Friday, December 21, 2018

Why Virtual Care will Grow in Importance

According to the U.S. government, all Baby Boomers will have turned at least 65 years of age by the year 2030. That makes it an incredibly important year for senior care. The Baby Boomer generation was the largest population increase in the United States, and that means that the number of senior citizens in the country will be at an all-time high at that year. The senior care model within the U.S. will be under strain before and after this year, but this year is widely regarded as a huge turning point for the country and how our elderly are cared for.

 

One of the big ways that seniors can be assisted is through virtual care. Telemedicine already exists, and has only recently become a realistic option for many seniors. Not only is it realistic, advances in how data is gathered and transmitted have made it helpful in many cases. Virtual care is more feasible than ever before, and it is only going to grow in convenience. Advances in technology and awareness of how to use that technology are making this a greater reality every day. Technology is important in healthcare in general, but it is growing even faster in the senior care sector. Advances are even likely to save us more and more money when it comes to the cost of care, too.

 

If we break down health care by the numbers, we can see that about two-thirds of treatments are for chronic conditions. This is an area that will be of an ongoing concern in the coming years, and much of the strain that this puts on the healthcare system can be alleviated if virtual care is employed. Now, this doesn’t necessarily meet everyone’s needs, but it can meet the needs of many, freeing up more resources for others, especially those individuals who might not be getting the assistance that they need. In this respect, virtual care isn’t pushing people aside, it is giving people the right degree of care and supervision that they need and allocating existing resources in a more helpful manner.

 

Virtual medicine has the potential to help more seniors get medical attention.

 

While this growing trend is an important one, virtual care is not something that can ever fully replace human contact. Other people are the only thing that can supply this need. Many people might be helped by virtual care, but it is not a replacement for human contact. If you have an elderly loved one that might be a candidate for telemedicine, it’s important to remember that they still need the love and attention of another person. Providing them with companionship, assistance, and love on a daily basis is still important. If you’re not able to give your mom or dad the love and attention that they need, looking to find a professional caregiver might be of value to you.

 

If this is you, feel free to give us a call and schedule a free consultation. All seniors need attention, but some need more than others. While virtual care is a big step forward, it is not going to solve the senior care crisis alone. Trained, professional caregivers can help as a supplement to this.

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