Telehealth is a service that allows seniors to receive treatment in their homes when doctors’ offices are closed or for other unforeseen reasons. Your senior loved one’s visit will be safe, secure, and convenient. Continue reading to learn how you can help your parent take advantage of remote health services.
Verify Insurance Coverage
Although telehealth is increasingly popular with older adults, not all insurance providers offer this option. To prevent your loved one from incurring extra fees, verify his or her insurance coverage. The provider should give information regarding the telehealth company it uses and what your loved one is entitled to with his or her plan. For instance, some providers allow seniors to receive care from in-network doctors other than their primary care physicians. However, if your loved one is more comfortable with his or her doctor, see if the physician offers telehealth services and schedule remote visits with that specific provider.
Take Pictures
Your parent cannot show the doctor bruises, bumps, rashes, and other markings in person. Therefore, you’ll need to take photos of these things and send them to the doctor when scheduling an appointment. The telehealth app should ask your loved one to upload the images from a folder on his or her smartphone or tablet or offer the option to take the photos directly with the camera on his or her device. Uploading photos lets the physician get more insight into the problem and allows him or her to diagnose the issue accurately. If your loved one has difficulty taking pictures, teach him or her how to use the camera prior to the appointment.
A variety of age-related conditions can make it challenging for seniors to live at home independently. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Barrie, ON, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Choose the Best Area
Before the call, your loved one should go to a room with few or no distractions. Background noises could make it difficult for the doctor to hear your parent. Your loved one must have a secure internet connection when using video chat. If your loved one is interacting with the doctor via telephone, choose an area of the home with the strongest cell phone signal. If the call drops, the doctor may need to reschedule to a later date, depending on availability.
For family caregivers who find it challenging to balance their loved ones’ care needs with their own personal obligations and self-care needs, home care can be the ideal solution. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional home care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
Choose the Right Pharmacy
If the physician decides medication is necessary to treat your parent, he or she will send it to the pharmacy electronically. Keep in mind your loved one can use a different pharmacy each time, but it would be best to keep prescriptions at the same place to prevent errors. Selecting a pharmacist who’s familiar with your parent’s health and medication history could cut down on costly mistakes. The doctor should send a notification to the pharmacy detailing the prescription and other important information regarding the visit.
Using the internet for various activities is just one of the issues aging adults must navigate in today’s modern world. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care service. Barrie families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. Trust Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at 647-970-3803.