As our society grays, the pressure on healthcare systems intensifies. Older adults represent a growing demographic with complex medical needs and unique challenges. Their care often requires not just more resources but a fundamentally different approach—one that respects their physical, cognitive, and social realities.
Modern healthcare, increasingly driven by digital platforms and telemedicine, promises efficiency and convenience. However, for elderly patients, these innovations can become new barriers. Navigating digital systems, interpreting medical information, and advocating for oneself becomes formidable tasks, especially when coupled with declining health or limited support.
This article explores how elder care must evolve alongside healthcare’s digital transformation. We’ll examine systemic shortcomings, highlight model programs like Kaiser Permanente, and propose strategies that empower both seniors and caregivers. The goal is to ensure that every elderly individual receives not only appropriate medical treatment but also the dignity and advocacy they deserve.
(Note: About Us, a reference bibliography, related books, and videos can be found at the end of this article.)
Article Highlights
- Elderly care must be intentionally tailored to account for physical, cognitive, emotional, and technological challenges, not just increased volume of care.
- Telemedicine expands access but often excludes seniors due to usability issues, digital illiteracy, and lack of real-time tech support.
- Cognitive decline and mental health issues such as depression or anxiety impair self-advocacy, leading to missed appointments and unmanaged conditions.
- Ageism and systemic bias result in elderly patients being dismissed or overlooked, especially women and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Kaiser Permanente’s integrated model showcases the benefits of digital coordination but illustrates how tech dependence can alienate vulnerable seniors.
- Rural models like New Mexico’s CHW program and international strategies like Japan’s integrated community care offer scalable solutions rooted in empathy and accessibility.
- Caregivers play a critical role in bridging communication gaps, interpreting instructions, and reinforcing follow-through on treatment plans.
- Temporary healthcare directives can empower advocates to act during emergencies when elderly patients are incapacitated or confused.
- Geriatric training for healthcare professionals is essential and should be mandatory across all levels of clinical care and telehealth services.
- Mental health care must be integrated into primary care routines to identify silent barriers to advocacy and engagement.
- Community organizations and faith groups can fill critical gaps—offering transportation, tech training, and advocacy support tailored to local needs.
- Policy reforms should include Medicare/Medicaid expansions, caregiver support funding, and mandates for digital accessibility in healthcare platforms.
- Checklists and simplified tools help elderly patients and families prepare for telehealth visits, manage medications, and engage in care decisions effectively.
- Healthcare systems must adopt hybrid models, blending in-person and virtual visits to ensure elderly patients receive both access and personal connection.
- We must design systems with aging in mind—not as an afterthought. Advocacy, empathy, and inclusion are the cornerstones of age-friendly healthcare.
Understanding the Complexity of Elderly Health Needs
Elderly patients face a distinct constellation of medical challenges that set them apart from younger populations. These include chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and dementia, often in combination. Beyond the diseases themselves, older adults deal with natural declines in mobility, memory, and sensory function, which further complicate their care.
Multifactorial Challenges: More Than Just Physical Health
Healthcare for older adults must address not just the body but also the mind and environment. Emotional well-being, cognitive function, and cultural background deeply influence how they experience illness—and how they seek or avoid care.
For example, many elderly patients experience subclinical depression or anxiety that may not be diagnosed but still impacts their ability to manage medications or follow up on care. Studies suggest that up to 20% of adults aged 60 and older meet criteria for a mental health disorder, yet many go untreated due to stigma or system barriers.
Denial and Fear: The Silent Barriers
Some older adults avoid discussing health problems out of fear—fear of losing independence, of becoming a burden, or of being institutionalized. Cultural expectations also play a role. In many families, older generations were raised to defer to doctors without question. When the healthcare system shifts to expecting patients to self-manage and self-advocate, these individuals can feel lost or abandoned.
Consider Maria, a 78-year-old woman with diabetes and early-stage dementia. She routinely misses appointments and forgets to refill prescriptions—not out of negligence, but because she’s overwhelmed, isolated, and ashamed to ask for help.
