Is Telemedicine the Future of Healthcare for Seniors?
Is Telemedicine the Future of Healthcare for Seniors?
In this time and age of digitisation where everything you need is delivered in the comfort of your home, how can healthcare services be far behind? Online healthcare, more commonly known as Telemedicine has seen a lot of growth in recent years. It comes as a boon, especially at a time when the world is fighting a deadly pandemic and the country faces lockdown. Health ailments do not consider time and age, so you never really know when you may need doctor consultation.
The inconvenience of waiting in long queues for billing and then sitting for hours, just for a simple consultation with an experienced and a reputed doctor is always a pain. Furthermore, it is all the more physically taxing for the elderly in your family. What’s more, you come back with a hole in your pocket, paying unreasonable charges.
How Is Telemedicine Best for Seniors?
There’s no denying the fact that physical doctor consultation is the most suitable method in case of emergencies. Additionally, it’s also easier for young individuals to pay a visit, who usually don’t have to go to hospitals or clinics.
However, what about the elders and seniors in the family who are more prone to health concerns? How can they be taken care of without the regular hassle of visiting hospitals and the long waiting period?
The simple answer is ‘Telemedicine’. It enables you to avail common health-related services online by connecting the doctor with the person who needs medical advice via an Appointment Booking Software, that also functions as your Telemedicine Provider, Online.
The benefits of telemedicine include:
Telemedicine is home-based, and there’s nothing more complacent than getting treatment in the comfort of your home.
You don’t need to stand in never-ending queues to gain access to medicals.
You can easily avoid physical hospital visits that are unnecessary (even if it’s just for appointment booking), saving you a lot of time, travel costs and energy.
Medical costs are more reasonable and affordable in Telemedicine generally, and more so in Curable.
You can consult a skilled doctor from a remote place, especially when it’s difficult to physically reach a hospital just by downloading our Telemedicine Software – Curable.
You can enjoy the benefits of primary as well as follow-up consultation.
You can avoid catching another disease, which is generally a risk factor when you visit hospitals.
Elders in the family are considered a blessing. Their health and fitness is a prime concern not just for you but also for us at Curable. However, the fast-paced, busy lifestyle of individuals has made it challenging for them to take constant care of the elderly. Their regular medical check-ups and sudden flares of underlying illnesses make Telemedicine the best go-to for their medical needs, and a Telemedicine Platform like Curable makes sure you get the best treatment for your Healthcare needs. While most seniors are reluctant when considering telemedicine as an option, many aren’t aware of the benefits or are yet to try it.
How Curable Offers Telemedicine to Seniors?
We, at Curable, offer Telemedicine services that help you avoid physical doctor meetings. At Curable, you can take consultation for all age-related, common medical concerns via video chats right from the comfort of your home. A laptop or a smartphone with a smooth internet connection and an in-built camera is all you need.
You can also forget the hassle of reaching out to an experienced doctor at a far-off location. We are associated with a team of qualified and reputed doctors from well-known hospitals spread across India, who provide you with the best medical consultation but with much simpler steps.
You can choose a doctor or a hospital you like, or we can help you find a doctor depending on the symptoms you enter. You can also upload reports if you want to, book an appointment, make the payment and consult with your doctor instantly. Once your consultation is complete, you will receive a summary of the consultation with prescriptions if any. We also provide the facility of delivering the medicines prescribed by your doctor to your doorstep.
Well, no doubt the internet is flooded with scores of digital healthcare solution providers but what sets Curable apart is our belief in helping seniors lead a healthier, wholesome life by providing reliable medical advice with a personalised approach.
Telehealth in the time of Covid 19
Covid-19 has transformed the way we approach healthcare for the foreseeable future, hospitals are now rising to the occasion to meet the demand. Curable helps you set up a telemedicine platform for yourself and your hospital making you Telemedicine friendly with easy steps. Read on to know more!
