How Technology Can Benefit Seniors’ Health

Although some of you may not be up-to-date on the latest technology, it’s this technology that could actually be of great help to you when it comes to your health. Health technology like telemedicine services (online doctor consultations), online appointment scheduling and mobile apps.

Whether it’s a website offering diagnosis for different conditions or ailments or mobile apps that track your blood pressure, there’s something for just about everyone. And now, you can even meet with your doctor over the phone or through online video calls.

The idea of using the newest technology may seem a bit daunting at first, but many of these services are offered on technology that isn’t actually that new at all. While there are a lot of mobile apps out there that can be beneficial in the health sphere, many of the latest health services can be accessed with a quick phone call or online.

Keep in mind that none of these services are to be used in times of emergency! You will need to go to an urgent care or hospital in those situations.

Doctor by Phone (Telemedicine Services)

Did you see this coming? Simply give your doctor a call, discuss your medical problem, he’ll order you something you need and, voila, you’re on your feet again.

It’s a new service called telemedicine that is catching on quick. You can call a certified doctor at any time—day or night—with your medical needs and he’ll give you the answers you need. These doctors can resolve many of your medical problems over the phone, by email or through online video chat.

Here are some of the common ailments that can be diagnosed by phone:

Doctor Appointments

In-office doctors aren’t missing out on the latest technology either. Most doctors today have created a website for their office where you can see their services, their hours of operation, their address and their team. And with a few clicks, you can also book your appointment online.

Additionally, if you’re searching for a new doctor, you can search for them online. There are services that enable you to search for a new doctor in your area, see reviews about that doctor and then book your appointment with them.

Here are a few of these services:

• ZocDoc
• Patient Fusion
• iTriage

Informative and Helpful Health Websites

You may have already discovered these if you’ve stumbled across our blog, but there are a lot of informative and helpful health websites out there. Not only will they give you great health information, but they’ll answer your questions as well.

Here are some of the best:

• WebMD. WebMD is the largest source of medical information online. Searching for information on a condition or ailment, go to WebMD and find your answer.
• Everyday Health. A great website that provides consumers with advice and support, recipes and various health tips.
• HealthTap. This is also a great site to use for asking health-related questions and getting answers from certified physicians.
• Microsoft Health Vault. Microsoft Health Vault stores your health and fitness data from your different devices—computers, mobile apps, fitness gadgets, blood pressure monitors, etc.
• iTriage. This is a mobile app and a web application that allows you to interact and engage with its useful health information. It’s known for its free symptom checker. You can also use this app to locate a hospital closest to you and book an appointment.
• PatientsLikeMe. Looking for community? This is a great place to connect with others who share the same or similar genetic conditions and diseases. It’s a site that allows its members to communicate with one another about their condition to help others who may have the same problem.
• Caring.com. A great caregiver website. You can find helpful information about how to support your aging relatives and connect with others who are doing the same.

Mobile Apps

First, what is a mobile app? Think of a smartphone as a miniature computer. It’s a computer and a phone you can take with you wherever you go. A mobile app is like a program you have on your computer except it’s on the smartphone. You open it and it has special features that allow you to play on the program and make life easier, in a way.

There are now health mobile apps that you can use on your smartphone. You go to the app store by touching the blue icon that says App Store:

And then you can type in “Health App” into the search bar and it will show you the health apps out there:

If you know what app you’re looking for, like the mobile apps I’ve listed below, then you can just type the name of that app into the search bar instead of typing “Health Apps.”

When you have found the app you want, click on the button that says FREE in the top right-hand corner. Some of the apps cost money so they will give you the price instead of saying FREE.

If you need additional help, ask a loved one to guide you through the process.

There are a lot of health apps to choose from, but here are a few I selected for this post:

• Luminosity Brain Trainer (FREE). Are you looking to boost your memory and problem solving skills? This app contains 35 daily training sessions with 7 brain games that are designed to help your cognitive abilities like memory and problem solving.
• Well Being Plus (FREE). If you have trouble remembering your appointments and when to take your medicine, this app will be helpful for you. It’s a mobile scheduling reminder, reminding you when your appointments and lunch dates are. You can also set it up to remind you when to take your medicine, when to exercise and whatever else you may need to be reminded.
• MedWatcher (FREE). Similar to the previous app, MedWatcher allows you to follow up on medical treatment. It also connects you with an online community that can give you support and encouragement.
• Red Panic Button ($1.99). If you’re prone to injury or falls, this app could really help, especially if you live alone. By just tapping the red button, a text message and email is sent to a pre-selected list of medical contacts who can come help you.
• Blood Pressure Monitor ($4.99). This is a personal blood pressure and weight health monitor. You’ll be able to see how your blood pressure and weight has changed over time. It will also show you when you are at a bad level—either with your blood pressure or your weight.

Conclusion

I’ve given you a lot to think about, but hopefully this guide to the latest health technology will be helpful for you. Sometimes it can be hard to transition to something new, but at the same time it can be the most rewarding thing you do.

Tell us about your experience with health technology. What have you used that has helped you?