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8 Tips for a Successful Telemedicine Appointment for Seniors

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Trekking to the doctor’s office may soon be – at least, in some instances – a thing of the past. Telemedicine – the practice of caring for patients when the physician and patient aren’t physically together – isn’t a new technology. It’s been used for some time in remote or rural regions where getting to a physician is a lengthy or difficult process. But there’s recently been an explosion of telehealth and telemedicine usage due to the nature of COVID-19.

“With stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders keeping people socially distanced, telemedicine has been a wonderful way for patients to stay on top of their health without putting themselves at risk,” says Trish McKay, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, a memory care assisted living community in Trumbull, CT. “Being able to virtually see a doctor for checkups, health concerns, medication refills and the like has allowed everyone – and in particular, seniors – to remain healthy without increasing their risk of becoming ill.”

“Doctors are reporting that they’re seeing more patients and having fewer no-shows thanks to telemedicine appointments,” says Trish. “Patients are loving that they no longer have to travel to a location, wait in a potentially germ-filled office and sit in an exam room while waiting for the doctor to finish with another patient.”

Telemedicine can benefit seniors – reducing the amount of time they spend going to the doctor without sacrificing their quality of care – but it’s important to know how to prepare to make sure your telemedicine visit is successful..

 

Tips for a Successful Telemedicine Visit

Whether you’re getting ready for your very first telemedicine appointment or you’ve already become old hat at the technology, you want to do your due diligence and prepare before you actually sit down in front of a screen. Here are some tips to follow and steps to take:

 

1. Prep your tech. You will need a strong, reliable Internet connection as well as a device that has a camera and bandwidth to run the application. A decent computer is a good option, but you may also want to opt for a smartphone or tablet. If you yourself don’t have one, see if you can borrow one from a friend or family member.

2. Make the appointment. Depending on how your doctor’s office is handling telemedicine visits, you will either need to call or go online to make an appointment. Once you’ve done so, you’ll receive instructions from the office about how to set up your virtual visit (what apps to download, where to look for a link, etc.). You may need to sign some paperwork and consent forms prior to the appointment.

3. Get prepared. Take some time to write down your symptoms, concerns or whatever else you would like to speak to the doctor about during your appointment. Having a list handy will make sure you make the most of the time with your doctor.

4. Take your vitals. Your doctor may have a list of tasks for you to prepare before the visit, such as taking your pulse, weighing yourself or checking your temperature. Even if he or she doesn’t specifically ask for it, it may be useful to check them out on your own so you can see if anything seems “off.” It will also ensure that your doctor has the most recent information available.

4. Set up your space. It’s best to hold your appointment in a quiet area with good lighting. This will minimize distractions and give the doctor the best visibility possible if he or she needs to see something up close.

5. Be early. About 5-10 minutes is good. Depending on what platform you’re using, you may be put in a digital waiting room to wait for the doctor. Your appointment will begin when the doctor appears on screen.

6. Ask questions and write it down. One of the benefits of being at home and in a comfortable spot is that it’s a little easier to write down notes (which can be difficult to do when you’re sitting on the exam table). Remember to ask questions or get clarification on any issues.

7. Be flexible. Technology can sometimes be wonky, so don’t get too rattled if something goes awry, like the signal cutting out or the connection being poor. You won’t be the first patient who’s had difficulties – just take a deep breath, ask your doctor to repeat the information or, at the very least, follow up with the office later.

8. Note down any follow-up instructions. Depending on what you’re seeing the doctor for, you may need to actually get an in-person physical visit. Perhaps your doctor will need to run a blood test, or have you take an MRI or X-ray. If this is the case, your doctor will let you know and provide follow-up instructions.

“In the past several months, there are many workaround technologies that have quickly become integral to our daily lives,” says Trish. “We’re already banking virtually, ordering groceries online, handling all our bills virtually … it only makes sense that telemedicine and seeing doctors virtually is the next big evolution.”

 

Dedicated Memory Care

Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull delivers highly specialized memory care assisted living for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our resident-centered approach focuses on providing dignity, purpose and moments of joy in daily life for those in all stages of the disease. We offer a wellness-focused lifestyle that centers around a resident’s current skills and abilities, not those that have been lost to dementia.

 

Life-Enriching Programs

Our team members take an active role in getting to know each resident on a personal level to deliver programming that is meaningful to them. We account for the preferences, interests, needs and abilities of our residents to connect with them and encourage their involvement in daily life and boost self-esteem.

 

Warm, Residential Atmosphere

Featuring a stunning residential design, every inch of our community has been designed to benefit those with memory loss. Attributes such as soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel comfortable, safe and at home.

 

Contact us today to learn more.

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