A Healthcare delivery system that uses digital technologies to gather patient data & electronically transmit it to healthcare providers in a different location.

The world is witnessing a rapid increase in the aged population. According to the US Census Bureau, 83.7 billion people are expected to be aged 65 years or above by 2050. The largest proportion of healthcare consumers are seniors. As reported by NCOA, 80% of the older adults have at least one chronic disease and 68% have at least two. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it highly risky for seniors to visit healthcare facilities as they have the highest mortality rate. Besides, transportation barriers and rising healthcare costs make it challenging for senior citizens to visit medical clinics even during normal times. As per a study reported in NCBI, healthcare costs increase exponentially after the age of 50, and elderly care is four-five times costlier than individuals in their teens.

Remote health monitoring becomes a massive game-changer and one-stop solution to all these problems. Home patient monitoring has come to the spotlight for providing necessary care to the at-risk senior population while maintaining the social distance protocols. According to a report by Zion Market Research, the global market value for home healthcare is expected to surpass $391 billion by 2021.

WHAT IS REMOTE HEALTH MONITORING?

RHM (or RPM) is a healthcare delivery system that uses digital technologies to gather patient data and electronically transmit it to healthcare providers in a different location. It makes use of wearables, monitoring devices with sensors, smartphone apps, etc. to allow the healthcare providers to remotely track patients’ health data, including heart rate, blood pressure, weight, sugar level, and other vital signs. 

It is instrumental in managing diabetes, controlling obesity, reducing the risk of heart failure, managing chronic diseases and ensuring geriatric well-being through continuous surveillance. Remote Patient Monitoring also reduces strain on the healthcare system by increasing the doctors’ capacity to treat more patients and decreasing hospitalizations, readmission, and length of stay in hospitals.

BENEFITS OF RHM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

• Eliminates barrier of transportation and distance
• Improves the quality of healthcare
• Reduces cost and wait time
• Reduces response time to health and life threats
• Sense of safety and assurance through easy and quick 24/7 access to healthcare 
• Improves patient engagement in healthcare
• Reminds patients to take medicines and measurements

Remote health monitoring has led to momentous changes in many lives. A tele-homecare platform allowed a 66-years-old woman from Delhi to consult a medical professional in the middle of the lockdown. The patient was collecting fluid in her lungs, and early intervention with further testing helped her stay home and prevent hospitalization. 

While there are obstacles to overcome, Remote Health Monitoring is still essential to the healthcare industry's future. RHM (or RPM) technology is a must-have for ensuring a safer environment and better quality of life for the aging population in their golden years.