Telehealth services are an option your senior loved one can use to avoid having to spend too much time in public healthcare environments. Being able to get a health issue diagnosed over the phone or computer also gives your loved one an easier way to boost his or her wellbeing when he or she doesn’t feel well enough to leave the house. Getting your loved one on board with using telehealth services is easier when you take the following steps.
1. Make Sure Your Loved One Has the Proper Technology
The majority of doctors use technology that works with most people’s devices. However, it’s worth taking the time to make sure your loved one has everything he or she needs to conduct an online healthcare visit. For example, your parent may need to download a virtual chat app or upgrade to a phone or computer with a camera. You’ll also want to make sure the Wi-Fi signal in your loved one’s home is reliable enough to support a potentially lengthy doctor’s appointment.
If your loved one has chronic health conditions, it can be challenging for him or her to live at home independently. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care 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.
2. Find a Quiet & Well-Lit Place to Talk
A telehealth visit should be viewed in the same way as a regular healthcare visit. Help your loved one create a quiet environment where he or she can hear the physician without being distracted. Your loved one should turn off the television and any other noisy appliances and conduct the video visit in a bright room. Doctors sometimes use their time on video calls to observe symptoms that are visible. Being able to show the doctor a rash or pale skin can aid the doctor in making a diagnosis.
3. Go Over What Your Parent Wants to Talk About
Your loved one should be prepared to cover his or her health concerns without forgetting important information. Talk to your loved one about why he or she is having the visit. If necessary, you may also want to encourage your loved one to write down a list of symptoms and questions. Your parent can refer to this information to make sure nothing is left out. Prior to the visit, your loved one may also want to take his or her temperature or other vital signs to share with the doctor.
For family caregivers who find it challenging to balance their loved ones’ care needs with their own personal obligations, home care can be the ideal solution. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior care, Senior Stride Home Care 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.
4. Try a Practice Run
If your loved one isn’t used to using this type of technology, a practice run can help him or her adjust. Consider making a FaceTime call to your loved one’s phone, or you could set up a Zoom meeting with a family member. This allows your loved one to see how he or she will look on a screen while also learning how to navigate video chat software.
5. Make Sure You or Another Caregiver Stays Nearby
Even with preparation, your loved one could run into a snag during the appointment. Make sure you or another person is available to provide guidance with technical issues, such as the meeting being temporarily cut off. This way, your loved one can quickly log back into the appointment and resume getting the healthcare he or she needs.
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 elder care. Oshkosh families trust Senior Stride Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. Trust Senior Stride Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate, professional home care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at 920-717-1767.