Page 22 - SOUTH FLORIDA HOPSITAL NEWS JUNE 2021

ElderCare Update in South Florida...ElderCare Update in South Florida...ElderCare Update in South

Health Care for Seniors Is Enjoying a Technology Boom

The COVID-19 pandemic Funded by the U.S. phone options, and social connector pro- With VR, areas of the brain closed off
and the necessity to reach Federal Administration for grams. Some are also experimenting with by the disease are stimulated with senso-
isolated older adults, as well Community Living, in need-based benefits such as broadband ry experiences, evoking healthy physical
as the nation’s growing num- partnership with the support. movement during the interactive
ber of computer savvy sen- Jewish Federations of A growing number of companies also process. Psychological problems and
iors, has accelerated the use North America and the are spurring adoption of technology by mood disorders are reduced as residents
of technology in health care. Network of Jewish Human older adults. In late 2020 Instacart immerse themselves in the program,
Telemedicine in particular Service Agencies, the launched a phone service offering assis- enjoying vibrant 360-degree surround-
is on the rise since the study utilizes the interac- tance for seniors. After two calls, older ings, discovering new places or reminisc-
Centers for Medicare & tive video and audio capa- adults went on to buy 25% more fre- ing about their past.
Medicaid Services expanded bilities of the Uniper plat- quently than younger people. Amazon’s VR is easily customized to each
reimbursement for telemedi- form to help seniors ubiquitous AI home assistant Alexa is the patient’s passions and interests with an
cine services through the BY KEITH A. MYERS engage in face-to-face cornerstone of the company’s new Care extensive library of content and experi-
end of the public health calls with PACE staff, Hub that establishes connections ences, including interactive games, apps,
emergency by adding 144 nurses and doctors within between seniors and loved ones. In addi- and a family engagement platform.
telehealth services. According to the a HIPPA compliant framework. tion to indicating someone’s activities, Participants need only a viewing headset
CMS, preliminary data shows that Participants also have access to inter- the Care Hub also can create alerts and to take museum tours in foreign coun-
between mid-March and mid-October active content such as cooking, yoga and access Alexa Calling and other features. tries, attend bucket-list cultural events,
2020, over 24.5 million out of 63 million meditation as well as the ability to This new wave of connected technology fly across the globe, climb a mountain or
beneficiaries and enrollees received a engage with friends, family and other also promises to help millions. even visit the church or synagogue where
Medicare telemedicine service. community members. For example, more than 6 million they were married.
At MorseLife Health System, we are As part of its 2020 U.S. Health Care Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease and From wearable devices that monitor
building upon the new acceptance of Consumer Survey, Deloitte found a con- 11 million of their family and loved ones physical health to drugstore deliveries by
telehealth by older adults through a new, sensus among professionals at Medicare provide unpaid care. We recently drone, technology is changing health
two-year pilot program with the goal of Advantage plans and digital innovators launched a new three-dimensional virtu- care and offering us new ways to literari-
reducing isolation and depression while that MA plans will increasingly offer dig- al reality (VR) program which is showing ly connect with our patients.
improving well-being among veterans, itally enabled supplemental benefits such transformative benefits among those
Holocaust Survivors and other seniors as partnering with app-based transporta- with memory impairment who are living Keith A. Myers is president and CEO of
who have experienced significant life tion services, prescription and nutrition- at the Memory Care Residences at MorseLife Health System.
trauma. al support delivery using digital and MorseLife.

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22 June 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News