Globally, as of this writing, there are over 350,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and unfortunately, about 15,000 deaths. As the world is dealing with the severities of this widespread COVID-19 pandemic, chronically overstretched public health systems are collapsing under the pressure, and the elderly are facing a long stretch of social isolation.
The painful reality; this unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems is causing delays, caregiver burnout, and by default, the inadequate capacity to meet the needs of those infected, combat the virus and effectively prevent any further spread – especially to those in high-risk groups, i.e. the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions, to whom the virus poses a greater risk.
And the side effect? Countless older adults are socially isolated in their homes, which in turn, could lead to many other detrimental conditions.
To respond proactively to the spread of COVID-19, take the overwhelming pressure off healthcare systems, and allow care professionals to remain engaged with their clients, many are seeking solutions – one solution is remote care.
Remote care allows care professionals to treat high-risk patients that are unable to leave their home, and who are dealing with the impact of prolonged loneliness and isolation.
Let’s find out how.
Remote Care
Every day, care providers are working tirelessly to keep patients informed, healthy, and safe in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. But, with the sheer number of confirmed cases, this is easier said than done.
With that in mind, it’s important to note, recent insistence from governments to practice social isolation has brought about a general shift towards remote care. And fortunately, this form of care will enable care providers to scale their care and patient reach.
Remote care includes telehealth, virtual check-ins, and various other care delivery techniques that will enable the continuous connection and engagement between care provider and patient or client, and in turn, the proper care management of these high-risk members of the community.
Using a remote care platform, healthcare professionals—care managers, therapists, coaches, doctors, nurses, and so on—can keep up to date with their patients from afar. And, monitor health patterns to detect health concerns and changes that could be caused by COVID-19 or prolonged social isolation.
Armed with these insights, care teams are able to focus their efforts on individuals who need it most while preventing the further spread of the virus.
Social Isolation
Right now, in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, we are being instructed to maintain our distance from one another, leave the house only when necessary, and begin practicing social isolation.
However, while keeping to ourselves and staying at home may seem simple, prolonged isolation actually has serious side effects, especially for the elderly. Loneliness is a serious condition. It can lead to poor mental health, impaired immune responses, and therefore, an increased risk of catching life-threatening illnesses and hospitalization.
It’s vital that individuals alongside care teams proactively combat the effects of loneliness from the get-go, and the best way to do so is by focusing on their own health, treatment, and prevention.
Remote care solutions help patients remain informed on their own health status at all times. Though consistent remote engagements with care professionals, patients can keep up to date with prevention techniques, calm their own anxiety, and receive personalized care, all from the comfort of their home.
Even more, by connecting and engaging remotely, professionals can ensure their patients know they aren’t alone and have the support of their care team, even if they can’t have physical contact with them.
Ensure Access for All
Technological advances have introduced us to the likes of Alexa, Siri, Google Home, countless telehealth apps, and more.
While these technological devices are excellent in providing us with information, connection to our care providers, and companionship that we need, they are not accessible to all members of society. Most particularly, those with a lower income and older adults, due to usability requirements. After all, not everyone is comfortable with learning how to use new technology.
This is quite unfortunate, as, in this time of uncertainty and fear, these types of devices are crucial to combating loneliness, helping those in social isolation obtain information regarding care, and remaining connected to family and care providers, not to mention happenings around the world.
But, whereas these devices fail to include all members of society, some remote care solutions include all members of the community, as a working landline is all that is needed. High-risk older adults can rest assured that they will receive the care they need, and all from the comfort of their home, without having to purchase any new technology.
As for healthcare professionals, remote care can help them scale care, increase engagement, and focus on those at the highest risk, in a cost-effective and efficient way.
Final Note
As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, keeping our vulnerable populations safe and secure is our top priority. This can be done with remote engagement, screening, monitoring, and treatment.
These efforts will help care providers control and prevent COVID-19, as well as its secondary impacts of social isolation and loneliness in their community.
Our AI-driven voice bot, MyEleanor, can be utilized by healthcare providers to monitor and detect coronavirus symptoms, and in turn, direct proper, personalized, and timely care and management to high-risk patients who may not have access to treatment otherwise.
As well as this, with our remote calling platform, care professionals can reach out and engage with their clients to discuss their health status, and reassure them that they aren’t alone during these difficult times.
Both of our solutions contain an AI-based voice analysis algorithm, which works in the background of calls to detect changes in client health. Once detected, practitioners are notified and are able to engage promptly, thereby ensuring no client is left unattended when they need it most.
All in all, these solutions can help take the pressure off healthcare systems, scale care and management of high-risk patients, and maintain engagement and connectivity between patients and clients to combat loneliness caused by social isolation and COVID-19.
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