As we age, most of us are going to find ourselves making more doctor’s appointments. This can be a drag in the best of situations, but if you can no longer drive – or even if you no longer like to drive – it goes from a pain in the neck to a major logistical issue. That’s why telemedicine for seniors is becoming more and more popular.
Telemedicine isn’t just about the phone. According to the American Telemedicine Association (yes, it exists), telemedicine is about all remote healthcare: phone, internet, video conferencing, email, texting and anything else that works. While there’s no way to completely bypass the need for face-to-face medical appointments, telemedicine for seniors has a lot of benefits that are worth taking a look at.
1. Avoid Those Germs
We visit our doctors and make hospital visits in order to maintain our health. The catch is, doctors’ offices and hospitals are the best places to get sick. That’s because so many people in the waiting areas are carrying germs. As we age, we become more susceptible to those germs that are just waiting for someone to latch on to. Telemedicine cuts down on the frequency of doctor’s appointments, which cuts down on the time you spend exposed to whatever everyone else in the waiting room is carrying. That’s a win-win situation.
2. Remote Monitoring
The facts of life are such that the older we get, the higher the chances of contracting chronic illnesses. These types of illnesses – like diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure – all require monitoring. Before telemedicine, you had to go and visit your doctor or spend time in the hospital in order to get yourself monitored.
Not anymore.
With the advent of telemedicine for seniors, more and more older men and women are using technology to monitor themselves and then send the daily results to their healthcare provider. Any change that raises a red flag results in a phone call. This cuts down on costs and medical emergencies. Which brings us to the next point.
3. Reduce Those Hospital Admissions
Telemedicine allows for a constant flow of communication between doctors and their patients. As a result, doctors have a much better handle on the state of their patients’ health. What does that translate to? Studies show that seniors who take advantage of telemedicine have a significant reduction in the number of hospital admissions as opposed to those who don’t.
This isn’t just a matter of convenience. The reason these seniors aren’t going to the hospital as often is that, thanks to telemedicine, medical issues are identified and treated before they can morph into full-blown crises. And that means a better overall level of health.
4. Lower Costs
Gas, bus tickets, taxis…whether you drive or you rely on public transportation, getting to and from appointments adds up. Throw in doctor’s fees, copays, and the cost of medical emergencies telemedicine for seniors saves, and you’ve made a significant dent in your medical expenses.
5. More Independence
Whether you live at home or in an assisted living community, telemedicine can reduce your dependence on those around you. First of all, you don’t have to rely on anyone to take you for routine doctor’s appointments. Beyond that, though, telemedicine is very personal. You are the one who takes your blood pressure or monitors your heart and reports back to your healthcare provider; you are the one taking charge of your health.
Not only do you gain independence. You also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re allowing your loved ones or caregivers to take a break, too.
Oh, and let’s not forget: According to the law, telemedicine services must abide by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act mandates. So you know that any confidential information you need to share is safe.
Have you had experience with telemedicine? Tell us about it in the comments below!