Telehealth Revolutionizes Senior Care Delivery
Telehealth Revolutionizes Senior Care Delivery
Thursday August 6, 2020
The revolution WILL be televised! The healthcare revolution that is…
Telehealth has been predicted to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation for at least 20 years. However, the recent COVID 19 pandemic has created an environment in which healthcare practitioners, patients, government regulators and payers all made significant changes in behavior to allow mass expansion of utilization and capability in healthcare technology. A McKinsey COVID-19 consumer survey found that, “consumer adoption has skyrocketed, from 11 percent of U.S. consumers using telehealth in 2019 to 46 percent of consumers now using telehealth to replace cancelled healthcare visits.”
Abramson Senior Care’s community based services have also rapidly scaled up our telehealth use. In some areas we were already well prepared to offer telehealth, for example in Primary Care and Palliative Care infrastructure was already in place. But, prior to the pandemic, most patients were not interested in taking advantage of these technologies preferring in-person visits.
In other areas, like Hospice and Home Care, we have rapidly expanded our use of iPads and smart phones to connect families and patients in new and innovative ways.
While telehealth during the pandemic may have been a necessity to keep patients and providers safe, it offers many benefits that indicated it will become a permanent, prominent part of healthcare delivery going forward. According to a McKinsey article on telehealth and COVID-19, “the potential impact is improved convenience and access to care, better patient outcomes, and a more efficient healthcare system.”
At Abramson Senior Care, we are excited about the many advantages telehealth extends to our clients and their loved ones. Some ways that we are using the technology to serve our seniors, include:
- Chronic disease management. Patients and clients with chronic illnesses know that it can be time-consuming to properly manage the disease. With telemedicine, check-ins with the doctor can happen without the patient ever leaving home – cutting down on transportation time and time spent in the waiting room. If there is a change in condition that needs immediate attention, a doctor can quickly assess via televisit and prescribe any necessary medications.
- Wellness programs. Abramson Senior Care has begun offering wellness programs including classes such as yoga and meditation, and a music program for clients. These programs give those who may be housebound a chance to connect with others and participate in meaningful activities.
- Emotional support. Caregivers may need support, but find it hard to find the time to attend a support group in-person. Those who have recently lost a loved one, may need bereavement support. Our virtual support groups offer members the flexibility to join from wherever they are.
- Promote healthy aging. Our educational classes are focused on helping seniors remain healthy through topics such as managing and preventing chronic disease, how to stay safe at home, maintaining healthy mental health through mindfulness, and so much more!
At Abramson Senior Care, we are committed to always being ahead of the curve in providing senior care. With the expansion of telehealth over the past couple of months, we are able to safely bring new innovative programs and another layer of care delivery to our seniors.
If you are interested in finding out more about how Abramson Senior Care’s services can provide support and care for you or your loved one, please call Abramson Care Advisors at 215.371.3400.
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