Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Telehealth has become widely used over the course of a year. With the global pandemic, it was recommended that telehealth be used as much as possible to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. Telehealth is the use of electronic devices and telecommunication technologies that provide care for patients without them having to leave their home.

Having the option to access medical care from the comfort and convenience of your own home during such tumultuous times is extremely beneficial, especially to seniors. The elderly populations, or people over 65, are at a higher risk of contracting the virus than younger demographics. Physical or mental health issues can be inevitable, so the ability to access health care via telehealth whenever necessary is advantageous.

Mental Health Resource

In the midst of the global pandemic, mental health issues have become widespread. The quantity and quality of social relationships have become a significant hurdle for senior citizens, especially those who have no choice but to self-isolate. Studies suggest measuring loneliness precisely can be difficult. However, there is strong evidence that social isolation in seniors can lead to loneliness, which in turn can result in a slew of health risks.

One study took place at the height of the pandemic involving thirty elderly nursing home residents. Each resident was paired with a student volunteer, who was responsible for calling a senior resident weekly. The study promoted well-being for the seniors, giving them an opportunity to combat their feelings of isolation and loneliness. Seniors reported feelings of gratitude for the slice of social connectedness the phone calls brought them once a week.

Blue Moon Senior Counseling provides telehealth counseling sessions for seniors who are feeling the effects of social isolation or even those who feel they could prevent any future feelings of loneliness. This allows for professional medical services to be accessed, without the added stress of health risks that come with visiting a doctor face-to-face. In a matter of seconds, seniors can obtain the mental health advice they need.

Vision Care Resource

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Another telehealth resource to be utilized is vision care. Eye problems and eye diseases are more prevalent in the senior demographic, therefore it’s imperative to stay on top of your vision health even during the pandemic. Approximately one in three elderly patients has some sort of eye condition by the age of 65. At that stage of life, eye diseases or vision changes can become permanent, especially if left untreated. The most common causes of vision loss among seniors are glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. The risk factor paralleled in each of those eye diseases is aging. Regular or yearly eye exams become even more crucial to stay on top of as you age in order to avoid serious eye problems down the road.

It’s understandable to be hesitant about stepping foot in a doctor’s office in the midst of such unprecedented times. Fortunately, apps like Prescription Check by Warby Parker offer the ability to have your prescription checked by a doctor without having to physically go into an office. This is a great alternative for seniors who may be considering skipping their yearly eye exam due to the pandemic and their desire to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctors’ offices. The app also allows you to virtually try-on frames and shop for eyeglasses, making it an even easier decision for seniors to stay home and protect their health and order new glasses or contacts right to their door.

Primary Care Resource

Before the pandemic broke out, visits to your primary care doctor might have been the most common doctors visit of them all. As you age, yearly wellness visits become even more important than in previous years. Primary care is the foundation of our healthcare system. It’s typically the first place a person will go when they’re in need of managing day-to-day health needs. With that in mind, seniors may want to avoid their primary care doctor to eliminate the risk of picking up an infection or illness.

The thought of visiting your primary care provider can feel overwhelming and stressful given the current conditions. However, it’s not something that should be avoided. SteadyMD offers an online primary care service, adding another beneficial telehealth resource to the list for seniors. This is a perfect fit for seniors who are looking for comprehensive and personalized care from anywhere in the world. Now is a perfect time to invest in your long-term health and get to know your virtual primary care physician.

Given the current circumstances in the world we live in, seniors should not have to put their health on the back burner. Telehealth resources have provided the elderly demographic a way to prioritize their health and wellness while avoiding the dangers of heading to a doctor’s office and has made care more accessible than ever before.