Telehealth and Telemedicine

Our nursing team, specially trained in telemedicine and telehealth, is there to coordinate the appointment, assist with any vital signs or medical marker tests, provide information and medical history, and work with the resident and his or her family to ensure information from the visit is shared and the medical interventions (doctor’s orders) are followed as prescribed. The telecommunications infrastructure at KindCare allows for both remote clinical and remote non-clinical services for our residents, creating better healthcare outcomes and peace of mind for our residents and their loved ones.

Going to the doctor is a stressful experience. Long waits, distant offices, poor weather, exposure to illness, and myriad other inconveniences and safety concerns contribute to the difficulties. Also, arthritis and mobility issues, such as Parkinson’s disease, can make getting in and out of a car, navigating parking and multi-level facilities, and highway driving difficult and stressful – all adding to the inconvenience of an in-office medical appointment. Additionally, managing multiple chronic health conditions, such as heart failure, kidney disease, poor eyesight, or depression leads to an overwhelming number of appointments at multiple providers, compounding the stress.

Telemedicine offers a safe and convenient alternative for delivering quality medical care. Instead of struggling to visit her neurologist at the hospital, for example, a KindCare resident with Parkinson’s could stay at her home community while her doctor evaluates her gait, movements, and speech over high-definition video with the help of our Telehealth Nursing Team. Telemedicine also allows caregivers and family members to virtually participate in visits and consultations, relieving a patient of the stress of trying to hear and remember details of the appointment.

Lack of communication among care providers can lead to misdiagnoses, errors in prescribing medication, and overall poor care. When seniors are admitted to a hospital, for example, their primary care physician quite possibly is unaware of recent medical events or changes in medications, making it more difficult to effectively manage care. KindCare’s use of telemedicine as part of a comprehensive, proactive approach to wellness allows care providers to stay apprised of a resident’s changing health needs and interactions with other doctors. From receiving discharge care plans from emergency room departments to consulting with home health nurses, this kind of 360-degree visibility optimizes care coordination and health outcomes across both acute-care and outpatient-care settings.

Older adults with chronic health conditions often additionally suffer from simple issues as well, such as a minor respiratory infection. When on-site or telehealthcare is unavailable, even a relatively minor concern often results in a trip to the emergency room – which can expose a vulnerable older adult to viruses, disrupted routines, and confusion.

Because telemedicine is proactive, this life-saving technology connects KindCare nursing staff to specialized medical expertise in an instant. Fast, accurate, efficient medical care means healthier KindCare residents. In addition, the delivery of this care is on-site, eliminating the need to transport weakened residents to hospitals, a stressful transition leading to increased exposure to infection.