Cognitive Decline and Communication Gaps
Even mild cognitive impairment can make it hard to understand complex medical instructions or remember critical follow-ups. This issue is compounded when providers use fast, jargon-heavy language or digital portals that aren’t designed with the elderly in mind.
Generational Trust and Systemic Shift
Historically, medicine followed a more paternalistic model—doctors made decisions, patients followed orders. Today, patients are expected to be informed consumers of care. For elderly patients raised with different expectations, this shift creates confusion. They may not realize it’s acceptable, or even necessary, to question providers, request second opinions, or say “I don’t understand.”
Consequences of Inadequate Communication
The cumulative result of these factors—psychological, cognitive, systemic—is profound. Missed diagnoses, unmanaged conditions, and unnecessary hospitalizations are common outcomes. Worse still, elderly patients often blame themselves for poor outcomes, reinforcing a cycle of silence and disengagement.
A Call for Holistic and Inclusive Care
To meet the healthcare needs of older adults, we must think beyond diagnoses and procedures. We must design care models that accommodate cognitive changes, respect cultural values, and simplify communication. Healthcare systems should integrate social work, mental health, and community-based resources as part of routine elder care.
Only by dismantling these invisible barriers can we provide care that is not just effective, but humane.
Why Elderly Self-Advocacy Often Falls Short—and What We Can Do About It
The Critical Role of Self-Advocacy
In today’s complex healthcare system, self-advocacy is more than a skill—it’s a lifeline. The ability to speak up, ask questions, and make informed decisions can significantly impact health outcomes. But for elderly individuals, this ideal often collides with harsh realities.
Cognitive and Technological Hurdles
Aging often brings cognitive changes that make self-advocacy harder. Conditions like mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia can cloud judgment, disrupt memory, and complicate communication. This affects everything from medication management to understanding risks and benefits during medical consultations.
Technology compounds the problem. While telemedicine and online health portals have expanded access, they also assume a level of digital literacy that many elderly patients lack. A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that only 26% of adults over age 75 use smartphones daily—and far fewer are comfortable navigating telehealth platforms.
Example:
Bob, 84, has high blood pressure and heart failure. When his clinic shifted to online-only appointments during COVID-19, he missed three virtual visits because he couldn’t navigate the login process. His condition worsened before his daughter intervened.
Ageism and Systemic Bias
Elderly patients often confront implicit and explicit ageism. Symptoms are dismissed as “just old age,” or providers speak to adult children rather than the patient, even when the elder is competent.
Example:
Ruth, 79, went to the ER with chest pain. The staff spoke over her to her 40-year-old son. Only after he insisted did the team begin addressing her directly—an act of both advocacy and protest.
Cultural and Gender Dynamics
In many cultures, deference to authority and reluctance to express personal needs are common, especially among older women. Many were raised to be accommodating, not assertive. This can lead to underreporting symptoms or declining help even when it’s needed.
Language barriers are another challenge. For elderly immigrants or non-English speakers, navigating the healthcare system without interpreters or culturally competent providers can result in misdiagnosis, non-compliance, and unnecessary suffering.
The Mental Health Factor
Depression and anxiety are often underdiagnosed in older adults—and these conditions can dampen the motivation or clarity needed for effective self-advocacy. Add to this the isolation many feel, particularly when living alone or far from family, and the result is silence when speech is most needed.
What Happens in Emergencies?
In urgent situations—like strokes, falls, or confusion from infection—elderly patients may be unable to advocate at all. Without pre-existing directives or involved family, healthcare providers must guess at best interests, sometimes defaulting to less aggressive care or interventions that may not align with the patient’s wishes.
Bridging the Advocacy Gap: Roles and Responsibilities
Caregivers and healthcare professionals are crucial allies. Their job is not just to provide care, but to empower elders to participate in it. This requires patience, respect, and adaptability.
They must:
- Listen attentively and validate concerns
- Use plain, clear language
- Provide written instructions and visual aids
- Offer help with digital tools and telehealth platforms
- Involve family or advocates with the patient’s consent
Toward Empowerment: Strategies That Work
- Community-Based Education – Workshops, webinars, and printed guides tailored for elderly patients can teach how to prepare for appointments, ask questions, and understand medical information.
