Growing life expectancy pressures already overburden health systems and present significant societal concerns.
Digital technologies help. For example, medical edetailing software helps bridge the gap between pharmaceuticals and healthcare professions (HCP) in order to increase the ability of HCPs to manage health and independence in aging populations.
Additionally, digital health's fundamental changes have equally influenced the senior care industry in healthcare delivery with significant shifts from purely traditional medical routines to hybrid service (traditional and remote medicine).
Digital health technologies allow senior care providers and the elderly population to access customized care services, improve health outcomes and guarantee a higher quality of life for seniors.
What is Digital Health?
Digital health is a broad topic that includes wearable technologies, telehealth, and telemedicine. It can also include mobile health (mHealth), personalized medicine, and health information technology (IT).
Digital technology has been a driving force in healthcare since the 2020 pandemic.
We have seen mobile medical apps and software that help doctors make clinical choices daily, as well as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
These tools have great potential to enhance personal healthcare delivery and our ability to identify diseases precisely.
Digital health technology uses software, sensors, computing platforms, and networking for medical treatment and related applications.
These technologies have different uses - from medical gadgets to applications for general well-being.
This category includes technologies intended for medical products, as companion diagnostics, or as adjuvants to pharmacological, biological, and device products. They might also be used in medical device research and development.
Valuable Stats on Digital Health
According to current data, the global market for digital health is expected to grow to approximately $511 billion by 2025, driven by the growing need for innovative ways to raise the standard of care for older people.
According to a recent survey, 90% of seniors favor doctors who use digital health technologies or are interested in using them to manage their health.
The global Digital Health Market is estimated to reach USD 1,190.4 billion by 2032, up from USD 264.1 billion in 2023. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7% from 2023 to 2032.
In Q1 2020, telehealth usage in the United States climbed by 154%.
76% of adults over 55 have used telemedicine.
In 2022, 23.4 million patients in the United States are predicted to use remote patient monitoring services and equipment.
80% of Americans favor remote patient monitoring, and more than half strongly approve of introducing it into medical care services.
The most likely demographics to report utilizing wearable healthcare devices were women, 16.25%.
These statistics show that digital health is beneficial, not just for advancing senior care but for everyone.
Bridging the Digital Health Divide in Senior Care
Technology has the potential to improve the effectiveness and quality of eldercare for seniors and their caregivers.
There is still a "digital health divide" between older and younger healthcare technology users.
However, older people are using technology more frequently, and digital health has been shown to benefit them.
As more Medicare and Medicaid services move from institutions to the home and community, this market's expansion will translate into growth for AgeTech companies, which are businesses that create technology to meet the needs of aging populations.
Technology advancements have given the healthcare industry new options for caring for older people.
Patients used to need to visit their doctor to receive care, but the hospital-at-home care delivery paradigm prevents this from happening at home.
The major advantage of the technique is that it uses care programs with connective devices to manage patients with chronic conditions.
What does the hospital-at-home care model include?
Self-administered dialysis
Remote patient monitoring
Daily telehealth visits
Meals are delivered at home by various community-based organizations.
How is Digital Health Transforming Senior Care?
Remote Monitoring
The senior care sector is changing dramatically due to digital health technology and remote health monitoring.
Due to connected devices and virtual care delivery modules, caregivers may remotely monitor and manage elderly patients at home health centers, hospices, and palliative care institutions.
Furthermore, improved care outcomes and fewer hospitalizations have resulted from personalized care delivered via remote health monitoring.
These days, older adults are very open to using wearable technology, sensors, and smartphone apps to manage their health. Clinicians can also use these technologies and equipment to obtain real-time vital sign and other metrics data.
Health Education and Promotion
Population health, especially for baby boomers, depends on health promotion. Elderly populations need the finest environment, knowledge, and skills to improve their health.
It's helpful for exchanging health information across the elder care continuum and various health literacy platforms and applications.
These educational applications, which offer everything from exercise regimens and nutrition plans to vitals monitoring and emergency care instructions, have truly empowered senior citizens.
Community Care
Most seniors, particularly those residing in geriatric care facilities or hospice care, fear social isolation.
On the other hand, digital health technology can decrease social isolation by utilizing online communities via digital platforms.
Digital community apps and platforms help seniors engage in a variety of activities, live stress-free, and meet friends.
It benefits not only their physical but also their emotional well-being.
Tech Concierge Roles in Healthcare Facilitate Senior Care
The 2020 pandemic has pushed the world towards change. The pre-pandemic era witnessed reticence by senior residents in adapting to new technologies.
Hence, working with tech concierges. However, things have changed with more elderly embracing technology.
A significant rise is seen in tech concierge roles. The Tech concierge assists seniors with using digital devices, setting up new devices, and resolving tech-related issues.
As seniors choose to move to a particular community living option or stay in their residence, they will look for tech-centric facilities and inquire about tech-centric questions, such as:
Whether there is WiFi connectivity?
How many devices can they access?
Is there a provision for tech-based monitoring?
Considering the rising need for technology-centered senior care, tech concierges could be a potential avenue for seniors to meet their technological needs.
Conclusion
The aging population has special difficulties, especially when meeting the demands on healthcare systems and guaranteeing access to high-quality healthcare.
Digital health technologies have become revolutionary instruments that allow healthcare providers to efficiently and remotely provide individualized care.
These developments significantly affect senior care, as prompt interventions and ongoing observation improve quality of life.
About the Author
Emeka Anyaorah is the CEO of PharmaServ, a pharmaceutical SaaS platform transforming field medical and sales operations.
Guided by his purpose to "Lead to inspire, Serve to create, and Give to remain," Emeka is devoted to driving impactful solutions that empower life science organizations and individuals.
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