As a person ages, the need for family or caregivers to be engaged within their medical appointments generally increases. In a 2015 review, the Alzheimer’s Association noted that there were almost 15.7 million adult family caregivers in the United States that were providing care to an older adult that was diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia alone.
Communicating with People with Disabilities
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.”
Perceptions and Uses of Telehealth in the Care of Older Adults
Understanding how physicians perceive advantages, challenges, and uses of telehealth and age-friendly practices in the care of older adults.
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.
Leveraging Telehealth in Long-Term Care
Toolkit assembled by the University of Virginia to leverage telehealth in long term care and promote best practices for supporting vulnerable populations.
A Practical Guide to Telehealth: Implementing telehealth in post-acute and long-term care settings
Toolkit to support organizations that want to effectively implement telehealth in post-acute and long-term care settings.
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