Caregiving: Telemedicine Can Cut Home Care Costs, Improve Service, Says CertifiedCare.org Executive Director Cathleen Carr

CLEVELAND, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Videoconferencing and telemedicine can help improve the quality of care for homebound patients and cut costs to providers and patients alike, says Dr. Cathleen Carr, executive director of CertifiedCare.org, one of the nation's largest organizations to educate and certify caregivers.

Telemedicine is the use of telecommunication and information technologies to provide clinical health care at a distance. It helps eliminate distance barriers and can improve access to medical services that would often not be consistently available in distant rural communities. It is also used to save lives in critical care and emergency situations, according to Wikipedia.

"There are few things more harmful, disruptive or costly than calling an ambulance to transport an elderly patient to a hospital, clinic or doctor's office for a routine, non-emergency check up. Yet, in this day and age, that's the norm. We should be insisting that videoconference technology be used for home healthcare and for non-emergency visits," said Dr. Carr, an expert on senior law and caregiving issues.

Many doctors and clinics today use computers and cameras to meet with patients, diagnose patients and even consult on operations, she said.

"The cost of a computer and a camera is much less than the cost of a routine ambulance transport," she said. "Plus, the trauma inflicted on an elderly person in any transportation situation is huge. Allowing the patient to talk to a doctor in the comfort of their own home is a great way to maintain their own health and wellness."

The cost of a computer with a camera is about $400 while the cost of an ambulance is about $450 for basic transportation plus miles, according to a review of several websites. "I have a dear friend who said she was charged $1,500, on more than one occasion for using an ambulance to go to a hospital less than 3 miles away!" reports Dr. Carr.

Telemedicine can do more than replace office visits. Computers can monitor patients remotely and alert physicians to any changes. This technique is used for monitoring conditions like heart disease, diabetes mellitus or asthma.

Interactive telemedicine can provide real-time visits between patient and doctors who can talk to each other and get the up-close and personal attention that is needed, without leaving their homes or offices, Dr. Carr said.

"Of course, a caregiver would need to be trained on how to use the equipment properly and interact with medical personnel as well as the patient," Carr said. "That's another reason why it is essential for caregivers to become trained and certified, and for families and patients to look for CertifiedCaregivers® who are trained in the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the best possible care for their patients."

About CertifiedCare.org

CertifiedCare.org believes that every elderly person who wants to stay at home should be able to do so, so long as they have someone to watch over them and help them live a safe and comfortable life.

We believe that many able-bodied persons can find meaningful work for reasonable wages in the growing field of elder care.

We believe that education should be affordable and accessible to all who desire it.

For information, go to http://certifiedcare.org/.

About Cathleen Carr

Dr. Cathleen V. Carr, JD, Msc.D., is a nationally recognized Elder Care Specialist in the areas of Wills, Trusts, Probate, Elder Law and Holistic Health and Wellness. She has been a caregiver since she was 11 years old for both family members and friends. She developed the first certification curriculum and training program for assisted living companions that incorporates alternative therapies.

Contact:
Cathleen Carr
[email protected]
312-718-2768

SOURCE CertifiedCare.org