Telemedicine, or medical information transmitted via electronic methods, has been a small part of the health care landscape for decades. More recent technological developments, such as smartphones, email, and webcams, have considerably increased telemedicine’s potential to have a positive effect on health care for patients of all ages—especially seniors. For elderly patients, telemedicine increasingly offers unprecedented levels of health care access and assistance. Discover how innovations in telemedicine continue to change elder care.
Improved Health Care Access
One of the greatest benefits of telemedicine is that it provides patients with access to health care no matter where they’re located, as long as they have an Internet connection. This can have a significant impact on elderly patients, many of whom suffer from decreased mobility or lose the ability to drive as they age.
Whether seniors live in the center of a major city or in a remote rural location, telemedicine can provide them with improved health care access. Whether they suffer from acute or chronic conditions, telemedicine offers previously unattainable access to health care services.
Advanced Health Care Options
As the American Association of Retired Persons reveals, almost 90 percent of seniors want to age in place, or remain in their homes for as long as possible before transitioning into a care facility. In fact, about 80 percent of seniors believe that they will continue to live in their current homes for the rest of their lives.
As people age, however, their ability to care for themselves often becomes compromised. Telemedicine can provide the elderly with advanced health care options and the ability to maintain independence while remaining in their homes for longer periods of time.
Increased Health Care Demand
As the Administration on Aging reports, the elderly population in the U.S. is projected to double over the next 50 years. In 2013, the population of people over age 65 numbered 44.7 million, but that number will increase to about 98 million by 2060.
As baby boomers age and many seniors enjoy progressively longer lives, they create an increased demand for health care services. With its smaller footprint and greater efficiency, telemedicine may offer a better and more scalable solution for caring for this group of patients than in-person health care services could.
Lower Health Care Costs
Many seniors live on fixed incomes, which can translate to limited funds for health care treatments. While this might prevent seniors from making regular doctor visits or pursuing expensive procedures, it simultaneously opens the door for telemedicine.
By nature, telemedicine is more efficient and has fewer overhead costs than in-person health care, which usually means lower costs for both patients and providers. As Senior List explains, telemedicine offers better assistance with chronic disease management. This can lead to even more savings for elderly patients in the long run, as patients can manage their care incrementally instead of resorting to more drastic treatments.
A rapidly growing field, telemedicine will continue to revolutionize health care access for patients in need. The health care informatics professionals at the forefront of telemedicine will be well-positioned to drive its functionality and usability for seniors and patients of all ages.
Date:May 01, 2017