Article Contents
Introduction
As society continues to shift toward reduced human touchpoints and physical distancing amid the coronavirus, telemedicine has seen a major surge in popularity and usage. Telehealth services address the ongoing need for medical treatment – physicians and other healthcare providers can furnish services to their patients at remote locations, including in their own homes. So, what are the Major Benefits of Telehealth for seniors?
In an effort to protect older adults from becoming infected with COVID-19, it’s critical that they avoid unnecessary interactions. The elderly are at a higher risk of becoming critically ill if they contract the virus compared to younger people. That is why the expansion of Telehealth services, including the ones under Medicare coverage has proven to be very effective.
There are so many ways older adults and family caregivers can leverage the benefits of Telehealth. Digital healthcare services are the future of patient care. They are cheaper, do not require in-person appointments, reduce waiting times, and improve patient satisfaction.
The Major benefits of telehealth for seniors fall into three broad categories:
1. Removing Mobility-related Barriers to Care
Many people begin to experience difficulty getting around as they age. Older adults with mobility limitations can leverage telehealth services to connect with healthcare professionals without having to leave the comfort and security of their homes. By connecting real-time with providers about primary health concerns, including joint pain and muscle stiffness among others medications as well as accident management can improve overall outcomes for this population.
The at-home nature of Telehealth is a revolutionary way of delivering health care to older adults in rural communities. If it wasn’t for these Telehealth services, they might otherwise need to spend a full day traveling between appointments.
2. Avoiding Unnecessary Hospital Visits
Visits to the emergency room can be incredibly costly and are, in many cases, completely avoidable. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 13% to 27% of total visits to the emergency room could be managed in an outpatient setting – saving $4.4 billion each year.
Expanded Telehealth services give older adults the opportunity to speak with a healthcare professional as soon they suspect something may be wrong. This allows seniors access health care from their home – meaning that if you are feeling poorly at all then there is no need for hospital visits and doctor’s office hours. With real-time discussions about health issues, older adults can avoid unnecessary wait times by getting a consultation right away. Besides, they won’t have to schedule another appointment or make an extra trip!
Telehealth is an excellent way to improve the quality of life for patients after they’ve had a medical procedure in the hospital. They no longer need to go back to the doctors’ offices or hospital follow-ups – they can speak to them directly on their phone instead!
3. Improved Chronic Disease Management
Staying on top of chronic disease management is key to an effective life. Managing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension require proper medication schedules, an active lifestyle, and dietary habits. Telehealth has made it easy to communicate with healthcare professionals to stay up to date with the latest treatment guidance. It has bridged the gap between patients and care providers through increased touchpoints.
Having access to more timely insights on how a patient’s disease has been progressing over time can help healthcare providers avoid emergencies in the long run. Improved and expanded telehealth services promote safety and convenience for older adults in managing their care. Patients and providers are getting better at leveraging technologies for care management, and we expect that trend to continue moving in a positive direction. Check out some other effective technologies for seniors.
If you are looking for more information about caring for older adults, check out the other resources on BoomersHub. Our platform is dedicated to serving the older patient population.
Conclusion
Telehealth is an invaluable tool for seniors who are looking to remain in their homes, avoid unnecessary hospital visits, and experience high-quality chronic disease management. Telehealth services can remove mobility-related barriers so that your elderly loved ones don’t have any trouble living on their own anymore!
FAQs
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is a term used to describe the use of telecommunications technologies to deliver healthcare services and information. Telehealth can include video conferencing, mobile health, and telemedicine. It allows providers to interact with patients remotely, which can improve access to care and reduce costs.
Are the benefits of telehealth care worth the cost?
While the cost of telehealth care could be higher than the cost of traditional health care, the benefits often outweigh the costs. For example, telehealth can improve access to health care for people who live in rural areas, and it can also improve health outcomes and reduce costs for hospital visits. Therefore, the benefits of telehealth care are generally worth the cost.
What benefits are provided by the Medicare telehealth parity act?
Medicare telehealth parity act aims to provide coverage for remote patient-monitoring services and allow those who need it the most, such as individuals with end-stage renal disease or other chronic health conditions. It also includes an exception process where you can ask for waiver from your monthly face-to-face visit between the patient and health professional.
Who is benefiting from the use of telehealth?
The patients who are able to receive care from specialists without having to leave their home are the primary beneficiaries of telehealth. By being able to see a specialist without traveling, patients can save time and money. In addition, patients who live in rural areas or who have mobility issues can still receive care from specialists.
Does Medicare offer telehealth?
Yes, Medicare does offer some telehealth coverage. Medicare Part B covers office visits, consultations, and psychotherapy by qualified healthcare professionals.
