As WebMD’s chief medical officer, John Whyte, MD, is in a singular place to see each the present state of medical look after America’s older adults and the way in which issues are trending for the long run. We requested him to share his perception on a couple of matters, together with a bit of recommendation.
WebMD: What are a number of the greatest entry to well being care points dealing with older adults in the present day?
JW: Value, transportation, and high quality of care stay a number of the greatest points on the subject of well being look after older adults. Medicare doesn’t cowl 100% of prices, and plenty of sufferers wrestle to pay for his or her prescriptions and physician payments. Because of this, typically they don’t go to the physician as typically as they should, and sometimes they will’t refill their prescriptions. Lack of satisfactory transportation has made it troublesome for a lot of older adults to obtain care — they merely can’t get to their appointments. As older adults develop extra well being situations and their time with the physician will get shorter and shorter, it may be troublesome to handle all their well being care wants. Because of this, it may be onerous to maintain situations like diabetes and blood strain below management.
WebMD: How will know-how change the way in which older adults entry well being care inside the subsequent decade?
JW: Everybody, together with older adults, must change into extra tech-savvy when participating with the well being care system. Digital instruments, resembling sensors and trackers, have gotten extra helpful in managing these situations, like diabetes and hypertension, that brief workplace visits don’t at all times give us time to handle. Digital actuality instruments can even change into extra widespread. On condition that many individuals didn’t develop up with some of these applied sciences, it would make entry to well being care tougher for some teams. We’d like to verify everybody — particularly older adults — has entry to improvements that can enhance their expertise with the well being care system and result in higher outcomes.
WebMD: How will COVID-19 change the character of doctor-patient interplay?
JW: Within the short-term, COVID-19 has had monumental influence on the doctor-patient relationship. All of the sudden nearly each go to was a digital go to. Sadly, in some circumstances, each the physician and the affected person weren’t adequately ready for this abrupt change. Many individuals have been unnoticed utterly or obtained lower than optimum care. However the information isn’t all dangerous. For others, it was a strategy to carry the physician to them, as a substitute of them having to go to the physician. Expertise will help us remedy a few of these transportation points I referred to above. As we transfer into “the brand new regular,” I believe the vast majority of physician visits can be in-person, however telehealth will play a a lot bigger position. I additionally assume we’ll see extra companies delivered instantly within the house.
WebMD: What’s the No. 1 piece of recommendation you’d give to a affected person or caregiver about easy methods to efficiently work together with the well being care system?
JW: Whether or not you’re a self-advocate or caring for another person, a profitable interplay with the well being care system requires persistence. Everyone knows the phrase, “the squeaky wheel will get the grease.” Generally you need to be a that squeaky wheel. The well being care system may be very difficult to navigate. There are loads of rules than can influence your entry to care, and they are often complicated. Generally your method doesn’t work the primary time. So it’s essential to maintain at it when accessing sure companies, and it’s essential to converse up. There’s additionally an fascinating dynamic with older adults on the subject of well being care: They typically say they don’t wish to hassle their physician, or they wish to be a “good affected person.” We’ve got to assist them perceive that being a very good affected person or a very good advocate for another person means getting what it’s essential to ensure you get high quality care.
WebMD: If you happen to have been speaking to a cherished one over 70, what’s the No. 1 piece of well being care recommendation you’d give them with regard to taking good care of themselves?
JW: It’s by no means too late to reap the advantages of a wholesome life-style. If you happen to smoke, give up. If you happen to aren’t bodily energetic, begin slowly — even when it means merely not sitting as a lot all through the day. Being energetic doesn’t imply having to go to the health club. There’s lots you are able to do at house. Check out what you’re consuming and begin to deal with meals as drugs. It may be as highly effective as a prescription drug — and in some circumstances, it might make it easier to eliminate a couple of medicine you’re taking. Lastly, hearken to your physique. Once you don’t really feel good, test in along with your physician.