- Technology Training – Libraries, community centers, and nonprofits can offer basic digital literacy training focused on healthcare use cases.
- Culturally Competent Care – Health systems must recruit and train multilingual, culturally sensitive staff to bridge communication gaps.
- Mental Health Support – Incorporate depression screening and counseling into routine elder care. Advocacy begins with mental clarity and emotional support.
- Legal Tools for Advocacy – Encourage families to establish healthcare proxies and temporary healthcare directives to activate in times of crisis.
- Peer Support Networks – Create forums where older adults can share experiences and strategies, normalizing advocacy as a communal strength rather than a solo struggle.
How Telemedicine and Digital Health Are Changing Elder Care
A Promising Shift—with Real Risks
Telemedicine is revolutionizing healthcare access, especially for populations with mobility or geographic barriers. For older adults, virtual visits can eliminate the burden of traveling to clinics and waiting in crowded rooms. Yet, this shift also introduces serious gaps—technological, emotional, and clinical—that can undermine care if not addressed deliberately.
Increased Access, But Not for Everyone
On the surface, telehealth expands reach. A Medicare analysis from 2023 reported a 30% increase in telemedicine use among patients aged 65+ compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, disparities persist. The same study showed that older patients in rural or low-income areas were significantly less likely to use video consultations, often due to unreliable internet or lack of digital literacy.
Technology Barriers: The New Gatekeepers
Most telehealth platforms are designed with younger users in mind—fast-loading interfaces, dropdown menus, and small-font instructions. This excludes many elderly users who may have vision or motor difficulties or who struggle with navigating unfamiliar software.
Example:
Helen, 81, accidentally logged into her husband’s patient portal and updated his medication list with her own. The error wasn’t discovered until a pharmacist flagged it weeks later—after he missed critical doses.
The Emotional Cost of Virtual Care
Older patients often prioritize relationships and continuity over speed. A video visit can feel impersonal, rushed, or even confusing. Without physical presence, body language cues are missed, and patients may be less likely to disclose symptoms or ask clarifying questions.
Loneliness is another risk. For many elders, in-person medical visits serve as one of their few social interactions. Replacing this with digital check-ins can intensify isolation.
What Gets Missed Virtually?
Subtle symptoms—like changes in gait, posture, facial expressions, or even hygiene—can offer critical diagnostic clues. In-person visits provide the context that telemedicine struggles to replicate. In a 2022 Journal of Geriatric Care survey, 44% of clinicians reported missing at least one key non-verbal cue during a remote consult that would have changed their clinical decision-making.
Emergency Preparedness and Remote Limitations
In acute scenarios like chest pain, stroke symptoms, or sudden confusion, the delays or limitations of telemedicine can be dangerous. Elderly patients may not describe symptoms accurately or may downplay serious issues, leading providers to underestimate urgency.
Cost Isn’t Always Transparent
Telemedicine is often marketed as cost-saving, but hidden costs add up—devices, internet subscriptions, platform fees, and copays. Some Medicare Advantage plans charge more for virtual behavioral health visits, disproportionately affecting elderly patients managing chronic mental health conditions.
Hybrid Care: The Way Forward
Rather than replacing in-person care, telemedicine should complement it. A blended model—offering digital follow-ups for stable patients and in-person visits for complex or high-risk cases—may offer the best of both worlds.
Recommendations for Elder-Centric Telemedicine:
- Simplify user interfaces: Large fonts, clear instructions, and guided navigation
- Offer real-time tech support: Especially during scheduled visits
- Design with hearing and vision impairment in mind: Include subtitles and audio enhancements
- Train providers in virtual bedside manner: How to build trust, verify understanding, and spot red flags remotely
- Establish fallback options: Quick escalation pathways to in-person or emergency care if needed
Case Study: Kaiser Permanente and the Promise—and Pitfalls—of Integrated Elder Care
Kaiser Permanente: A Digital Leader in Healthcare Integration
Kaiser Permanente is often hailed as a model for coordinated care. With its unified system that combines insurance, electronic medical records, and clinical services, Kaiser exemplifies how health systems can streamline operations and improve preventive care. For elderly patients, this can mean faster referrals, fewer redundant tests, and better management of chronic conditions.
