INPLACE CARE -
October 8, 2021

Telehealth – How Does it Work?

Telehealth is the provision of healthcare via phone or video call. Many of us have had our first experiences of telehealth in the past year, as appointments that do not require a physical examination are often being conducted online during covid lockdowns.

Telehealth can also be a vital intervention for those who are too unwell to leave the house or have limited mobility making it more difficult for them to attend appointments in person. But for older adults telehealth can feel more challenging, particularly video calls which require a little bit of technical know-how to set up. Some factors which may make telehealth more difficult for older adults include:

Vision or hearing impairment
Cognitive changes
Pain and muscle stiffness

Some easy interventions can make telehealth more accessible, including:

Increasing the size of text and images on the screen
Reducing glare on the screen to aid better vision and concentration
Using headphones for phone and video calls to reduce background noise
Reminders about appointments and notes about processes for those with cognitive impairment
Using an ergonomic set-up to reduce discomfort

If you or a loved one need help with telehealth appointments, a carer can help by setting up technology, creating reminders for appointments and even attending appointments with you.