Telehealth for Seniors: How to Get The Most From Virtual Doctor Visits
Introduction
Don’t you just love going to doctor appointments? You get to leave the house, get dressed, and fight traffic. Then you get to sit in a sterile waiting room full of germy magazines and people who are way too comfortable in a hospital gown!
Yeah, screw that.
Luckily there’s an easier way: Telehealth! It’s a magical wonderland where you can get your parents’ medical care and still be in your jammies.
The idea of virtual doctor visits might feel like a weaker version of an in-person visit. For some it’s new, it’s scary, and it makes you question all of your tech skills (which, let’s be honest, are mostly limited to “how do I turn this thing off?”).
We’re going to show you that Telehealth is often the best way to get routine care AND we’re going to make sure you’re set up to get the most out of it while maintaining your sanity.
Why Telehealth Matters for Seniors
Telehealth has been around for a minute but it wasn’t until the COVID pandemic that it really took off. While this forced a lot of patients (and insurance companies) to get comfortable with the idea of virtual visits, there are still a lot of people who are on the fence, especially older adults.
The thing is, you may have noticed that the US Healthcare system is a little overwhelmed. This makes going into the clinic, or even getting an appointment feel like an episode of Black Mirror. To make things worse, when it’s a hassle to see a doctor, your less likely to see a doctor, which can have a negative impact on your parents’ health.
Also, virtual visits are amazing, especially for older adults and here’s why:
Accessibility: Virtual visits reduce transportation challenges for mobility-impaired seniors and saves you time by taking the travel logistics out of the equation.
Convenience: Just turn on your computer or phone, log in, and you’re there. Honestly, your phone is already on so…
Safety: The only germs you and your parents are gonna be exposed to are the ones you already have in your home.
Comprehensive Care: You’re going to get to see the doctor quicker and more often. Plus, it’s likely that they’ll be able to spend more time with you since they don’t have to run between rooms and wait for you to get situated.
Telehealth isn't just a trend—it's a transformative approach to healthcare. As technology improves and we all become more comfortable with digital tools, virtual medical consultations will become increasingly sophisticated and user-friendly.
Getting the Most Out of a Telehealth Visit
1 - Get Your Tech In Order
The good news is that you probably have everything you need to set up a Telehealth visit for your parents. If your parents’ doctor or health plan provide Telehealth in the first place they’ll have their own instructions for connecting. It’s usually like a Zoom or FaceTime call with some extra privacy protections.
Beyond this, you’ll need:
A Reliable Internet Connection: This can be as simple as having 3-4 bars of reception on your mobile phone but ideally you’ll have a solid wifi connection.
Smartphone, Tablet, or Computer With a Camera: If you’re reading this you have one or all of these already.
Comfortable, Well-lit Space: This is not Blair Witch or one of those survival shows. Turn on all the lights and make sure you have at least one facing you and your parent.
Hearing Aids or Assistive Devices (If Needed): Phone and computer speakers can be problematic if your parents are hard of hearing. Make sure the hearing aids are in and the speakers are turned all the way up.
2 - Write Down Questions and Concerns Beforehand
Whether it’s in person or virtual, it’s always a good idea to come prepared with a written down plan. Get your parents involved so their concerns are addressed as well. Whatever you do, write it all down beforehand because there’s no way you’re going to remember everything. Doctors’ visits tend to be like an episode of Severance without the spicy romantic subplot.
Generally speaking you’ll want to cover the same basic things at each visit:
Recent symptoms and their progression
Changes in medication effectiveness
New or worsening health concerns
Mental health and emotional well-being concerns
Diet and exercise impacts on their condition
Side effects from current treatments
Be sure to also:
Organize medical records and recent test results so you can refer to them during the visit. Do you know what those “critical” or “out of range” numbers mean? Now’s your time to ask!
If you’re able, take vital signs beforehand (blood pressure, temperature, weight). This will impress the doctor and give them important information to make decisions.
Have a list of current medications, including dosages. Make sure the doctor knows what your parents are taking and confirm that they’re still needed.
3 - Ask Questions At The Visit
It can be hard to know what questions to ask when you’re starting from zero. We like you so we’ve listed a few that might be helpful:
Health Status and Treatment Questions
"Can you explain my parent’s current health condition in detail?"
"What are the potential treatment options?"
"Are there any lifestyle changes that could improve their condition?"
"What symptoms should prompt me to seek immediate in-person care?"
"How do their current medications interact?”
Follow-Up and Ongoing Care Questions
"Do I need any additional tests or screenings?"
"When should I schedule my next follow-up?"
"Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should consider?"
"How can I monitor my condition between visits?"
"What warning signs should I watch for?"
4 - Know When to Request an In-Person Follow-Up
As great as Telehealth is, there are some things that just need to be done face-to-face. First, and this should be obvious, if it’s an emergency call 911. Don’t wait to talk to the doctor on the phone to tell them you think your dad is having a heart attack. Just get to an emergency room as soon as possible.
There are also certain complex symptoms can’t be fully understood through a screen. Sure, we can talk about your parent’s cough, but if their doctor can’t hear it properly they might not be getting the full picture. Or what about that wound? Maybe your webcam doesn’t do it justice.
You also have to listen to your gut. If you think the doctor doesn’t quite understand the situation, speak up and say so. You’re not a medical professional so you can’t always describe those little "I-don’t-know-what’s-wrong-but-I-know-something’s-off" moments. Most of the time your gut is right and you’ll be thankful you spoke up.
5 - How to Be Your Parent’s Health Advocate
At the end of the day this is about being an advocate for your parent’s health. You gotta be direct and specific—none of this beating around the bush nonsense. Tell the doctor exactly what’s going on and don’t sugarcoat it. If your parent’s been complaining about pain for weeks, don’t let it get lost in the shuffle! And here’s the thing—don’t rush! You’re not on a reality show with a 30-second time limit. Take your time to explain those symptoms—if it takes five minutes, so be it. You’re there to make sure they understand, not rush through like you're ordering a coffee.
And, for the love of everything, ask for clarification if something doesn’t make sense. You’re paying them! It’s like going to a fancy restaurant and asking for the special of the day, only to be told, "It’s a secret." No, that’s not how this works. Finally, take notes! Write down the important stuff so you don’t forget it later, and don’t leave without a summary of their recommendations. It's like getting a receipt for your time and money—don’t skip that step! You’ve got this.
6 - After the Visit
Now that the virtual visit is over its time to put everything together. First off, start a folder, either digital or physical, to keep all your Telehealth visit summaries. You’ll thank yourself later when you need to remember what they said about that weird pain your mom’s been having for months. And if they let you record the session or give you a transcript, save it. This isn’t the time to be all “meh, I’ll remember.” You won’t. I promise.
Next, track your parents health between visits. You don’t need to go crazy with this and their doctor may have even given your some guidance on things like checking their weight every day. Just keep an eye on anything else you’re supposed to be monitoring and any ongoing concerns. Trust me, a little data goes a long way. If you know when the cough/hives/pain/whatever occurs then you and the doctor may be able to uncover the reason.
And finally, it can be really helpful to keep a journal. Write down how your parents are feeling and how you’re feeling on a regular basis. This will help you keep track of trends in their health (ie is their blood pressure increasing or decreasing over time?) and also keep you honest about how you’re feeling too so you can adjust your self care accordingly.
Conclusion
Embracing Telehealth doesn't mean replacing traditional healthcare—it means enhancing it. By understanding the process, preparing adequately, and maintaining open communication with your parents’ healthcare providers, you can make virtual doctor visits a seamless part of their medical routine. Plus you’ll spend less time in traffic and waiting rooms which is a win.