How It Works in Theory
Kaiser uses electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth platforms to provide centralized access to care. Their “Thrive” initiative emphasizes prevention, regular checkups, and patient empowerment—ideals that align well with the needs of aging adults who require continuous monitoring and coordinated specialist care.
Real Benefits for Older Adults
- Streamlined Communication: Providers can access a patient’s complete history instantly, reducing errors and improving continuity.
- Preventive Focus: Regular screenings and follow-ups help detect issues early—critical for seniors with complex health profiles.
- Reduced Travel Burden: Telehealth options cut down on the physical and logistical challenges of traveling to appointments.
Where the Model Falls Short
Despite its strengths, Kaiser’s system is not without flaws—particularly for elderly patients unfamiliar with digital systems or struggling with cognitive decline.
Example:
Paul, 76, was hospitalized after a fall. His daughter tried to coordinate post-discharge care using Kaiser’s online portal, but found it nearly impossible to get live assistance. The family eventually went to an urgent care center outside of Kaiser’s network to address a missed medication refill.
Digital Dependency and the Risk of Exclusion
Kaiser’s model assumes a baseline tech literacy that many seniors don’t have. While tech-savvy patients may thrive, those without digital access or with disabilities may be sidelined. This creates a two-tiered experience: seamless for the digitally fluent, fragmented for everyone else.
Limited Personalization in a Streamlined System
The efficiency of Kaiser’s system can feel impersonal. Seniors who value face-to-face interactions or have nuanced care needs may feel like they’re being processed rather than cared for. Standardized workflows can overlook individual preferences, especially if the patient is not assertive or well-supported.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Offer “Digital Navigator” roles: Staff who assist elderly patients with portals, devices, and appointment setups
- Reintegrate human touch: Combine telehealth with in-person care coordinators for high-risk elderly members
- Personalized Care Flags: EHRs should include social and cognitive alerts to adapt communication and care strategies
- Accessible Emergency Lines: Ensure rapid-response, non-digital channels for urgent needs or confusion
Takeaway
Kaiser shows how integrated systems can revolutionize care—but also how they must evolve to avoid leaving vulnerable populations behind. For elderly patients, the promise of digital efficiency must be balanced with flexibility, human connection, and advocacy.
A Roadmap for Age-Friendly Healthcare
Designing a System That Works for the Oldest and Most Vulnerable
Healthcare systems often treat aging as an afterthought—an “add-on” rather than a design principle. Yet older adults are among the most frequent users of healthcare services. What follows is a set of actionable strategies and structural reforms aimed at creating a system where elderly patients are not just included, but prioritized.
For Healthcare Providers and Systems
1. Invest in Geriatric Training Across All Levels
Every frontline provider—from nurses to specialists—should receive training in geriatric care. This includes how to recognize cognitive changes, manage polypharmacy, and communicate effectively with aging patients. Telehealth training should be adapted to account for hearing loss, vision impairment, and slower processing speeds.
2. Build “Age-Responsive” Technology Platforms
Design telemedicine tools with seniors in mind: large fonts, simplified interfaces, clear audio, and voice-guided options. Make help readily accessible during virtual appointments—not after the fact.
3. Create Elder Advocacy Programs
Deploy trained elder care advocates who assist with navigating insurance, appointment scheduling, medication management, and follow-up. Ideally, this would include both digital and in-person support options.
4. Integrate Mental Health into Primary Care
Regular depression screening, cognitive assessments, and accessible therapy should be embedded in routine care. Normalize mental wellness as a vital part of aging with dignity.
Policy-Level Recommendations
1. Expand Medicare and Medicaid to Cover Telehealth and In-Home Care
Coverage should include tech support services, caregiver training, and flexible care delivery—especially for housebound or rural seniors.
