Telemedicine—also known as telehealth—is on the rise among older adults. Seeing a doctor virtually has numerous benefits and conveniences. Using telemedicine can be a technological challenge for seniors, though. Here’s how to prepare an elderly loved one for a telemedicine visit.

Telemedicine is not a brand-new form of healthcare. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, telemedicine was used primarily in rural areas, giving patients access to distant healthcare providers. During the pandemic, however, when traveling in public places was risky, telemedicine usage spiked.

How does telemedicine benefit seniors?

Seniors benefit significantly by using telemedicine to manage their healthcare. Homebound individuals, for instance, are not burdened with having to drive to see a doctor. Likewise, seniors with mobility issues do not need to deal with the hassles of finding parking at the healthcare facility.

Further benefits of using telemedicine include a reduction in the burden of costs for certain travel expenses. Unnecessary hospital visits are reduced when seniors rely on telemedicine. Caregivers feel less stress when they can consult a physician about a senior’s healthcare virtually.

What conditions can be managed via telemedicine?

Not all healthcare issues can be addressed via telemedicine. Some ailments require an in-person visit to a medical facility. A medical emergency that is too difficult to correctly diagnose from afar, for example, will require the senior to travel to a healthcare clinic.

Certain conditions can be managed by telemedicine. Chronic diseases can be managed virtually; caregivers update healthcare providers on the progress of the senior’s disease. Dietary information and the senior’s mental and physical changes can be reported to the doctor using telemedicine.

Telehealth is useful for frail seniors who have difficulty moving or leaving the home. The elderly with mobility issues may consult a physician about primary healthcare concerns, such as joint pain, muscle stiffness, or medications as well as accident management and prevention.

Tips for Seniors to Use Telemedicine

1. Provide access to a device

The advantages of using telemedicine are clear. Helping seniors use technology correctly is the next challenge. Older adults will need a tablet, smartphone, or PC for a remote visit with a doctor. Since the consultation will use video, the senior should have broadband or cellular connection to the internet.

2. Make an appointment

Make a virtual appointment in the doctor’s online patient portal or app. The physician’s office staff will email or text the senior a link 10 minutes prior to the appointment time. Alternately, the office may require the senior to download an app to be given access to the consultation.

3. Practice online safety

Online safety is still a concern with virtual doctors’ visits. Help the senior choose a strong, unique password, one that is not used on any other website. If possible, the senior is advised to consult with the doctor from a private place within the home.

4. Expect to wait

A senior may wait in a virtual waiting room for several minutes before the doctor appears on the screen or speaks over the phone. The physician will ask questions that are typically asked in a medical examination. Prior to the appointment, the senior may be asked to describe symptoms.

5. Prepare for a medical exam

During the telemedicine visit, the senior can expect a virtual exam. The physician may have the senior stick out his tongue or walk around. When skin conditions are an issue, the doctor may request the patient to upload photos of the problematic areas.

Mental health issues can also be addressed virtually. A senior suffering from anxiety or depression, for instance, can consult with a mental health expert. Through video, a mental health professional will observe the senior’s body language and other visual cues to assess his condition.

6. Pick up medications

Based on the virtual visit, a physician may determine that medication is needed to treat the elderly patient’s condition. In such cases, the doctor will call in a prescription or refill to the senior’s pharmacy. The senior or caregiver can pick up the medication from the pharmacy in-person.

7. Provide assistive technology

Impairments in hearing, vision, or mobility should not prevent elderly patients from receiving quality healthcare via telemedicine. Caregivers are advised to provide senior care recipients with assistive technology, such as screen readers, voice-to-text programs, or programs that feature closed-captioning options.

Telemedicine, while providing extensive benefits, does not cover all healthcare needs. A senior may need to visit a healthcare facility in-person for a blood draw, an X-ray, a strep test, or a biopsy. A visit to the doctor’s office is done when virtual visits do not provide sufficient health information.

While video conferencing calls with a doctor provide important details about a senior’s health, not all older adults have access to the required technology. A phone appointment with the doctor can work instead, whereby the senior is given lab or test results and follow-up appointments.

Using telemedicine comes with no additional costs. Plus, seniors have a chance of being seen sooner when they opt for virtual care. With fewer trips outside the home, older adults reduce their exposure to illnesses. When your loved one opts for telemedicine, Assisting Hand Home Care can help.

Professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your loved one receive healthcare, whether it is through telemedicine or an in-person visit to the clinic. Our caregivers assist the senior in using technology or provide safe transportation to the doctor’s office.

Senior care services from our reputable home care agency extend well beyond helping seniors meet basic healthcare needs. Our non-medical care includes support with all the activities of daily living, including personal hygiene tasks, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and medication reminders.

Assisting Hands Home Care services are trusted by countless families. Our compassionate, hands-on approach to senior care ensures our care recipients live with dignity and independence. We support the daily home care needs of seniors living in Coppell, Frisco, Dallas, Highland Park, Plano, Richardson, University Park TX, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (214) 760-6944 today to schedule an in-home consult.

Source: AARP