Family Connection and Engagement in Senior Care
By Holly Foreman
It’s well-known that loneliness contributes to physical and mental decline, which can have a serious affect on health for anyone. When you consider that 18% of seniors live alone— and 43% report feeling lonely— it becomes apparent that it’s time to prioritize connectivity and engagement for seniors, whether living at home or in aged care facilities.
Isolation has always been a concern in the well-being of seniors, and COVID has certainly highlighted and exacerbated it. Actions taken for the health and welfare of our seniors, like isolating entire facilities from everyone but key care personnel, left residents even more alone than ever before. They had to navigate their health care without much support from family and friends, and without much connection to the outside world.
At CareMeda, we know that when a patient of any age has loved ones involved in their care, they are more likely to have positive outcomes. That is particularly true for seniors. Let’s face it, navigating the health care landscape can be difficult for anyone, but it is especially so for seniors who may be facing unfamiliar technology, terminology, and methods. It is vitally important they have someone they trust who can help them understand all the moving parts of their care. With outside support, residents become more confident and involved in their own wellness. Residents whose loved ones are integrated in their care live longer, and with a higher quality of life.
Some senior residences and care facilities have staff positions dedicated to ensuring that families can stay in communication with their loved ones. But staffing is tough everywhere, and even with such a position in place, caregivers can only do so much. CareMeda takes it beyond communication, and fully integrates the family members of residents so they have a comprehensive view of their senior’s well-being at all times.
Regardless of distance, pandemic, technology struggles or family schedules, our seniors don’t have to remain isolated. CareMeda’s app, Connectkin©, makes it possible for families to stay in touch and involved regardless of where they may live. Friends and family can virtually visit their loved one, sit in on doctor’s consultations, and view their vitals history. Even healthcare proxies are able to remotely participate in a patient’s care. The Connectkin© app from CareMeda can be fully customized to share vitals measurements, care routine information, and upcoming appointment schedules. When family members can’t be physically present, they can initiate video chats with the resident and fully participate in their care consultations. Reports and testing results can be viewed by multiple approved family members at the same time. Connectkin© bridges the gap that time and distance frequently create in a senior’s life when they move into aged care.
Perhaps more importantly, seniors are empowered to be fully involved in their care. We understand that technology can be too complex for most seniors to accept and use. In fact, only 42% of adults over 65 have and use smart devices. But by creating a beautifully simple interface, CareMeda has removed the difficulty and frustration from high-tech connectivity. We’ve made it straightforward and easy for residents to initiate a video call, answer surveys from their caregivers, and to have oversight into all their medical information like vitals measurements. Technology doesn’t have to be frustrating, and we’ve made it possible for seniors to remain informed and in control of their care.
Ultimately, we understand that seniors can potentially be the most vulnerable population in the world of healthcare, and we at CareMeda are proud to have bridged a vital gap. We have made it possible for residents, families, healthcare providers, and caregivers to unite in a common goal: the improved long-term health and wellbeing of seniors in aged care.
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CareMeda invites you to join in ongoing discussion on topics affecting the health care and aged care industries such as:
Staffing shortages
Health records management
Patient and family engagement
Telehealth shortcomings and benefits
Improvements in elder care
Hospital-At-Home
Remote care for chronic illness
Self-Triage and Patient Kiosks