Memo to Doctors: Older Patients (and Their Kids) Love Telehealth

pcmag.com:

It’s hard to find bright spots in the pandemic, but the widespread adoption of telehealth is one. While a video visit with a physician is not as thorough as an in-person one, the ability to see and speak to a doctor without risking COVID-19 exposure has eased the minds of many.

Independa surveyed 1,000 Americans who care for older parents regarding their feelings about telehealth during the pandemic. The comfort and convenience of telehealth was preferred by 69.5% of respondents; 62.8% said they were thankful to save travel time, and 55% preferred telehealth because of the risks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Eighty-three percent of adults with older parents said they felt more comfortable that their parents had the option of telehealth, and 80% said telehealth made their parents feel more comfortable about receiving care during the pandemic. 

Telehealth visits can be improved by having some home medical equipment on hand, such as a blood-pressure cuff, a pulse oximeter to check heart rate and oxygen saturation levels, and a thermometer. For a more thorough exam, you may also want to purchase a remote exam kit that has a stethoscope, otoscope, and basal thermometer and can send information to your physician. If cardiac issues are a concern, EKGs can be done through a small personal monitor or an Apple Watch (Series 4 and above). 

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