Telemedicine has proved to be a service of convenience. But, what if telemedicine provides not only convenience, but independence?

People with limited mobility rely on others to transport them to the doctor. Or, they settle for regular impersonal phone calls. Telemedicine can bridge the gap and offer homebound patients the same care that they would receive in the office, especially with consultations, follow-ups, and questions. Telemedicine allows these patients to be proactive and in charge of their own health by scheduling online appointments and actually being able to hold the appointments without assistance. Where assistance is preferred, an adult caretaker or specialist may join in on telemedicine sessions as a third party to participate in a patient’s healthcare plan.

Our mobile app – launched in March of 2015 – adds to the convenience, and we’re excited to offer ultimate independence to patients for whom it’s life-changing. These patients can now use a tablet on the couch or in bed, and receive the same care that they would if they were to drive to the office.

An alternate scenario: nursing home residents. While nursing homes may have physicians on staff, most are not around-the-clock; or, only certain types of physicians are available. Introducing telemedicine into nursing homes presents resources that are otherwise unattainable.

Staff – as well as the patients – will have peace-of-mind that patient transports are not always essential. A remote primary care physician, psychiatrist, urologist, neurologist (the list goes on and on) can address the concern and offer professional input.

A nursing home with an abundant network can maintain a group of doctors that are needed on a regular basis. Or, a smaller facility may choose only a remote primary care physician and a psychiatrist.

With the modernization of healthcare, telemedicine will soon be the norm – especially in communities like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Transporting patients is not only costly, but induces patient stress and anxiety. Guaranteeing on-site healthcare ensures at-ease residents who enjoy day-to-day living without the worry of their next health assessment.

And, because we love to go back to marketing: make your nursing home stand out with telemedicine before it becomes the norm. Caretakers will feel at-ease about their loved ones if they know a medical professional will always be available.

Can you think of other ways telemedicine can help elderly, or limited mobility patients?