The healthcare sector is not an exception to the fast-moving age of technology. Patient portals, which provide a convenient means for people to access their medical records, make appointments, and contact healthcare practitioners, have become an essential component of contemporary healthcare. Even though these portals have a lot to offer, seniors who may not be as comfortable with digital platforms may find them scary. This blog discusses the value of patient portals for seniors, along with a how-to guide for the home care assistance team and loved ones, to maximize seniors’ use of these digital resources.
Understanding the Importance of Patient Portals
There are many benefits to patient portals, but learning how to navigate them can be overwhelming for some seniors. However, with the help of the home care assistance team and loved ones, they can better understand their importance and therefore be encouraged to learn how to use them.
Obtaining Medical Information: Patient portals empower seniors, giving them immediate access to their medical records. This documentation covers past vaccinations, medications, test findings, and allergies. Seniors can share pertinent information with healthcare practitioners and remain informed about their health status because of this accessibility.
Organizing Appointments: Patient portals make it easier for seniors to control their schedules by letting them make appointments, get reminders, and even reschedule when needed. This helps to increase treatment plan adherence and improve healthcare management.
Safe Interaction: Seniors and healthcare professionals must communicate. Seniors can discuss problems, get clarification on prescriptions, and ask questions securely and conveniently through patient portals without having to make an in-person appointment. This promotes a proactive attitude toward health and raises the standard of care overall.
Refills for Prescriptions: Seniors may check medication instructions, obtain refills online, and manage their prescription needs thanks to patient portals.
Getting Seniors Started
Consider the following guidelines to help seniors become comfortable with patient portals. Remember, while this technology isn’t foreign to many people, it can discourage some seniors. The home care assistance team and loved ones can increase seniors’ desire to use this technology by being patient and validating their feelings.
Starting Point: Start by inquiring if a patient portal is available from the healthcare provider.
Get Account Information: Seniors should obtain the username and password for their account. Once they have this, the home care team or loved ones can help them set up the account and give them a quick overview.
Using the Dashboard: The home care assistance team can help seniors become familiar with the design of the dashboard, highlighting some of the sections they might use most, such as prescriptions, messages, appointments, medical records, and the home screen. The home care assistance team can also assist them in making their first appointment and requesting refills.
Getting into Health Records: Seniors should also review the medical records section to see diagnoses, treatment plans, and test results. If they are unfamiliar with terms or phrases, the home care assistance team can help them understand or make a list of questions they have for their doctor. If they have questions, they can be encouraged to use the messaging function.
Safe Logging Off: Another key component is ensuring that seniors know how to log out of the system to safeguard their private health information.
Patient portals are effective technologies that can significantly improve seniors’ experiences receiving healthcare. With help from their home care assistance team and loved ones, this technology is easier to navigate, giving them the information they need when they need it most.
Sources: https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/logging-health-more-older-adults-use-patient-portals-access-and-attitudes-vary-widely
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/use-and-experiences-patient-portals-among-older-adults
https://www.healthday.com/health-news/health-technology/health-care-tech-2660468555.html
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Assistance Services in Summit NJ please get in touch with the caring staff at Expert Home Care today at (732) 937-5320.
We have been providing Home Health Care to New Jersey families since 1985, and have grown to become one of the largest licensed providers of Live-In Home Care in the upper New Jersey area. Our many years of New Jersey home care experience has produced a company that over 8,000 clients have come to rely on confidently, for help.
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