: the smartphone with a dual interface

 

The Doro 8035 offers two different navigation modes and interfaces. When switching on the phone for the first time, a step-by-step start up guide helps the user to find the right navigation system and interface based on their needs. With Easy Mode, users with little or no experience of smartphones use an interface that is easier to learn and understand, yet still comprehensive enough to provide all the key advantages of a smartphone. The Enhanced Mode is more like a classic Android launcher, but enriched with Doro DNA, such as large and contrasted icons and text, and an “I want to” button.

 

As well as the key Doro DNA features appreciated by seniors around the world: loud and clear sound, easy to hold, robust and with physical buttons, the smartphone boasts a new in-call ‘boost’ feature. This lets users of the Doro 8035 press the ‘I want to’ button to increase call volume by 6/7dB. The 8035 is the first phone in the Doro portfolio to possess such a feature, further aiding seniors who are hard of hearing.

 

The Doro 8035 also comes with the TeamViewer feature, which offers full remote control and access in order for friends and family members to support the senior on-screen, no matter where they are. Remote control is also available via mydoromanager.com, where the user, or family and friends, can get access to the smartphone via a desktop and adjust the settings or backup photos for example. The Doro 8035 will be fully integrated with the SmartCare by Doro solution and provide enhanced safety features when outside the home. The device will be available in metallic blue, making it a stylish addition to the Doro portfolio.

 

Robert Puskaric, CEO and President of Doro, says: “We know that many seniors want to take the step to use a smartphone to get access to the same communication tools and apps that their younger relatives and friends use, to not miss out on anything. By launching the new Doro 8035 we want to connect generations.”

 

Doro 7060: a smart feature phone

 

The Doro 7060 feature phone is a next generation, 4G, easy-to-use clamshell phone with VoLTE support, meeting the anticipated migration from 3G to 4G networks. The new phone has a large 2.8 inch main colour display and a 1.44 inch colour external display with caller ID. The Doro 7060 is a smart feature phone, meaning it has support for online tools and apps, and like the 8035, it will also incorporate the new in-call ‘boost’ feature. The device features large and well-separated high-contrast keys, with a shortcut key for the camera, as well as the Doro assistance button. . The black and white Doro 7060 can connect via both wifi or mobile data, and will be available from June in the UK.

 

Doro research has found that the use of smartphones among seniors (65+) is growing, but nearly half (46 per cent) feel insecure when it comes to technology. Seniors have specific needs due to various age-related impairments: 82 per cent have vision related problems, 29 per cent have hearing loss and 42 per cent experience problems with gripping or handling. Mass market smartphones often lack support for these specific age-related needs, which slows down smartphone adoption among seniors and makes it difficult to take advantage of the communication tools and apps used by their younger family members and friends.

 

Peter Marsden, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Doro, says: “Our feature phones are hugely popular with seniors across the world, but we recognise that this age bracket also wants access to online apps. The 7060 provides features loved by seniors, whilst meeting this demand for smart technology. We’re constantly innovating to ensure Doro devices meet the specific needs of our audience.”  

Source: Doro Blog
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