Telemedicine is Spreading in Usage

In the past, we’ve talked briefly about telemedicine, both the benefits that it can potentially provide to elder care patients and the limitations that it brings with it. One newer way that telemedicine is being employed is in the use of skilled nursing facilities. This is being used in a more widespread way in the New England area as a way for physicians to efficiently monitor residents and ensure that they are in the right location based upon their current needs. Mostly, this tool is being used to see if the nursing home is providing adequate care for residents, but it is a tool that can be used both ways; it can also be used to see if a nursing home is perhaps too much care for a patient.

 

Telemedicine does a lot of good to those that have difficulty getting around. It allows a virtual doctor to come to them instead, and because it is virtual, it is a much cheaper type of care. Those that might miss regular physicals, or those that might not be able to afford a doctor’s appointment copay can make their lives a lot easier to manage on a financial basis.

 

Telemedicine is becoming more popular, but it still has severe limitations when it comes to senior care.

 

Telemedicine, as I’ve written in other places, is not a cure-all. It is not a replacement for normal doctor checkups. It is, however, a nice safety measure to have in place, especially when seniors have difficulty leaving the house or are confined to a skilled nursing facility. It is a supplement to effective medical care and senior care, and not a replacement. Technology can do so many great things, but technology is just a tool. We need to use it correctly and responsibly if we are to reap the benefits. When it comes to care, there is no replacement for a human’s touch, especially when it comes to day to day interactions. Telemedicine is not a replacement for senior care, but a way to keep seniors receiving care even healthier.

 

It’s also worth noting that telemedicine is great for some purposes, but lackluster for others. For example, telemedicine can help to spot things like high blood pressure, or spot instances of neglect. But it can’t diagnose Alzheimer’s, or prepare a meal, or even give close companionship. In some areas, it’s great. In others, it can become more of a hindrance than a help. Knowing how to avoid this is a must if you’re going to benefit from it.

 

Studies have shown that happiness is often linked to social interactions. We can do a lot with technology, but we cannot completely replicate a human interaction. Computers can allow us to better communicate with those that we care about, both family members and doctors, but that’s not the same as getting a hug from someone we love or a firm handshake from a friend. Even face to face chat on the computer cannot do this. Social interactions in a face to face setting have been shown to improve mood, fight depression, and even improve physical health as a result of this.

The post Telemedicine is Spreading in Usage appeared first on Paradise In-Home Care.