2. Fund Caregiver Support Systems
Create tax credits, respite programs, and training initiatives for family caregivers. Recognize them not as volunteers, but as extensions of the medical workforce.
3. Mandate Accessibility Standards for Health Platforms
Enforce usability guidelines for all digital health tools, just as we do for physical buildings. Access to care must include access to the technology that delivers it.
Tools for Patients and Families
1. Checklists for Preparedness
- Before a Telehealth Visit:
- Write down symptoms, medications, and questions
- Test the device and internet connection
- Have a support person nearby if needed
- At the Doctor’s Office:
- Bring a medication list
- Ask for written instructions
- Request a summary of the visit
- Family Advocacy Steps:
- Know your loved one’s medical history
- Set up shared access to patient portals
- Ask to be included in care planning meetings
Community Partnerships and Grassroots Solutions
1. Leverage Churches, Libraries, and Non-Profits
These organizations can offer transportation, appointment accompaniment, legal guidance for directives, and digital training tailored for seniors.
2. Promote Peer Advocacy Networks
Create safe spaces for older adults to share experiences and advocate for one another—both online and in person.
3. Emergency-Ready Protocols
Implement “temporary healthcare directives” that allow advocates to act decisively in urgent situations when the patient is incapacitated. These should be easily accessible to ER and EMS teams.
Case Study Addendum: Contrasting Approaches to Elder Advocacy in Practice
1. Rural Model: The Community Health Worker Program in New Mexico
In rural areas where healthcare access is limited, New Mexico’s Community Health Worker (CHW) initiative offers a scalable model for elder advocacy. Trained laypersons, often from the same local communities, serve as liaisons between elderly patients and healthcare systems. They help with transportation, appointment scheduling, medication adherence, and even food security.
Key Strengths:
- Culturally competent and language-matched advocates
- Built-in trust from shared community backgrounds
- Low-cost, high-impact model scalable to other rural regions
Challenges:
- CHWs are often underfunded and overextended
- Difficult to integrate fully with hospital-based systems without formal recognition or credentialing
Example:
Lucía, 80, living on a reservation two hours from the nearest hospital, was routinely missing appointments. After being paired with a CHW who spoke her language and visited weekly, her diabetes control improved, and her emergency room visits dropped by half in six months.
2. International Success: Japan’s “Integrated Community Care System”
With one of the world’s oldest populations, Japan has implemented a nationwide elder care strategy focused on “aging in place.“ Local governments coordinate health, housing, transportation, and social support through a single network.
Key Features:
- Publicly funded home visits by nurses and social workers
- City-run community hubs for elder engagement
- Medical records are unified across care providers, including pharmacies and social services
Outcomes:
- Reduced hospitalization rates for elderly adults
- Higher patient satisfaction with end-of-life care
- Stronger family involvement due to community education programs
Lesson for Other Countries:
- Aging should be viewed not as a healthcare issue alone but as a societal priority requiring intersectoral collaboration.
Conclusion: Aging with Dignity Requires Action, Not Just Innovation
The promise of modern healthcare—telemedicine, integrated systems, and data-driven decision-making—is real. But without intentional design for the elderly, these advances risk becoming just another barrier.
This article has unpacked how digital transformation, systemic bias, and underdeveloped advocacy structures have combined to leave many older adults vulnerable. We’ve examined Kaiser Permanente’s strengths and gaps, rural and international models, and proposed practical, scalable solutions. The path forward is clear: elder care must be designed around the realities of aging—not retrofitted into systems built for the young and tech-savvy.
