Telehealth is becoming an essential component of healthcare thanks to its convenience and accessibility. However, seniors might struggle with this type of visit, especially if they’ve not done much with technology. This is where having home care assistance by their side can help them make the most of the visit by introducing the tips and tricks explored below.
Understanding Telehealth
The term “telehealth” describes medical treatments that occur remotely using technology, such as online messaging, phone calls, or video calls. It lessens the need for travel and exposure to diseases by enabling seniors to consult with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their own homes.
Getting Ready for the Telehealth Visit
Preparation can make all the difference. With support from home care assistance, seniors can make sure their camera and microphone work on their device of choice, whether they’re using their laptop, tablet, or smartphone. At the same time, a quick check to make sure the internet is working is a good idea, as a steady connection will reduce frustration and allow seniors to approach the appointment with a sense of calm. Additionally, it’s essential to make sure any required apps are downloaded and updated. Another great idea is to have seniors do a practice run to ensure everything works as it should.
Gathering Documentation
Seniors should approach the telehealth visit as if they’re meeting with the doctor face-to-face. In other words, they need to gather all relevant medical records, such as their medical history, current prescriptions, and results of any recent tests. They should also remember that this is their time to ask questions and have their concerns addressed. With home care assistance helping them, they can jot down the things they want to talk about so they don’t forget.
Arrive on Time
This might seem like an odd tip, but seniors need to prepare to be on time, just like they would if they were driving to their appointment. Plus, logging in early ensures one last time that everything is working as it should.
During the Visit
There are a variety of things that could occur during the visit, depending on what type of visit it is. For instance, medical history is likely more important during a first visit than one in which seniors have been seeing the physician for a long time. Still, there are a few tips that should be used for each visit:
Communicate Clearly: Seniors should speak clearly and slowly to make sure the provider can understand them.
Take Notes: With home care assistance included in the appointment as well, seniors have someone to take notes on important topics covered during the visit. This helps seniors review the information after the visit to ensure they understand what was said.
Ask Questions: This was mentioned above, but it’s a good idea to have a list of questions ready for the doctor. Again, the type of appointment may determine how many questions are asked. Regardless, seniors should feel heard at the end of the appointment.
Seniors’ experience receiving healthcare can be greatly enhanced via telehealth. Home care assistance can help seniors maximize their telehealth visits by being well-prepared and making use of the tools at their disposal.