Telemedicine platforms have been seeing a rapid rise in adoption and with the increased demand for Telehealth Care, Integrated Telehealth is now a critical path to safe, convenient, and affordable patient care!
With growing stress on medical systems around the globe Telehealth for Hospitals has been the perfect solution that eases the burden through online consultations and screenings. In addition to its booming requirement, the recent clarity on policies and guidelines from the government has opened doors to patients all over the country to seek professional medical care at their convenience.
The COVID-19 crisis has made employers, governments, and citizens around the world reconsider the existing structures of workplaces and industries, realizing the need for remote efficiency as well as quick access to emergency services. The digitization of medical service like Telemedicine Software has proven to be one such focus of change, now more than ever.
Both doctors and patients benefit from the implementation of telehealth services, the biggest win being convenience. Some of the other advantages are:
Adoption of telehealth consultations and practices look towards increased revenues, cost-effectiveness, and a reduction in redundancies.
It poses as a future-oriented business model that keeps both avenues open (in-clinic and online) for practice – Browse through all Telemedicine Providers and make Doctor Appointments online too! now easier than ever before with Curable.
Doctors can access a more evolved approach to patient engagement, with in-app follow-up options, notified updates on critical information, easy monitoring of the patient, along with the ability to access reports and essential information on the go. That’s why all hospitals are now striving to become a Telemedicine platform!
Telehealth caters for an expanded patient base as it cuts out travel time, and patients can access locations across the country.
Patients need not take the day off for consultations, making it convenient for them, in turn, resulting in minimal no-shows.
Both healthcare providers and patients can experience the efficiency of patient database storage, prioritization, and communication.
It provides better costs to patients, making healthcare more accessible and doctors from various specialities approachable.
Telehealth services enable a Work-From-Home approach for doctors.
Telehealth for Hospitals is now easy, accessible and affordable with Curable. Check out our website to know more about our amenities and partnerships.
Predicted in 2019 to cross the $32 million mark by 2020, telehealth in India is expected to continue to grow exponentially. Even MNC’s are realizing the benefits of easy-to-access healthcare and have tie-ups with telehealth platforms for their employees – a trend that expects more employers to jump on board in the wake of the global health crisis.
Countries like the USA and Canada have been adopting and developing their telehealth field for a while now. Around 84% of surveyed American healthcare executives felt the development of telehealth was important, and 67% of users felt an increase in satisfaction. A survey also found that around 75% of all doctors, urgent care, and ER visits are either unnecessary or could be handled safely and effectively over the phone or video.
With the perceived outlook from results observed in countries all over, telehealth in India is sure to see a systematic rise and adoption.
Curable offers patients to choose from a variety of doctors and hospitals under departments like Psychology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Cardiology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Gynaecology, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine. All it takes is a smartphone or computer to access the video consultation.
Appointments are made through a brief description of symptoms and uploading documents if applicable. The prescription and a summary are given on completion of the consultation. Curable’s telehealth platform also caters for medicines to be delivered and diagnostic tests to be performed at home at certain locations.
Seeing as most consultations take around 10 to 15 minutes on average, this leads to significant time savings by cutting down on travel, long queues, and delays.
Book your appointment now to begin consultations.
Click the links if you’re a Lab, Pharmacy, or Hospital/Clinic to register today.
Hormones, also known as the ‘chemical messengers’ are one of the most important chemical components of the human body. They are proteins secreted in a meagre concentration by the endocrine or the ductless glands that have defining roles in managing several physiological, metabolic and behavioural functions (digestion, metabolism, respiration, tissue function, sensory perception, sleep, exertion, lactation, stress induction, growth, development, movement, reproduction, mood manipulation and so on).