What You Can Do Today
If you’re a healthcare provider:
- Advocate for geriatric training in your workplace
- Include cognitive and emotional screening in routine care
- Slow down. Listen. Adapt communication to your patient, not the clock
If you’re a family member or caregiver:
- Learn how to navigate patient portals and share access
- Help prepare for appointments—virtually or in person
- Use temporary healthcare directives to safeguard autonomy during emergencies
If you’re a policymaker or administrator:
- Fund and scale elder-focused advocacy programs
- Mandate accessibility standards for all telehealth platforms
- Support legislation that empowers caregivers and expands in-home care services
If you’re part of a community group, nonprofit, or church:
- Host elder tech literacy classes
- Offer transportation and care navigation assistance
- Partner with healthcare systems to provide real-world advocacy bridges
Organizations Worth Supporting or Collaborating With:
- National Council on Aging (NCOA): Advocacy and resource tools
- Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging): Local service finder
- Family Caregiver Alliance: Tools and training for caregiver advocacy
- Health in Aging Foundation (AGS): Geriatric care guidelines and provider resources
- Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (for international models)
Final Thought: We Age Together
The health system we build for the elderly today is the one we inherit tomorrow. Creating age-friendly care isn’t just about the elderly—it’s about respecting the arc of every human life. By advocating now, we ensure a future where everyone, at every stage, is seen, heard, and cared for with dignity.
Disclaimer: As a Senior Health Advocacy Journalist, I strive to conduct thorough research and bring complex topics to the forefront of public awareness. However, I am not a licensed legal, medical, or financial professional. Therefore, it is important to seek advice from qualified professionals before making any significant decisions based on the information I provide.
Copyright: All text © 2025 James M. Sims and all images exclusive rights belong to James M. Sims and Midjourney unless otherwise noted.
References
Related Cielito Lindo Articles
Sims, J. M. (2024, February 20). Empowering seniors: AI tools for effective healthcare advocacy. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/empowering-seniors-ai-tools-for-effective-healthcare-advocacy/
Sims, J. M. (2024, January 18). Ensuring quality care: The crucial role of self-advocacy in a flawed healthcare system. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/ensuring-quality-care-the-crucial-role-of-self-advocacy-in-a-flawed-healthcare-system/
Sims, J. M. (2023, December 15). Health care inequalities for our elderly. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/health-care-inequalities-for-our-elderly/
Sims, J. M. (2023, November 22). Telemedicine and the elderly: Overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://www.cielitolindoseniorliving.com/blog/telemedicine-and-the-elderly
Sims, J. M. (2023, October 5). Precision medicine: A more effective approach for comorbidities and polypharmacology for the elderly. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/precision-medicine-a-more-effective-approach-for-comorbidities-and-polypharmacology-for-the-elderly/
Sims, J. M. (2023, September 22). Embracing control: How 12 risk factors shape our health and longevity. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://cielitolindoseniorliving.com/embracing-control-how-12-risk-factors-shape-our-health-and-longevity/
Sims, J. M. (2022, October 15). Empowering the elderly in the digital healthcare age. Cielito Lindo Senior Living. https://www.cielitolindoseniorliving.com/blog/empowering-elderly-digital-healthcare
Articles and Guides
Band-Winterstein, T. (2015). Health care provision for older persons: The interplay between ageism and elder neglect. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 34(3), NP144–NP160. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464813494928
Chopik, W. J. (2016). The benefits of social technology use among older adults are mediated by reduced loneliness. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 19(9), 551–556. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2016.0151
Quail, M., Wolfson, C., & Lippman, A. (2011). Unmet need for assistance to perform activities of daily living and psychological distress in community-dwelling elderly women. Canadian Journal on Aging, 30(4), 591–602. https://doi.org/10.1017/S071498081100052X
Shah, S. J., Schwamm, L. H., & Cohen, A. B. (2017). Virtual visits partially replaced in-person visits in an ACO-based medical specialty practice. Health Affairs, 36(12), 2045–2051. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0830
Wosik, J., Fudim, M., Cameron, B., Gellad, Z. F., Cho, A., Phinney, D., Curtis, S., Roman, M., Poon, E. G., Ferranti, J., & Katz, J. N. (2020). Telehealth transformation: COVID-19 and the rise of virtual care. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 27(6), 957–962. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa067
Websites
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020, December 28). Medicare and Medicaid programs; policy and regulatory revisions in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Federal Register, 85(252). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-28/pdf/2020-26815.pdf
TEDxWaterStreet. (2021, May 27). The secret to self-advocacy | Bhavana Bartholf [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkgQ9f7KJaw&list=PLmB2dHqb_WqDKBPBbzBz6KTdfkyPwvr1D&index=21
TEDxTucson. (2021, April 15). Advocate for your health | Molly Hottle [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grs5rS0q5nk&list=PLmB2dHqb_WqDKBPBbzBz6KTdfkyPwvr1D&index=20
Vogel, K. (2021, April 20). Patient advocates can save your money and your life [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5C880rQlUY&list=PLmB2dHqb_WqDKBPBbzBz6KTdfkyPwvr1D&index=19
Research Papers
Allen, J. E., & Annells, M. (2009). Development of a telehealth model of care for the older person in residential care: An action research study. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 15(5), 236–239. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2009.081213
Books
Rothkopf, C., & Edwards, Z. C. (2022). Navigating your healthcare journey: Lessons learned to get the care you need and deserve. Healthcare Advocacy Press. ISBN: 9781732432950
Additional Resources
Highlights:
0:00 – The pandemic has boosted the use of telemedicine.
