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Top Tech Firsts That Older Americans Have Tried—And Enjoyed—At Home During the Pandemic

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As COVID-19 outbreaks continue to transform our daily lives, this new survey of American seniors shows that many seniors have been forced to experiment with technology for the first time, and are enjoying it more than they originally thought.

According to a survey of 2,000 Americans 65 and older, use of Zoom (34%) and video chat with their doctor (25%) topped the “firsts” list for older people during the pandemic.

It also revealed that 15% of respondents used a smartphone or tablet for the first time during this period.

Carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Medtronic, the study looked at the adaptations that many older people were forced to make in recent months.

Seventy-nine percent of those surveyed tried telehealth for the first time during the pandemic to help them stay home and reduce their risk of contracting the new coronavirus, and older people who benefited from these services are now beginning to see telehealth. advantages of other high-tech remote services. health care options.

58% said they plan to use these services in the future, if given the option, while 56% of respondents said they would prefer their doctor to have regular access to information about their heart and other conditions without the need for a doctor. visit of the person.

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And 77% of those surveyed who are caregivers of someone with a heart condition, in particular, would rather have this option.

“The pandemic has revealed new possibilities for advanced healthcare technology that can adapt to our changing needs,” said Dr. Robert Kowal, medical director of Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure.

“More people 70 and over are embracing life-saving technologies like remote monitoring of their heart conditions,” he said. “They get peace of mind without leaving home and without risking exposure to COVID-19 through visits to the emergency room or hospital.”

The survey also revealed how the adoption of new technology practices, such as telehealth, has helped older people overcome the challenges of an uncertain time.

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Isolation, loneliness and the disappearance of family (including grandchildren) were some of the things that respondents identified as the hardest part of the pandemic for them.

However, 59% agreed that the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and their ability to reunite with family has given them a renewed sense of commitment to maintaining their health.

The main telehealth services used by respondents during the pandemic included telephone consultations (33%), video visits (22%), and secure email (11%) with doctors or other healthcare providers.

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The overwhelming majority of respondents (89%) said they found their telehealth experience simple and intuitive, and 67% say that access to telehealth has given them greater peace of mind.

“As telehealth and remote monitoring devices evolve, becoming more intuitive, convenient and common, I expect to see an increase in adoption rates among older patients from all walks of life,” added Kowal.

Be sure to share this cool poll with your older friends on social media …



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