Telehealth or telemedicine is the delivery of medical services and knowledge via electronic communication and information technology. It provides convenience for many as it allows your doctor to assist you without having to attend their clinic in person. The many benefits of telemedicine are now easily accessible to seniors because of modern day technology. Read on to learn more about the benefits of telehealth for your elderly loved ones.
Chronic Health Management Made Simpler
Chronic health management includes medicine refills and regular check-ups. For your elderly loved ones who may have trouble moving around, travelling to the clinic might be inconvenient.
By making use of telehealth, those in their golden years could choose to stay in the comfort of their own homes while a doctor follows through with them with regards to their chronic health management. Your loved ones will also feel more relaxed in their own home as they steer clear of clinic visits that may often be intimidating.
Minimal Need for Transportation
Your loved one might not own a car. A visit to the clinic would require one to take public transportation. This could be unsafe especially for those with mobility issues. Furthermore, there is also additional travel expenses which can be hefty in the long run.
These are inconveniences that could easily be avoided with telehealth.
Minimal Contact with Microorganisms
Germs can spread very easily through direct or non-direct contact. Being in a healthcare setting increases one’s exposure to germs. This could be dangerous, especially for your older loved ones who may be more vulnerable to diseases due to their weaker immune systems.
With telehealth, exposure to microorganisms remain limited as they do not need to visit the actual clinic.
Live Medical Surveillance
A common telehealth option is the ability to monitor specific conditions of a patient’s health from the comfort of their own home. Managing acute and chronic illnesses with convenience and efficiency is made possible via remote patient monitoring.
As it is common for those in their golden years to feel alone or anxious after returning from healthcare centers, telehealth can help to put your loved ones at ease. This is because doctors or nurses can gain access to your loved ones without having to physically visit them.
Decrease in Critical Incidents
With the aid of telemedicine, many older adults are able to attend to their appointments regularly without any hindrance such as needing to wait in line at the clinics.
Doctors are thus able to regularly monitor your loved one’s health and check if there are any new conditions which may be life-threatening. This helps to reduce the likelihood of critical incidents that may occur due to delayed or infrequent health checks.
Flexibility in Location
Have a sudden need to travel halfway across the country? Do not worry. Telehealth allows your loved ones to make an appointment or postpone appointments from any location in the world if they are travelling. So, older adults do not have to miss a medical appointment due to their travel plans.
