Ceresti Health Secures Growth Capital from Stella

Investment highlights importance of family caregivers in chronic care management

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Oct 09, 2018, 10:00 ET

CARLSBAD, Calif., and EAGAN, Minn., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceresti Health, a health care company focused on empowering family caregivers for patients with dementia or cognitive impairment, announced a capital investment by Stella Development, a division of the same parent company (Stella) as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Ceresti will use the capital to expand its family caregiver empowerment solutions to payers and providers that deliver value-based care to vulnerable patient populations.

Ceresti's digital engagement platform is designed specifically to support family caregivers of aging patients with diminishing cognitive, memory and decision-making capabilities. Many caregivers find themselves going from "lending a hand" to providing ongoing support for a family member who is no longer able to take care of themselves in their own home. This type of caregiving can take many forms, but common tasks might include meal preparation, help getting dressed, household chores, transportation to and from doctor appointments and managing prescription medications.

Once a caregiver is enrolled in Ceresti's program, they receive a tablet device that facilitates access to content that is personalized to address their unique caregiving challenges and the needs of their loved ones, which often includes management of multiple chronic conditions. The program includes videos, tutorials, access to support, and is supported by remote Ceresti coaches.

Studies show that empowered family caregivers achieve better patient outcomes, including adherence to care plans, reduced utilization of health care services, and improved quality of care measures, all while enabling aging to continue in the home.

"The Stella investment and partnership will increase adoption of our family caregiver empowerment solutions," said Dirk Soenksen, co-founder and CEO of Ceresti. "We look forward to working with Stella to empower more family caregivers to address the specific challenges and needs of patients living with dementia or cognitive impairment, which often includes management of multiple chronic conditions."

"Our investment in Ceresti underscores Stella's belief in the importance of supporting family caregivers of patients with complex health needs, which includes the majority of patients living with dementia," said Mike Zeman, vice president and chief growth officer at Stella. "Ceresti and Stella have aligned goals for advancing care options available to seniors, which makes this investment such a strong fit for both companies."

About Ceresti

Ceresti is a health care company that offers family caregiver empowerment solutions that improve outcomes for patients with dementia or cognitive impairment by empowering their family caregivers. Our customers are payers and providers that deliver value-based care to healthcare's most challenging and vulnerable patient poplulations. Our solutions are delivered as a technology-enabled service that is customized to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing care management programs. Learn more at ceresti.com.

About Stella

Stella is a Minnesota-based company designed to nurture and scale differentiated businesses across the country to improve health in bold and innovative ways. Stella serves as the parent company for a number of entities that share a focus on making a healthy difference in people's lives, including the non-profit health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and its subsidiaries, and diversified affiliate companies including Further and ClearStone Solutions, Inc. Go to stellahealth.com to learn more.

SOURCE Stella