Explore how technology solutions for remote caregiving are transforming health outcomes and caregiver efficiency.
June 30, 2024
As our society ages and the need for care increases, remote caregiving has become a significant focus. The use of technology solutions for remote caregiving plays a vital role in managing this increasing demand and transforming the way care is provided.
According to NCBI, by 2020, approximately 120 million older Americans will need care at home. The majority of caregivers, about 45 million, will be unpaid and may need to care for more than one aging family member. The demand for caregiving is overwhelming, and traditional methods are not enough to meet this need.
Remote caregiving offers a solution to this challenge by facilitating access to care and support for the elderly and their caregivers, regardless of their physical location. This approach also enables caregivers to monitor the health and well-being of their loved ones, even when they can't be physically present. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to identify and implement effective technology solutions for remote caregiving.
The evolution of remote caregiving has been largely driven by advances in technology. From basic telecommunication tools to sophisticated digital platforms, technology has revolutionized the way care is provided. One of the most prevalent technology-enabled interventions for family caregivers is those that expedite access to information and improve communication.
Technological solutions for remote caregiving now include enhanced Internet of Things and technology platforms, as well as voice-enabled interfaces like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. Remote monitoring and telehealth, mobility and autonomous vehicles, assistive technologies, virtual/augmented/mixed reality, and financial technologies are also significant solutions [1].
However, technology doesn't replace the personal touch integral to effective caregiving. As Medsien outlines, the challenge is to leverage technological advances to boost efficiencies and effectiveness while preserving the essential personal touch for both patients and caregivers.
Companies like Medsien have developed unique software-staffing hybrid models that combine technology with personal connection, ensuring optimal patient care, engagement, and improved health outcomes. This approach distinguishes Medsien from competitors who rely solely on automated communication methods.
In summary, remote caregiving has evolved significantly over the years, thanks largely to the advancements in technology. While these technological solutions have brought numerous benefits, it's important to ensure that they are used in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, the human touch that is so essential to caregiving.
As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve, technology plays an increasingly prominent role in supporting remote caregiving. With a wide array of digital tools and telehealth services accessible today, caregivers can provide effective and efficient care to their patients, despite geographical and physical barriers.
Digital tools have revolutionized how caregivers provide services, enabling them to offer comprehensive care from a distance. From maintaining medical records and monitoring health stats to facilitating communication and connectivity, these tools offer a myriad of capabilities that enhance caregiving.
One such example of an innovative digital tool is offered by Medsien, which combines sophisticated software with a team of care partners. This unique software-staffing hybrid model allows for efficient, effective care management programs with personalized patient care. It ensures optimal patient care, engagement, and improved health outcomes, distinguishing its approach from competitors who rely solely on automated communication methods.
Telehealth has emerged as one of the most impactful technology solutions for remote caregiving. It encompasses various methods such as live videoconferencing virtual visits, case collaboration, training, and distance learning synchronously, as well as the store-and-forward approach using digital images and recorded health history asynchronously [3].
The adoption of telehealth has seen a dramatic increase in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. From March to October 2020, 68 million telehealth services were delivered, representing a 2,700 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019 [3].
Yet, while telehealth offers significant benefits, it also presents challenges in terms of privacy and security. Issues such as data security, limited access to the internet and technology, lack of digital devices, digital literacy, and poor quality of audio or video outcomes can hinder the effective use of such technology. To address these, best practices such as ensuring patient privacy, sharing secured information online, building privacy and security standards, and ensuring reimbursement for telehealth services through proper coding, documentation, and fraud prevention measures are recommended.
Despite these challenges, the potential of telehealth and digital tools in transforming remote caregiving is undeniable. By effectively harnessing these technologies, caregivers can provide better care for their patients, regardless of distance and location.
As we delve into the realm of technology solutions for remote caregiving, assistive devices stand out. These devices, often crafted with a specific purpose, aid in daily living and mobility, and communication and safety. They serve as a critical link between caregivers and care receivers, enabling efficient and effective remote caregiving.
Daily living devices are essential tools designed to help individuals complete activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care, enabling them to stay in their own homes for as long as possible [4].
Mobility devices, a subcategory of assistive devices, improve access to educational and professional opportunities, reduce healthcare costs, and allow individuals to remain physically active. These devices come in a plethora of forms, including ultra-lightweight options for sports participation, and positioning devices such as wedges, standing frames, cushions, splints, and corner chairs that aid individuals in maintaining good posture and reducing the risk of developing deformities and other health issues.
Effective communication is a critical aspect of caregiving. Modern communication aids like accessible mobile phones and speech-generating devices help older adults stay connected with loved ones and provide a means for those with speech impairments to communicate effectively, potentially reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation [5].
Safety is another paramount concern in remote caregiving. Various devices, like personal alarms, telecare systems, GPS trackers, and home safety and security gadgets, contribute to ensuring the safety and well-being of the elderly. Telecare systems utilize digital activity monitoring through sensors placed around the home to detect unusual activities, sending alerts to a monitoring team or designated contact in case of any irregularities. GPS trackers worn by seniors can help caregivers locate them if they are unreachable by phone or have been away from home for an extended period, offering a cost-effective solution for remote caregiving, especially for individuals with dementia prone to wandering.
Memory aids such as memo reminders and automatic pill dispensers assist the elderly in remembering important tasks like taking medication or feeding pets, thus reducing the stress associated with daily life responsibilities [5].
The integration of these assistive technology devices in remote caregiving is not only aiding caregivers in managing their responsibilities but also empowering the individuals under care to lead independent and fulfilling lives. As technology advances, more innovative and efficient devices are expected to emerge, further revolutionizing the landscape of remote caregiving.
Technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of remote caregiving. From improving caregiver efficiency to addressing health and safety concerns, technology solutions for remote caregiving are transforming the caregiving landscape.
One significant way technology enhances remote caregiving is by improving caregiver efficiency. Companies like Medsien are leading the way in this arena. Their unique software-staffing hybrid model combines sophisticated technology with a team of care partners to provide an efficient, effective care management program.
Medsien's care partners, comprised of registered nurses and certified medical assistants, use technology to monitor patient vitals and symptoms, facilitate regular patient check-ins, and coach patients on care. This approach not only improves efficiency but also cultivates a personal connection with patients, enhancing their comfort and support.
Moreover, digital health interventions can also support caregivers by improving their psychological health, self-efficacy, caregiving skills, quality of life, social support, and problem-coping abilities. These interventions utilize various digital health tools, such as telehealth, telemedicine, and mobile health (mHealth) applications, and have shown significant positive results in improving caregiver outcomes.
Technology also addresses health and safety concerns in remote caregiving. Tech tools such as the Caregiver Tech Tool Finder provide independent recommendations for caregiving apps, devices, and other technologies to help ease the burden of care [7].
There are a plethora of apps and technologies available to promote caregiver wellness, reduce anxiety and stress, and aid in meditation and sleep. Examples include Calm, Headspace, and Sanvello. These tools are especially valuable in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, where caregivers may struggle with increased stress and anxiety.
Moreover, technology solutions exist to help coordinate care among family members, friends, and caregivers. Family coordination apps can share health news, organize health information, and provide options for making to-do lists and understanding Medicare, among other features.
Finally, tech solutions for healthy aging include apps designed to improve mental acuity and focus, connect individuals to health information and communities, and manage specific health challenges. Apps like Lumosity and Elevate Brain Training are highlighted for their ability to improve mental acuity and focus.
By leveraging these technology solutions for remote caregiving, caregivers can ensure a higher level of care for their loved ones while also taking care of their own health and wellbeing. This balanced approach is essential for the sustainability and effectiveness of remote caregiving.
While technology has significantly improved the landscape of remote caregiving, various challenges persist. These include privacy and security issues and concerns related to access and usability.
Adopting technology solutions for remote caregiving can introduce privacy and security concerns. These issues span across environmental, technology, and operational factors [8].
Environmental factors include the lack of private space for vulnerable populations and the difficulty in sharing sensitive health information remotely. Technology factors encompass data security issues, limited access to the internet and technology, and the potential for poor audio or video outcomes [3]. Lastly, operational factors involve challenges in reimbursement for telehealth services, monitoring payer denials, and ensuring accessibility of telehealth technology while providing necessary training and education to staff and providers.
Access to and usability of assistive technology devices are also significant challenges. Many individuals face barriers when trying to obtain adaptive and assistive devices, including limited access to national assistive technology policy programs, poor private sector access, and high out-of-pocket costs due to the exclusion of assistive devices from healthcare plans [4].
Furthermore, technology solutions for remote caregiving face issues related to equity, inclusion, and access. There are also concerns about the lack of human-centric design and inherent economic and distribution channel difficulties. Regulatory factors may also affect interoperability and the lack of standards, contributing to the overall challenge.
While these challenges can pose significant hurdles, recognizing and addressing them is vital to advancing the field of remote caregiving and ensuring that everyone can benefit from these technological advancements.
The future holds immense possibilities for the use of technology in remote caregiving. As we look towards what's next, it's essential to consider the potential innovations that could revolutionize caregiving, as well as the research and development needs that will drive these advancements.
Advances in health-related technologies are becoming increasingly integrated into healthcare delivery. This integration necessitates a continued focus on patient experience and maintaining a personal touch in healthcare, despite the automation and cost-cutting measures that have replaced personal communication in certain instances.
By 2020, approximately 120 million older Americans will need care at home, the majority of which will be unpaid. With this in mind, a range of technology-based interventions is now available to support caregivers. These interventions are delivered through platforms such as mobile and cloud solutions, robotics, connected sensors, and advanced data analytics.
Innovative technology solutions for remote caregiving include enhanced Internet of Things and technology platforms, as well as voice-enabled interfaces like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. Remote monitoring and telehealth, mobility and autonomous vehicles, assistive technologies, virtual/augmented/mixed reality, and financial technologies are also significant solutions that can be harnessed.
While there is great potential for technology in remote caregiving, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. These include issues related to equity, inclusion, and access; ethical concerns related to privacy and security; political and regulatory factors affecting interoperability and lack of standards; inclusive/human-centric design and issues; and inherent economic and distribution channel difficulties [1].
Priority areas for caregiver technology research and development include addressing caregiver needs and use of technology, strengthening the moderators and mediators of technology adoption, and assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of technological solutions. It is also essential to understand the underlying mechanism of technology adoption and to test and strengthen the conceptual framework for technology-enabled caregiving.
By addressing these research and development needs, we can continue to innovate and improve technology solutions for remote caregiving, ensuring that these advancements truly benefit the caregivers and those they care for.
[1]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019659/
[2]: https://www.medsien.com/articles/dont-be-a-robot-adding-the-personal-touch-to-remote-care-technology
[3]: https://ahima-journal.prod.itswebs.com/page/solutions-for-challenges-in-telehealth-privacy-and-security
[4]: https://udservices.org/assistive-devices-disabilities/
[5]: https://www.agespace.org/tech/assistive-technology
[6]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10201006/
[7]: https://seniornavigator.org/article/74273/how-tech-tools-can-help-caregivers-during-pandemics-and-social-distancing
