Reprint of a NAHC article

From www.NAHC.org


Most Seniors Open to Technology Use in Their Homes
Numbers of Seniors Now Using Wellness Technology Still Low, However
Seniors would be willing to use personal health and wellness technology -- even at a cost of some personal privacy -- if it will help allow them to live in their homes for as long as possible, according to a new study released by AARP. In the study, "Healthy @ Home 2.0," seniors said they would use technology such as a remote monitoring device or medication monitor/planner to remain independent in their homes.
The report is a follow-up to AARP's 2007 study analyzing factors that influence technology use among seniors (persons age 65 and older) and their caregivers that would help them live independently.
The report found that approximately two-thirds of seniors currently use personal computers to communicate with family and friends, while half use their personal computers to search for health information online. Seniors reported that they use their personal computers because it saves time and also helps give their family and friends peace of mind.
Among the study's findings:

• 20 percent of seniors reported that they'd be willing to use an electronic pill box that shares medication compliance information with their health care provider;
• 25 percent said they'd be willing to use a system that lets them send info to their provider and have a video conference;
• 34 percent said they'd be willing to use a system that lets them send their health information to their provider; and
• 54 percent are willing to use a personal emergency response system.

A significant majority of seniors participating in the study, 70 percent, said they would be willing to have their doctors diagnose their conditions using technology that receives their health information from another doctor. Slightly less, 68 percent, said they'd be willing to have their doctors diagnose their conditions using technology that receives their health information directly from their homes, and slightly more, 73 percent, said they'd be willing to have their doctors provide follow-up care while sharing health information received from other doctors remotely monitoring their conditions. And 68 percent said they would be willing to have their doctors provide follow-up care while using telemedicine technology that receives their health information from remote monitoring devices directly in their homes.
Although the number of seniors who indicated willingness to use technology for health and wellness, the actual number of those currently using it remains low, according to the study. Less than one in 10 seniors currently uses a personal emergency response system such as a medical alert, bracelet, or necklace, or the devices that automatically contact first responders. Even fewer are using technologies that enable them to share their health information with their providers. These technologies would include a personal health record (PHR) or telehealth solutions like a remote monitoring device which would allow the patient and doctor to communicate remotely using a video connection or would allow certain clinical data to be collected through a device and shared with the provider remotely.
Comparably, 81 percent of caregivers ages 45 to 75 report that they communicate with family and friends using a personal computer, and 71 percent said they search for health information online. Caregivers reported they believe personal computers are reliable, could save them money, give them peace of mind, and make the person they care for feel safe.
Caregivers attribute some of these same benefits to using personal health and wellness devices, yet 67 percent believe these solutions costs too much to install and maintain. Half of caregivers reported that they do not believe these technologies are available to the person they help; 48 percent said they believe that the technologies would be difficult to learn how to use; and 42 percent said they believe the technologies are an invasion of privacy.
NAHC and its Home Care Technology Association of America (HCTAA) affiliate believe these trends are additional clear indicators that more resources are needed to support education and adoption of health IT in the home. NAHC and HCTAA are calling on members to urge their senators to cosponsor the Fostering Independence Through Technology (FITT) Act (NAHC Report, 3/11/11). The FITT bill would create pilot projects within Medicare that would provide incentives to home health agencies for the adoption and use of remote monitoring and other communication technologies.