4 Practical Ways to Improve RPM Engagement for Senior Patients

The modern-day remote care technology is a boon, especially for senior patients who may find it overwhelming to step out of their comfort zone for the doctor’s appointment. Despite the convenience it offers, getting senior patients to engage with a medical technology is a long-standing concern. While the widespread use of smartphones and wearables, such as smartwatches has helped a lot in closing this technology gap, some seniors still struggle to interact.

If you are a healthcare provider concerned about the low engagement rate among elderly population, for telehealth initiatives such as Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), this engagement strategy guide is all you need to follow.

Why It Is Important To Ensure Patient Engagement?

Compared to pre-Covid times, seniors nowadays are more technologically savvy. Around 61% of seniors of age 65 and older owned a smartphone in 2021, up from 46% in 2018 and only 13% in 2012. However, despite the fact that seniors are rapidly adopting new technologies, nearly 4 in 10 are not technologically advanced enough or lack digital literacy to participate in an RPM program and don’t know how to take their health readings using Wi-Fi or cellular medical devices.

This is where healthcare organizations looking for an effective patient engagement strategy for remote care programs is facing a setback. Another hindrance is lack of access to internet or good cellular network. Some seniors live in rural places with limited to no internet access, while many others struggle with day-to-day device management.

In comparison to organizations that aren’t providing patient resources or technical support, those introducing RPM tools, digital resources, and 24/7 patient support are likely seeing more engagement and success rate.

For more read article: 4 Practical Ways to Improve RPM Engagement for Senior Patients