Varied hormones are secreted by several organs in the human body and their secretion is largely regulated, as an imbalance can have a cascade of debilitating physiological impairments. The role of hormones is all the more crucial in major events of growth and development such as in the attainment of puberty, child-birth and other metabolic events that take place throughout a person’s lifetime. Levels of hormones naturally fluctuate at various life stages, most noticeably during puberty and for women during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and the menopause. They can also be affected by lifestyle choices and certain medical conditions. It is important to be cautious of such fluctuations and to be aware of the effects to keep unwarranted side effects such as PCOS and PCOD at bay.
Hormones are also associated with several prevalent diseases and deficiencies, found specifically in men, women, young adults and infants. Imbalance of specific hormones can lead to diseases such as diabetes, irregular menstruation, infertility (men & women), metabolic disorders, thyroid conditions and so on. Hormonal imbalances are a major cause for a host of symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, itchy skin and mood swings.
However, there are some common telling symptoms of majorly found hormonal imbalances that can be easily spotted and worked upon…
1. Persistent insomnia: Melatonin is a hormone, produced by the pineal gland that is known to keep an individual’s circadian cycle under check, its production alternates throughout the day and ramps up at nights, helping you fall asleep. A common reason for insomnia is lack of Melatonin. Melatonin rich foods like milk can help in boosting melatonin levels naturally. Insomnia is one of the most stereotyped disorders. Self-care and over the counter medicines for this medical condition often leads to complications than being helpful. A patient suffering from Insomnia must get professional help.
In the current COVID-19 era, a lot of children and even adults suffer from insomnia, which could be a potential cause of excessive use of technology or stress. Make a doctor appointment online with Curable to understand the cause of your discomfort. Our online appointment booking helps you make video consultation from home, with extreme ease!
2. Unexplained weight gain: This can largely be indicative of a deficiency of thyroid hormone, thyroxine, Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome or menopause are the leading causes for infertility in early adults. Thyroid and PCOD/PCOS, like many other hormonal disorders, have effective results when consulted at early stages. Government is currently focusing on making remote consultation and rural healthcare telemedicine friendly.
3. Skin problems: Chronic acne could be indicative for lower levels of estrogen and progesterone in women. High levels of androgens could also indicate polycystic ovary syndrome. Ignored symptoms like itchy, pale or dry skin could be indicative of menopause or thyroid problems. Figuring out the cause for your symptoms is key, and only professional consultations can help you in the right direction.
4. Fertility issues: High levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and lower levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Progesterone also plays a vital role in maintaining pregnancy, deficient production of which can lead to termination of pregnancy.
5. Weak bones: Falling levels of estrogen during perimenopause/menopause and lowered levels of pituitary hormone secretion could be the major cause of lowering bone density in women. The symptoms for the above case scenario is tiredness, body pain and slower digestion – commonly mistaken for ageing. But what if you could make it easier for your body to help you to age? With the optimal vitamin supplements, it is possible. Our doctors make sure to take laboratory tests to analyse your blood levels before making prescriptions.
6. Mood swings: Serotonin is known as the happy chemical, it plays a pivotal role in regulating mood, and lowering serotonin levels is associated with questionable mental health status. Serotonin also helps in regulating appetite and digestion, bone health, sleep cycle and sex.
Ways to manage hormone balance in the body…
Endocrine glands produce precise amounts of required hormones as per need for your daily bodily functions. However, hormonal imbalances occur with ageing and sometimes with unhealthy lifestyle choices. It is essential to identify the symptoms and the underlying deficiencies and replenish them with dietary intake and optimal medication. Some easy to boost your hormonal health are
It is very important to understand that hormone production and action in the body works with a feedback mechanism where an imbalance of one can lead to derangement of several other hormones, leading to serious diseases. Hormone-related diseases like thyroxine deficiency and diabetes mellitus are on an incline amongst the population across the globe. It is also to be understood that a lot of these serious and often debilitating diseases can be avoided and managed by adapting to healthy lifestyle choices.
Boost your Immunity with these 6 Easy Tips
The immune system in your body is a network of cells and proteins that play a pivotal role in your health and wellness. This system protects you from illness-causing microorganisms.
