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As people age, they may experience more health care needs. There are typically three options for managing these care needs: Hospitalization, hiring a caregiver, or moving to a skilled nursing facility for their home care monitoring.
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How Remote Patient Monitoring Can Bolster Aging In Place As people age, they may experience more health care needs. There are typically three options for managing these care needs: Hospitalization, hiring a caregiver, or moving to a skilled nursing facility for their home care monitoring. Each of these has its advantages with the last option being most expensive and least desirable for many older adults. Remote patient monitoring can help to avoid the need for expensive long-term care by enabling clinicians to monitor patients in their homes. This can be especially helpful for people with chronic conditions that are managed through monthly check-ups, such as diabetes management or COPD management.
Remote patient monitoring is typically done through telemedicine services, readings from connected devices, or sending prescriptions via video chat within an app. Clinicians (with written permission from patients) can help to manage care needs for older adults in their own homes. Typically, the choice to use this technology will be made by the patient and/or family. If you are age 62 or older and interested in learning more, contact your regional social service agency or a family member such as a physician or caregiver. People with disabilities can benefit from home care monitoring because it allows them to stay at home and live independently. People with physical disabilities may need daily assistance with mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs). Examples of ADLs include bathing, dressing, and eating. People with disabilities may also need extra help with medical problems. For example, someone with diabetes or heart disease may need to check their blood sugar levels more frequently than when they were younger.
For people with chronic illnesses (such as COPD, heart disease, or diabetes), regular check-ups are required in order to manage them effectively. However, for many middle-aged and older adults that live in rural areas, these health care services are less accessible. The use of telemonitoring equipment in these areas can help patients better manage treatment and avoid premature death (and subsequent costly long-term care). With the help of telemonitoring equipment, providers can offer regular checkups without the patient having to travel to see them in person. Because many rural communities have limited access to medical equipment and services, telemonitoring can also help improve the quality of life for people living in rural areas.
How Remote Patient Monitoring Helps? Remote patient or home care monitoring has helped to reduce complications and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses. One study showed that, after using telemedicine devices, 6 out of 7 COPD patients had reduced hospital visits. Another study showed that telemonitoring devices reduced the number of hospital admissions by 92% for heart failure patients. Telemonitoring is also used for many other conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and OCD. Using telemonitoring equipment to monitor blood pressure readings at home can lead to better control in people with high blood pressure. Using telemonitoring equipment for blood sugar levels in people with diabetes can help ensure more consistent readings during meals or times of low insulin activity. There are many advantages to using telemedicine services. The most obvious benefit is the reduction of costs, which can be especially helpful for people with lower incomes.
Home Health Agencies & Remote Patient Monitoring Home care monitoring services are offered by many home health agencies, hospice agencies, and social service agencies. Some of these organizations provide safety check-ups, illness management services, and chronic condition management. These can include medications, counseling, case management, and tutoring. These organizations offer remote patient monitoring services because they want to help patients and families reduce costs and improve quality of life. Additionally, these organizations often use remote patient monitoring as a way to improve the quality of life for their customers because it improves health care outcomes by reducing hospital admissions and emergency room visits. While home health agencies can provide basic services to people outside of their scope, they are not allowed to practice medicine, which is the domain of doctor's offices and private practices.
