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Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency, affecting an estimated 47 million people globally. It places immense demands on caregivers to manage complex behavioral and psychological symptoms. Dementia is also one of the costliest chronic conditions, with expenses often exceeding those of cancer or heart disease. Poor medication adherence—estimated between 17% and 42%—drives up hospitalization rates, adds to caregiver burden, and affects quality of life. All of which underscores the need for enhanced, standardized support in home-based care.
By 2050, dementia cases in the United States are projected to triple. Health plans and long-term care insurance providers have struggled to manage dementia and the high costs of recurrent hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and caregiver burnout. There is a clear need for a low-cost virtual caregiver that can stabilize underlying chronic conditions with medications that can slow disease progression. HiDO offers health plans and insurance providers a sustainable path to reducing expenses through real-time monitoring of medication consumption, asynchronous video messaging, and efficacy measuring of polypharmacy cocktails based on the principles of precision medicine.
Company Milestones
Scientific and Clinical
- 100% success in dementia patients measuring immediate and delayed recall, five to 30 minutes
- 80% reduction in hospitalizations among congestive heart failure patients
- Self-driven care documented among patients with mild, moderate, and severe dementia
Business
- HiDO has successfully partnered with a mail-order pharmacies, academic medical centers, Medicare Advantage payers, and long-term care insurance providers.
Financial Overview
HiDO has raised $1.5 million in seed funding and more than $3 million in non-dilutive funding. Series A funding will be assessed in 2026 based on strategic milestones and growth trajectory.
Intellectual Property
HiDO has an approved patent for systems and methods of dispensing medications and supplements. It also has a patent pending for systems and methods of pharmacy medication dispensing.
Product Development and Regulatory Strategy
The HiDO device and software is designated a 510(k) Class I exempt device. The device has been fully operational for more than five years, deployed in testing environments and pilot studies in the United States, and used in several major research projects for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The library of passive digital biomarkers and AI/machine learning (ML) algorithms has been in development for more than five years. Combined, this new and innovative platform provides patients, providers, and caregivers with tools in the home that have never been available until now.
Commercialization Strategy
HiDO’s commercialization strategy is centered on leveraging this unique device to target high-need markets, primarily in dementia care and heart failure management. HiDO is tapping into the long-term care insurance sector, addressing the high cost of dementia-related claims. This market has a strong need for interventions that reduce reliance on costly in-home or facility-based care. Through Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans, HiDO is focusing on heart failure patients, for whom reducing hospital readmissions and managing chronic symptoms are key priorities. This strategy aligns well with value-based care initiatives.
Company Details
HiDO Health
Folsom, California
Industry: Devices
Management Team:
- Charles Gellman, Chief Executive Officer
- Brandon Woolsey, Chief Technology Officer
Point of Contact:
Charles Gellman
charles@hidohealth.com
SBIR