Even a common cold is the result of a virus or a microbe in general that has invaded your body and made you sick. To treat the cold, your healthcare specialist might prescribe over the counter drugs. But with an excellent immune system, your tendency to fall sick reduces drastically.
So, how can you boost your immunity?
How to Boost Immunity Naturally
The condition of your immune system can predict how often you may fall sick. The best way for you to avoid illness and allopathy medicines is to ensure that your immunity is high.
Here are a few ways to build up your immunity.
Healthy Diet
Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and leads to persistent illnesses. You need to ensure that you include vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin E in your diet for optimum health.
The best source for vitamin C is citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, strawberries, spinach, and broccoli. Vitamin B6 can be found in poultry, fish, and green leafy vegetables. Nuts like almonds, cashews, and others are a good source of vitamin E.
In addition to these natural sources, supplements available in the market can also fortify your immunity. But taking vitamin supplements without doctor consultation can be problematic, that’s why you should make an Online Appointment with your doctor before attempting a vitamin regime on your own.
Proper Fitness
Your immune system needs to be ready to fight any infections that could harm the body. As such, along with a proper diet, you need to pay attention to the fitness of your body.
Too much exercise might suppress the immune system, and too little can also bring harm. The optimal fitness for an average human can be achieved with a daily workout for 30 minutes that includes light and heavy aerobic exercises.
Before doing any kind of intense physical activity, a healthcare provider should be approached for proper guidance. With the current pandemic in mind make an appointment via a Telemedicine Software or a Telemedicine Provider and set up an Online Appointment.
Discourage Unhealthy Habits
Alcohol, smoking, and non-prescription drugs are known to have detrimental effects on the body. Constant use of these harmful elements compromises the immune system and makes one subject to constant illness.
In the case of drugs, even short-term use can cause wellness issues for the body and mind. Support groups and therapy can help you discourage the habit, and nicotine patches and chewing gum may be effective in reducing physical urges. But for a more extensive care reach out to your closest clinic with an Online Clinic Management Software, so you can avail help by Scheduling Online Doctor Appointments with ease, from your home.
General Cleanliness
A universally followed rule is washing your hands before and after every meal. Eating food with unclean hands could potentially cause any dirt and germs to enter the body and cause problems with your immunity.
Even when you are not handling food and drinks, one of the best ways to maintain the integrity of your immune system is to practice general cleanliness in and around you. Social distancing has also become an extensive part of general hygiene and cleanliness now, avoid venturing into hospitals as they can be a COVID-19 hotspot, make Online Doctor Appointments and Remote Consultation your new routine to stay safe.
Reduce Stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of compromised immunity. The stress hormone, cortisol, is released when you are under stress. Long-term stress leads to high levels of cortisol, which can harm your immunity rather than protect it.
The consequences of elevated cortisol levels range from chronic headaches and stomach issues to heart diseases and obesity. Stress is not the same for everyone – it is an individual problem that should be managed with lifestyle changes and, in extreme situations, prescription drugs.
Ensure Proper Hydration
You should not deny the good effects of water on your health and immunity. Dehydration is caused by inadequate consumption of water. As there is no replenishment for the loss of fluids, this reduces the water content in the body, including the immune system.
For an average human, proper hydration involves drinking at least 2.5 liters of water every day.
Key Takeaway
With the current global scenario surrounding the pandemic, it is of utmost importance that each and every one takes care to holistically boost their immunity. These six wellness tips not only strengthen your immune system against viruses and infections but also maintain your overall health and fitness.
Telemedicine platforms have shown great promise from the time of its inception. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic is playing a significant role in encouraging telemedicine providers to up-scale and use their platforms to reach the masses. It is proving to be all the more pertinent to a country like India, where the doctor-patient ratio has been a major cause of worry in the healthcare sector.
