.jpg)
The COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to reach isolated older adults, as well as the nation’s growing number of computer savvy seniors, has accelerated the use of technology in health care.
Telemedicine in particular is on the rise since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expanded reimbursement for telemedicine services through the end of the public health emergency by adding 144 telehealth services. According to the CMS, preliminary data shows that between mid-March and mid-October 2020, over 24.5 million out of 63 million beneficiaries and enrollees received a Medicare telemedicine service.
At MorseLife Health System, we are building upon the new acceptance of telehealth by older adults through a new, two-year pilot program with the goal of reducing isolation and depression while improving well-being among veterans, Holocaust Survivors and other seniors who have experienced significant life trauma.
Funded by the U.S. Federal Administration for Community Living, in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, the study utilizes the interactive video and audio capabilities of the Uniper platform to help seniors engage in face-to-face calls with PACE staff, nurses and doctors within a HIPPA compliant framework.
Participants also have access to interactive content such as cooking, yoga and meditation as well as the ability to engage with friends, family and other community members.
As part of its 2020 U.S. Health Care Consumer Survey, Deloitte found a consensus among professionals at Medicare Advantage plans and digital innovators that MA plans will increasingly offer digitally enabled supplemental benefits such as partnering with app-based transportation services, prescription and nutritional support delivery using digital and phone options, and social connector programs. Some are also experimenting with need-based benefits such as broadband support.
A growing number of companies also are spurring adoption of technology by older adults. In late 2020 Instacart launched a phone service offering assistance for seniors. After two calls, older adults went on to buy 25% more frequently than younger people. Amazon’s ubiquitous AI home assistant Alexa is the cornerstone of the company’s new Care Hub that establishes connections between seniors and loved ones. In addition to indicating someone’s activities, the Care Hub also can create alerts and access Alexa Calling and other features. This new wave of connected technology also promises to help millions.
For example, more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease and 11 million of their family and loved ones provide unpaid care. We recently launched a new three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) program which is showing transformative benefits among those with memory impairment who are living at the Memory Care Residences at MorseLife.
With VR, areas of the brain closed off by the disease are stimulated with sensory experiences, evoking healthy physical movement during the interactive process. Psychological problems and mood disorders are reduced as residents immerse themselves in the program, enjoying vibrant 360-degree surroundings, discovering new places or reminiscing about their past.
VR is easily customized to each patient’s passions and interests with an extensive library of content and experiences, including interactive games, apps, and a family engagement platform. Participants need only a viewing headset to take museum tours in foreign countries, attend bucket-list cultural events, fly across the globe, climb a mountain or even visit the church or synagogue where they were married.
From wearable devices that monitor physical health to drugstore deliveries by drone, technology is changing health care and offering us new ways to literarily connect with our patients.
