Telehealth and Seniors: The Rise of Telehealth Services and What This Means for You

If you’ve ever felt like your doctor is too hard to reach — or that you spend too much time waiting for appointments — telehealth visits may be a great option for you. Learn more about telehealth and senior services that may be offered in senior living communities and determine whether your healthcare could benefit from a virtual boost.

Commonly Used Terms in Telehealth

First, it’s important to understand the terms people use when talking about telehealth. “Telehealth” and “telemedicine” are often used interchangeably, but their meanings differ slightly. Brush up on the following lingo before you search for a provider so that you’re sure you get exactly what you need out of an appointment:

• Telehealth: This refers to anything and everything related to the virtual use and practice of medical care. It can encompass virtual platforms, training services for providers, and remote clinical visits for patients. It’s a broader term than telemedicine.
• Telemedicine: This refers to a virtual clinical relationship between a provider and a patient. It’s more specific than the broader “telehealth”, and it’s probably what most people mean when they wish to schedule a remote appointment with a provider.
• Telehealth platforms: A telehealth platform is what your provider will use to contact you. These include services such as Doximity, Teladoc, GoodRX, and many more.
• Virtual appointment: This term refers to a telemedicine appointment. You may be able to call your provider on a video chat platform, chat over text, or send emails to follow up with your care.

The Rise of Telehealth Since the COVID-19 Pandemic

If you’re tired of hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re far from alone. However, there were a few bright spots to come out of that darker period in our recent history. The rise of telehealth services — for seniors and everybody else — began as a stopgap to help patients get medical care during the pandemic, but they have turned into a medical advancement that can assist you for the rest of your life. Consider how telehealth has changed the healthcare landscape since the early days of the pandemic:

• Awareness: Before the pandemic, you may have never considered videoconferencing with your doctor. Now, this practice, as well as the terminology listed here, is commonplace. It’s becoming normal to pre-register for your appointment through an app on your phone, speak with your doctor on a secure, virtual platform, and fill a medication to have shipped to your home immediately afterward.
• Access: Telehealth platforms and services have increased healthcare services for rural populations and those typically underserved by the medical community. Those who can’t leave home easily, and those with long commutes or busy schedules, can now schedule a virtual visit with a medical provider to pursue treatment at their convenience.
• An overall increase in telehealth since COVID-19: In 2016, about 14% of patients used telehealth services in place of their office visits. By 2022, this number jumped to 80%. Overall, telemedicine appointments have become mainstream, and it looks as though they’re here to stay.

Benefits of Telehealth for Older Adults

Telehealth platforms and services offer many benefits for older adults. Consider these perks for those who reside in senior living communities:

Easier appointments

This should go without saying, but with a telemedicine appointment, you’re able to see your provider without commuting to a hospital or private practice location. This ease of scheduling and attending appointments can make your life easier. If you have a chronic health condition that involves follow-up appointments, you likely understand the inconvenience of spending so much time at a medical facility. Having the freedom to attend appointments from your location may make you feel more willing to comply with a complicated treatment plan.

No waiting in a clinic

Nobody of any age group enjoys waiting in the lobby or exam room before an appointment. With telemedicine, you don’t have to. You can simply log onto whichever platform your doctor uses at the time of your visit. As a bonus, you won’t be unnecessarily exposed to other people’s germs in the waiting process.

Tracking important health data

Telehealth platforms offer convenient ways to check your health data on the go. You’re often able to check the results of routine bloodwork, schedule appointments, and save your medical records in one convenient spot. Even if you don’t have any chronic health issues, knowing that your data is accessible at any time can give you peace of mind — and it can help you transition to a new provider should the need arise.

Tips for Seniors Using Telehealth Technology

Many people hesitate to use telehealth services for a variety of reasons. How will the doctor examine you if you aren’t in the same room? Are the connections secure? What if you’re not tech-savvy? Learn how to navigate these issues before choosing a telehealth provider:

1. Make sure you have a high-quality device

A reliable smartphone may be all you need to connect to a telehealth provider or check your records on a platform. If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, you can log onto a computer to attend an appointment or check your records on a platform.

2. Learn what’s necessary

You may need a password, a username, or an email address to help you log into a telehealth platform. Make sure you choose secure passwords and ensure that you can access your email account before you attend the appointment. Otherwise, your doctor’s visit will happen just like an in-person visit: Your provider will ask you about your general health, if you’re having any specific problems on the day of the appointment, and whether you have any other concerns or questions regarding your care.

3. Ask for assistance

Senior living communities typically have staff available to assist with telehealth appointments and devices you can use if you need them. They’re often more than happy to help you navigate this new type of medical care. Remember that telehealth platforms are still brand-new to most people, and it’s completely fine to ask for help!

How to Find a Great Telehealth Provider

Before you make a switch to a new provider, know that your current doctor, mental health counselor, or even physical therapist may offer telemedicine appointments. If you’ve been seeing someone you like, it’s worth asking whether they would continue to see you virtually. Even converting some, but not all, of your appointments, could make all the difference in your schedule.

If you don’t currently have a provider you like, consider asking friends, family, or fellow residents in your senior living community. The best connections often come from word-of-mouth recommendations, as you’re speaking to someone who has personal experience with the provider in question. Alternatively, you can try reading online reviews. If you’re looking for a specialist, you might ask your general practitioner if they know of anyone who offers telehealth services.

How a Senior Living Community Can Help You Connect to Great Providers

Senior Resource Group offers luxury senior living communities in a wide variety of locations throughout the country. We’re always available to help with the transition to telemedicine appointments if necessary. Get in touch with any questions involving telehealth and seniors, and check out what our communities offer to find the perfect new home that helps you prioritize your physical and mental wellness.