Brenda Lyle – Florida Today
By Brenda Lyle
Q: Is telemedicine a good option for seniors?
A: Telemedicine—virtual or remote care—is here to stay, with the potential to empower seniors to stay independent longer. As we age, medical appointments can involve transportation logistics and long hours in waiting rooms. With some caveats, virtual care offers a practical solution, allowing for consultations with healthcare providers from the safety and comfort of home.
Using Technology
You don’t have to have an expensive computer. If technology is a barrier, a standard smartphone—or even a regular phone can work.
Remote Monitoring
Seniors are more likely to manage long-term illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), devices can track vital signs like blood pressure and blood sugar, instantly transmitting data to a doctor. Seniors typically get RPM devices through a prescription and enrollment process managed by their healthcare provider.
No Travel Woes
For seniors living in rural communities or with mobility issues, travel can be exhausting. Virtual visits eliminate the stress of driving in poor weather, arranging transportation, or navigating large medical complexes.
Germ Free
Sitting in a crowded waiting room exposes vulnerable immune systems to contagious viruses. Telemedicine keeps seniors safe at home during peak flu and respiratory seasons.
Caregiver Involvement
Adult children or caregivers may not be able to attend every doctor’s appointment due to work or distance. Telehealth platforms make it easy to loop family members into video calls so everyone stays on the same page.
The Downside
Nothing is perfect. The main downside of telehealth for seniors is the lack of hands-on physical examinations, which can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses, especially given older adults’ complex medical needs. In addition,
- Hearing, vision, and speech difficulties can make virtual interactions frustrating, while cognitive impairments can make it difficult for seniors to accurately relay their symptoms.
- Doctors cannot check vital signs directly, listen to heart and lungs, or perform physical palpations, increasing the risk of diagnostic errors.
- Generic “doctor apps” instead of regular primary care providers can lead to missing medical histories and medication oversights.
How to Prepare
To get the most out of a virtual visit, treat it just like an office visit. Write down symptoms, current medications, and questions ahead of time. Set up your device in a quiet, well-lit room so your provider can see and hear you clearly.
90% of adults aged 50 and older who used telehealth reported being satisfied with the experience, according to AARP research. While telemedicine cannot entirely replace physical exams or hands-on procedures, it can be an exceptional tool for routine check-ins, mental health support, and consultations—putting high-quality healthcare right at our fingertips.
Brenda Lyle is a Certified Care Manager and Certified Dementia Practitioner with One Senior Place, Greater Orlando. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