According to a report released by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), telemedicine software has the potential to replace 30 to 40 percent of in-person outpatient consultations. This means that India could save up to $10 billion by implementing Electronic Medical Records system and Online Health Records management into its healthcare practice. With a Clinic Management Software, even isolated clinics can avail quality Rural Healthcare services to their visiting and non-visiting patients.
Telehealth care and Remote Healthcare services have gained a lot of traction in the recent past in India as people have begun to embrace this form of medical advice delivery. This has specially been potentiated in the urban and suburban areas of India where access to data and smartphones has become more affordable. Here’s a peek at how the internet, technology, and the medical field are connecting the dots to revolutionize the sectors of healthcare and wellness.
Geography is No Barrier
Telemedicine cuts through several barriers posed by geographical limitations. It creates access for those located in remote geographies, where there are a limited number of hospitals, clinics, and doctors. It also dramatically decreases travel time and cost in crowded cities. TeleHealth care providers in association with hospitals can work wonders to leverage the alleviation of such barriers. Integrated teleHealth platforms like Curable have various advanced features like the Appointment Booking Software, Clinic Management, Electronic Medical Records, Practise Management and so on that cater to patients as well as to doctors and health infrastructure to seamlessly take medicine online.
Bringing in More Efficiency
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that India has only one government doctor for every 1,139 people. The ratio recommended by WHO is 1:1,000. There is also a massive shortage of nurses and hospital beds.
It has also been found that common health ailments like fever, cough, cold, sore throat, and body ache, comprise around 40 to 50% of patient issues. These are the ailments that can easily been consulted online. Thus, telemedicine consultations reduce overall stress on the healthcare systems that are already understaffed and creates more bandwidth for medical professionals, especially in public hospitals, to focus on cases where physical consultations are more critical.
Access Specialists from Anywhere
Telemedicine has opened the doors for patients who need access to medical advice by specialists and super specialists located outside of their cities, states, and even countries.
It is not always possible for patients to travel distances due to monetary issues, health conditions, or other constraints. This is also true for patients in rural areas where the rural healthcare system is severely compromised. Telemedicine is thus, an effective alternative for such patients alongside others who need post-surgery care and reside far from the hospital.
Creating Access for Senior Citizens
As the life expectancy of senior citizens is on the rise, there’s a growing demand for accessible medical care for elders. By leveraging telemedicine, senior citizens can access medical advice on time from the comforts of their homes. This option is especially useful for elders residing alone, both for emergencies as well as common illnesses like a chronic cough.
Care for People with Disabilities
Most hospitals in India, even today, are inaccessible for people with mobility issues, hearing, visual disabilities, as well as other difficulties. Technology can help in bridging the gap, as telemedicine enables online appointment and video consultations. This presents a major opportunity for India’s underserved population of people with disabilities to get timely access to quality medical advice and services.
Reducing Social Stigmas
Certain healthcare segments like mental, menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health are associated with social stigmas that often discourage and prevent patients from seeking help. This leads to negligence towards one’s own health, proving to be detrimental in the long run.
Statistics indicate that telemedicine platforms can bridge these gaps and enable more people to seek consultations from psychiatrists, gynaecologists, and other stigmatized health areas.
Advantage with Recurring Visits
Certain types of lifestyle conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperthyroidism require patients to be constantly in touch with their doctors. Telemedicine brings in convenience and flexibility to the experience, especially when patients are dependent on caregivers to accompany them to the doctors. Online patient portal and online health records can be of enormous help for the patients and doctors to keep track of their treatment progress.
Convenience for Caregivers
Many caregivers have regular work shifts, which means they must arrange for doctor visits on weekends, or take leave to facilitate a visit. Telemedicine solves such issues and offers caregivers an opportunity to arrange consultations in a flexible, timely manner.
Parting Thoughts
While telemedicine cannot replace the practice of physical consultations, it reduces the burden on our already strained medical care systems, paving the way for a more accessible alternative, enabled by technology.
Telemedicine is emerging as the new normal and a healthcare trend that is likely to stay in a post-pandemic world.