The Digital Disruption in Senior Health Care

Whether you are a consumer, a health care provider, or an employee of a health care organization, you are likely aware that the digital disruption in senior health care is rapidly expanding and has the potential to change the way that health care is delivered. The article below outlines some of the trends and challenges associated with the digital disruption of senior health care. It explores the importance of adopting new technology to improve the health care of older adults.

Technology is asserting its influence over the market

Using technology to deliver care is nothing new, but advances in technology have opened the door for nontraditional players to offer novel services. In a nutshell, they are using technology to improve worker productivity and health, reduce costs, and provide more patients with access to care.

Front-line workers may be the biggest beneficiaries of new technology.Technologies that make them more efficient and effective can increase their happiness quotient and allow them to spend more time with their families. This is particularly true in light of the rising cost of health care.

The AMA did a survey of their members to see how many are adopting new and emerging technologies. The results showed that more than one-third of doctors expect to adopt at least one new technology within the year. The AMA also performed a benchmark test to see how emerging health technologies could be incorporated into clinical practice. The resulting study found that the most effective uses of new technologies would be those that promote patient wellness, enhance communications with physicians, and reduce paperwork.

The AMA has done an admirable job of promoting the use of new and emerging technologies, but they could still be doing more. In particular, they could be implementing new technological approaches to address the needs of their aging patients.

The transition from fee-for-service to fee-for-value reimbursement models will rely heavily on advanced primary care providers

Several alternative payment models have recently been introduced by Medicare and Medicaid. These models are designed to encourage providers to shift from a traditional fee-for-service model to a more value-based reimbursement model. These models reward providers for efficient care. However, they also require providers to invest in infrastructure and people.

In this new model, providers are accountable for patient outcomes from the start of a patient’s care cycle to the end of it. This includes the prevention of disease progression, relapses, and complications.

While the fee-for-service reimbursement model has traditionally focused on quantity of services, public demands for better quality are driving the shift away from this traditional model. This new model encourages providers to improve care through coordinated care pathways. It also rewards providers for eliminating therapies and providing care in the right facilities.

In addition to the payment models, providers will have to shift their business models. This includes adding new services and more expensive interventions. They will also need to improve their diagnostic testing. This will increase their costs and impose an additional financial risk on them.

To encourage more coordinated care, providers are adding a variety of physicians and specialists to their care teams. They are also adding hospitalists and navigators to accompany patients through their care. These partnerships have positively affected patients’ challenges.

Barriers to using technology for older adults

Using technology with older adults can be a daunting task. However, there are some technological innovations that can be helpful for seniors. Some of these innovations include mHealth technologies such as smartphones and tablets. These devices can help seniors get medical treatment and communicate with healthcare providers. These devices also provide health-related data and real-time feedback.

Older adults might be reluctant to use technology for fear of viruses, scams, pop-ups, and confidentiality issues. Similarly, older adults might be fearful of breaking their devices. This fear may be due to a lack of confidence.

A lack of knowledge can also limit older adults’ ability to use technology. This lack of knowledge can result in frustration and possibly a feeling of being out of control.

The most impressive technology for older adults is likely the social interaction facilitated by technology. Older adults are motivated to remain socially engaged. However, social isolation is associated with higher rates of residential care. This is especially true for older adults who live alone. Using technology to facilitate social interaction may lead to less isolation and, therefore, less loneliness.

The best technology for older adults is one that is designed with their particular needs in mind. This may include caregiver support, a patient-centered app design, or a combination of the three.