CMI and Mr. Handyman Partner to Help the Elderly & Disabled Stay in their Homes

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Powerful SimplyHome Assistive Technology Can Be Installed By Mr. Handyman Across America

January 16, 2008 // Franchising.com // -- ASHEVILLE, NC and ANN ARBOR, MI: CMI, a provider of services to the elderly and disabled for over two decades, has long made use of an Assistive Technology product platform they call SimplyHome™ to serve residents in varied living arrangements from apartments and single-home settings to group-home and assisted living facilities. Now CMI is offering these same powerful, yet easy-to-implement tools to America's private and professional caregivers. The SimplyHome offering can be installed by Mr. Handyman, North America's premier company for handling household needs.

"We all know elderly and disabled folks who yearn to stay in their home, sweet homes," said Allen Ray, CEO of CMI. "And there are plenty of caregivers in America-- family, friends and professionals-- who stand ready to help. But the issue is one of efficiency; how can this army of willing caregivers be linked in real-time to these residents who want to live safely, and with dignity? The answer is Assistive Technology that levers the power of the web, email and cell phone text messaging, which is what we offer with our SimplyHome product line. And now we have Mr. Handyman ready to install it in homes across America, such that these essential and profound resident-caregiver connections can be made."

SimplyHome's "Bronze" offering connects residents to a 24/7 central station. The SimplyHome "Silver" and "Gold" offerings allow residents to be connected via two-way voice to a central station, or directly to a caregiver. SimplyHome is based on technology from Alarm.com, a leading provider of wireless, Web-enabled interactive safety and monitoring systems.

"We're happy to be working with CMI on SimplyHome," said John Eggenberger, VP of Corporate Development of Mr. Handyman. "We know that millions of Americans want to age in their beloved homes, and SimplyHome is a powerful product to facilitate this type of independence. Our army of professional technicians is insured, wear uniforms and drive a clearly marked Mr. Handyman van. They have the right attention to detail to ensure SimplyHome systems are installed right, and on time."

Mr. Handyman has ample ability and expertise to install other devices and equipment to help the elderly and disabled live safely, such as shower grab bars, wheelchair ramps, etc.

SimplyHome systems come as Bronze, Silver or Gold. At the Gold level, a camera is part of the solution, such that caregivers can do a "Live Look-In" via the secure web dashboard, and even review short, archived clips of when there was last activity in the residence. Further, a small people-tracking device that makes use of Hybrid- Assisted GPS technology can be added to any level-- Bronze, Silver or Gold.

About CMI

CMI delivers programs, supports, tools and services designed for caregivers of the elderly and disabled. The company was founded on a desire to provide a safe and healthy environment for individuals needing flexible, accessible and consumerdriven supports while creating opportunities for maximum independence through every service offered. CMI's mission is to maintain "community as a way of life" for all the consumers they serve. The company, based in Asheville, NC was created in 2004 from the combined efforts of several companies that have provided supports and services since 1988.

About Mr. Handyman
Mr. Handyman is a network of independently owned and operated franchises with over 270 locations in 37 states that provide commercial and residential property maintenance and repair services. Founded in March 2000, Mr. Handyman is a member of Service Brands International, a group of service companies that provide a variety of timesaving services ideally suited for today's active customer. SimplyHome™ is a trademark of CMI. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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