Benefits of Telehealth for Older Adults:

• Reduced travel and exposure: Fewer trips to the doctor’s office translates to less time on the road and reduced risk of illness exposure, crucial for maintaining health and well-being.
• Faster access to care: Skip the appointment backlog and receive timely care from the comfort of home, no matter physical limitations or transportation challenges.
• Cost-effective and convenient: No additional costs beyond potential internet access fees, making quality healthcare readily available without financial strain.

Addressing Accessibility Concerns:

• Digital literacy support: We recognize that technology can be daunting. Our resources and pre-appointment guidance walk patients through setup, basic operations, and troubleshooting, easing anxieties and ensuring successful virtual visits.
• Alternative options: Not everyone owns a video-enabled device or has reliable internet. We offer phone-based alternatives for consultations, medication management, and follow-up appointments, ensuring everyone accesses needed care.
• Family and caregiver involvement: Encourage patients to invite family or caregivers to participate in visits. Their support can bridge technical hurdles and facilitate communication, creating a comfortable and collaborative care environment.

Preparing for Success:

• Pre-appointment walkthrough: Dedicated staff guide patients through their home setup, ensuring their device is connected, charged, and ready for the virtual encounter.
• Technology basics review: We demystify simple yet crucial steps like checking into the visit, adjusting camera and lighting, and managing audio settings, empowering patients to take control of their telehealth experience.
• Remote monitoring options: When appropriate, utilizing blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, and continuous glucose monitors can gather vital information and potentially reduce the need for in-person visits, further enhancing convenience and comfort.

Navigating Reimbursement:

Medicare coverage for telehealth is continuously evolving. Our resources keep you informed and help you guide your patients through Medicare billing and reimbursement policies for telehealth services.

Building Inclusive Telehealth:

OpenTelemed stands with you in ensuring every older adult receives the care they need. We offer comprehensive resources for both providers and patients, fostering a welcoming and accessible telehealth environment where technology empowers, not hinders, the delivery of quality healthcare.

Together, let’s bridge the gap and revolutionize healthcare for older adults, one virtual visit at a time.

Additional Resources:

• Telehealth.HHS.gov: Information on accessing telehealth for older adults
• Rural Health Information Hub: Implementation Considerations for Telehealth Programs Serving Older Adults
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials: Tackling Inequities in Digital Care (video)
• Nevada Interprofessional Healthy Aging Network: Older Adults and Families

References:

• Older adults access telehealth
• Implementation Considerations for Telehealth Programs Serving Older Adults   — Rural Health Information Hub
• Tackling Inequities in Digital Care   (video) — Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
• Older Adults and Families   — Nevada Interprofessional Healthy Aging Network