0:19 – Medicare patients can now visit any doctor by phone or video conference at no additional cost.
0:35 – Telemedicine offers opportunities for doctors and patients to connect regularly.
0:52 – A study found that 13 million older adults struggle to access telemedicine.
1:17 – More than a third of Medicare beneficiaries are not ready for video visits.
1:30 – Social isolation among older adults complicates access to telemedicine.
1:40 – Lower income men of color with poor health face the greatest challenges.
1:48 – There are significant issues with elderly care that require more research.
2:03 – Solutions include covering digital devices as medical necessities.
2:14 – Home visits may be essential for effective healthcare delivery.
Highlights:
0:10 – Heidi Miller Brunetto introduces herself as a psychologist working with elderly patients.
0:14 – She shares her initial reservations about using telehealth for patient care.
1:07 – Emphasizes the importance of educating elderly patients on using technology for telehealth.
1:45 – Suggests using headphones to minimize background noise during sessions.
2:01 – Discusses the need to adjust communication style for better understanding.
2:32 – Highlights the convenience of telehealth for elderly patients lacking transportation.
2:50 – Notes the benefit of involving caregivers or family members during telehealth sessions.
3:21 – Addresses the myth that elderly patients are disinterested in telehealth services.
3:39 – Shares positive feedback from patients feeling comfortable and understood through telehealth.
4:04 – Concludes that telehealth can provide benefits comparable to in-person visits.
0:19 – The speaker shares her experience driving on an empty highway during the pandemic lockdown.
1:06 – Introduction to telemedicine as a practice of delivering care using technology.
1:39 – A significant increase in telehealth usage from 8% in 2019 to over two-thirds of Americans during the pandemic.
2:11 – Telemedicine is now integrated into various healthcare aspects, including primary care and robotic surgeries.
3:08 – Emphasis on human connection as a crucial element of healing in telemedicine.
3:35 – Introduction of digitally enabled care as a combination of in-person and virtual healthcare.
4:05 – Rapid expansion of technology in telemedicine, including diagnostic attachments for smartphones.
5:20 – Personal anecdote about using telemedicine during pregnancy, highlighting convenience.
6:00 – Discussion on the average time spent in healthcare visits and the potential savings with telemedicine.
7:39 – A study showing improved blood pressure control and cost savings for patients using telemedicine.
8:27 – Technology is rapidly improving the personalization of medicine through telemedicine.
8:41 – Dr. L’s experience shows that stepping back can enhance listening during patient assessments.
10:13 – Humanism in medicine emphasizes the importance of personal connection over data and technology.
10:54 – Many patients feel unheard during traditional visits due to doctors focusing on screens.
12:14 – Studies show that doctors who listen and empathize lead to better patient outcomes.
12:59 – Telemedicine allows doctors to focus on personal stories rather than just physical exams.
13:20 – Telemedicine enables doctors to connect with patients in their home environment.
