Technology became a lifeline for families and caregivers during the continued COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns and social distancing recommendations in place, virtual visits through telehealth exploded. However, seniors, nearly a quarter of whom are considered socially isolated and face physical, social, and psychological barriers, are being left out of this transition.
This lack of access to technology carries a number of potential risks. For one, loneliness increases an individual’s risk of premature death to the same degree as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity and contributes to a roughly 50% increase in dementia risk. And while this digital divide may harm the health of seniors, it also interferes with clinical care delivery.
Although healthcare providers conducted between 50 and 175 times the number of telehealth visits during the pandemic, 3 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries and seniors nearing eligibility say they do not know how to use video calling technology, while 40% of seniors may be entirely unable to access telehealth visits because they are unfamiliar with the technology or they lack the access to connected devices or the internet.
While the growth in telehealth utilization is largely associated with COVID-19, it has much broader application for seniors. For example, with an estimated 600,000 older adults giving up their driver’s license each year, telehealth can ease the burden on the roughly 40% of family caregivers who spend at least five hours each week providing or arranging transportation for their loved ones.
Barriers to telehealth adoption for senior patients
A self-perceived lack of technological savvy leaves seniors, particularly those over 70 years old who are disproportionately targeted by financial scams, feeling vulnerable and hesitant to participate in virtual care. For others, the barriers are physical and cognitive in nature. For example, roughly one-third of people between 64 and 75, and nearly half of those over the age of 75, have hearing loss, which makes it difficult to converse with a doctor or care provider during a telehealth visit.
In addition, older individuals may struggle to read the text on small phone screens, and may find it difficult to manipulate a smartphone or tablet because of arthritis, fatigue caused by trying to tap the small icons on a phone screen, or a lack of moisture in their fingertips, which may prevent the screen from registering their touches.
Bridging the gap with technology
Given the challenges that standard devices pose, what should healthcare providers and home healthcare organizations look for in a telehealth solution? Here are some factors and features to consider:
- A brighter display and louder speakers that make it easier to see and hear conversations, and larger icons that make it easier for seniors to see and navigate their device.
- Enhanced security that allows seniors to engage online securely and confidently, and a simplified user interface that provides quick, easy access to core features and apps.
- Reliable cellular connectivity that eliminates the need for seniors to a maintain wireless internet connection in their homes, and in long-term care facilities, where connectivity can be spotty.
A growing number of clinical organizations and home care companies are realizing the benefit of such telehealth capabilities for senior patients. The National PACE Association has made GrandPad, a tablet-based solution that was purpose built for users 75 and older, its preferred telehealth provider. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 71 PACE centers serving a combined 16,000 seniors and at-risk adults have adopted GrandPad with compelling results.
In one case, a PACE participant who called his local senior center 10 times a day because he wanted companionship, was able to use the tablet to connect with family, friends and an old Army buddy, easing his loneliness. Another PACE center used video calls to build trust with a client so she would allow them to transport her to needed medical care. Finally, a third PACE center successfully transformed its fall prevention curriculum so it could be presented remotely. The first session was successful enough that they plan to continue offering virtual fall prevention classes even after the pandemic has ended.
The COVID-19 pandemic will eventually fade, but telehealth will remain instrumental to care for our growing senior population. In fact, one recent survey found that 63% of people plan to increase their use of telehealth even after the pandemic. Given this shift, it is imperative that we remove technology barriers for senior patients to ensure continuity of care for providers and a reliable connection to caregivers and family members for elderly adults.
Nathan Vogt is director of strategic accounts for GrandPad. He can be reached at [email protected].
