The failure of health care providers to communicate effectively and appropriately with people with disabilities is a major barrier to delivering quality health care. The following information identifies general recommendations for communicating with people with disabilities in general and for individuals with specific disabilities. If you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with communication strategies, learn more about specific types of disability to increase your comfort level and communication skills.
Recommendations for Communicating with Older Adults During Telehealth Encounters
Equitable and Accessible Care Accounts for Older Adults’ Physical and Cognitive Differences
Pre-Visit Patient Questions: Cognitive Assessment
To keep a telehealth visit running smoothly for both patient and provider, it is important to understand what types of cognitive accommodations your patients may need for a telehealth visit before the visit ever takes place. The following is a set of questions geared for patients that must be administered by a person on your staff (not a form where the patient self reports). The screener can be done ahead of the telehealth visit over the phone or in person.
Pre-Visit Patient Questions: Hearing Assessment
To keep a telehealth visit running smoothly for both patient and provider, it is important to understand what types of hearing accommodations your patients may need for a telehealth visit before the visit ever takes place. The following is a set of questions geared for patients that can be included in intake forms or asked of the patient by a staff member ahead of a telehealth appointment.
Pre-Visit Patient Questions: Vision Assessment
To keep a telehealth visit running smoothly for both patient and provider, it is important to understand what types of vision accommodations your patients may need for a telehealth visit before the visit ever takes place. The following is a set of questions geared for patients that can be included in intake forms or asked of the patient by a staff member ahead of a telehealth appointment.
Equitable and Accessible Care
Health equity is often at the forefront of many healthcare related discussions and concerns, and this is especially true when considering telehealth. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines health equity as “the opportunity for everyone to receive the health care they need and deserve, regardless of social or economic status.”
Using Telehealth to Care for Seniors at Programs for the All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly
Toolkit intended to help providers manage care for seniors at PACE programs utilizing various telehealth tools.
Equity in Telehealth: Toolkit for Telehealth Providers
This toolkit provides telehealth providers with tools that prioritize an equity-focused approach, recognizing the physical, cognitive, linguistic, and cultural differences among older adults.
Identifying Barriers to Telehealth Home-Based Palliative Care for Patients with Serious Illness — The HomePal Study
Research report on the HomePal study which provides evidence and policy guidance to ensure effective, quality home-based palliative care through telehealth.
Perceived benefits of geriatric specialty telemedicine among rural patients and caregivers
Benefits of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of geriatric specialty telemedicine service (GRECC Connect) among older patients and caregivers in rural areas
Competencies for video telemedicine with older adult patients
Manuscript describes competencies for telemedicine with older adults for health professionals who treat them.
ActiveHip+: A feasible mHealth system for the recovery of older adults after hip surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study testing the feasibility of ActiveHip+ mHealth tool to aid older adults post hip surgery.