14:07 – Video visits can reveal environmental triggers affecting patients’ health.
15:00 – Doctors must improve communication skills to maximize telemedicine’s benefits.
16:38 – Telemedicine enhances human connection, allowing for more personal interactions despite being virtual.
Book Review: Digital MD: Revolutionizing the Future of Healthcare by Liz Kwo, MD, MBA, MPH
Published: June 11, 2024
Overview
In Digital MD, Dr. Liz Kwo—a Harvard-trained physician and serial healthcare entrepreneur—provides a rare, insider’s view into the forces shaping the current digital health revolution. With a unique combination of clinical, corporate, and public-sector experience, Dr. Kwo guides readers through the often opaque world of healthcare transformation. This book is especially valuable for those involved in healthcare leadership, innovation, or policy—and highly relevant for seniors, caregivers, and retirees interested in how digital health is evolving and impacting their care options.
Synopsis
Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Digital MD explains how digital tools and technologies—like telemedicine, AI diagnostics, remote monitoring, and healthcare analytics—are reshaping the industry. Dr. Kwo demystifies how healthcare organizations operate, how partnerships are formed, and how digital health solutions are funded and scaled. Each chapter offers real-world examples, case studies, and lessons that bridge the gap between policy, patient care, and innovation. This book is more than just a roadmap for digital health entrepreneurs; it is a manifesto for transforming the healthcare experience for patients and providers alike.
Key Themes
-
The Rise of Digital Health: Explores how COVID-19 and policy shifts accelerated digital transformation.
-
System Complexity: Unpacks the intricate interactions between providers, payers, employers, and government agencies.
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Access & Equity: Emphasizes technology’s potential to increase access for underserved populations, including seniors and rural communities.
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Innovation in Aging: Offers insight into how digital health can address chronic disease management, telehealth for older adults, and home-based care.
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Reimbursement & Regulation: Clarifies the financial and legal realities of deploying new healthcare technologies.
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Caregiver and Patient Empowerment: Shows how data, devices, and apps are giving more control to patients and their families.
Writing Style
Dr. Kwo’s writing is accessible, clear, and engaging despite the technical nature of the content. She avoids jargon when possible and supplements more complex discussions with illustrative case studies and analogies. Her tone is professional yet optimistic, encouraging innovation while acknowledging real-world challenges. The book flows logically, making it easy for readers without a business or medical background to follow.
Conclusion
Digital MD is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand or influence the future of healthcare, especially as it pertains to aging populations and long-term care. Dr. Kwo’s balanced, thoughtful perspective helps readers—from policymakers to caregivers—navigate a confusing landscape of rapid technological change. Seniors and those involved in their care will find valuable insight into how digital health tools can enhance autonomy, improve outcomes, and reduce costs.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)
A compelling, timely, and deeply informed guide to the evolving world of healthcare innovation.
About Us - Cielito Lindo Senior Living
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We are Cielito Lindo – a senior care facility in beautiful San Miguel de Allende and we serve as the assisted living and memory care component of Rancho los Labradores, which is a truly incredible one-of-a-kind country club resort-like gated community. Rancho los Labradores consists of individual villas, man made lakes, cobblestone streets, and a rich array of wonderful amenities (e.g., tennis, club house, pools, cafe, long and short term hotel suites, theater, Cielito Lindo, a la carte assisted living services).
What makes this place so amazing is not only the beauty and sense of community, but also the fact that you can have the lifestyle you desire with the care that you need as those needs arise… and all of this at a cost of living that is less than half of what it would cost comparably in the US.
Learn more about Cielito Lindo here.
Download the Expatriate Guide for Senior Living in Mexico – For your convenience, the entire 50-page guide is available for download as a PDF. Send us an email us at information.cielitolindo@gmail.com or give us a call for any other information you might want
English speaking: 1.888.406.7990 (in US & CDN) 00.1.881.406.7990 (in MX)
Spanish speaking: 1.52.415.155.9547 (in US & CDN) 1.415.155.9547 (in MX)
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