Telehealth for Alzheimer's disease
Understand how to use telehealth to provide services to older patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
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Telehealth for Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Dementia is a form of cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia reflects a confused mental state, memory problems, and difficulty with daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is chronic, progressive, and debilitating. There are medications that can help manage some of the symptoms.
Alzheimer's disease affects about 6 million Americans and is the 6th leading cause of death. Older adults often prefer to age in place and receive care at home.
Advances in telehealth and digital health tools can play a role in helping patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Telehealth may mean a patient does not have to travel to appointments. However, given the cognitive difficulties, patients may need extra support with telehealth.
Did you know?
Telehealth can be used for many Alzheimer’s disease treatments, including screenings, behavioral health, and others.
Benefits of using telehealth for Alzheimer’s disease
Telehealth is convenient. It can make it easier to manage Alzheimer’s disease by helping patients receive care in their homes. Patients can receive specialist expertise care without having to travel long distances.
Telehealth for Alzheimer’s disease may include:
- Remote cognitive assessments. Health care providers can remotely assess a patient's cognitive function. Providers can track progress over time using telehealth.
- Remote patient monitoring. Telehealth devices can monitor patients' daily activities and behaviors. This could include tracking sleep patterns and activity levels to identify concerning changes.
- Medication management. Providers can ensure patients are properly taking medications and check for side effects.
- Emergency response systems. Telehealth devices can alert providers and caregivers if the patient needs assistance. This can reduce risks associated with wandering or emergencies in the home.
- Reduce isolation. Telehealth programs can help connect patients and caregivers with care teams, family members, and peers. This can reduce feelings of isolation and improve quality of life.
Did you know?
Telehealth for Alzheimer’s disease may be reimbursable. This includes physician visits, cognitive assessments, and care plan services.
Provider-to-provider telehealth for Alzheimer's disease
Local providers can use telehealth to virtually consult with specialists in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. This connection can be beneficial in several ways, including:
- Patients continue to see their local providers. The local provider can continue to provide care for the patient while benefitting from specialist recommendations.
- Local providers gain knowledge. Providers can benefit from specialists offering continuing education. This information, provided virtually, can enhance local provider knowledge and skills in diagnosis and managing Alzheimer's disease.
Conducting a telehealth visit for a patient with Alzheimer's disease
Older patients may experience reduced dexterity, hearing, and visual abilities. These physical limitations, when combined with cognitive decline, can make telehealth difficult. It’s important to understand how telehealth can be inclusive for all users.
Read these tips to support patients with Alzheimer’s disease using telehealth:
- Offer clear instructions. Provide patients with clear instructions that are written in plain language. Explain to patients and their caregivers why you are asking them for information. Share the steps required to schedule and attend a telehealth appointment.
- Add accessibility features. Ensure that your telehealth platform provides a large, clear view of you. Give patients the ability to control font size and adjust contrast. Enable voice control for patients who prefer to speak instead of type. Provide text-to-speech for patients who struggle to read a screen.
Tip: Inform older patients about how to protect their data and privacy.
Online training and support for caregivers
Telehealth for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can provide benefits. Telehealth can reduce the need for transportation and improve access and management of this disease. Telehealth may increase the opportunity for coordination of care among providers and caregivers.
Caregivers of Alzheimer's patients can use telehealth for training and support. Caregivers can access remote support groups and individual counseling. This can help reduce caregiver stress and improve caregiver skills.
More information
Health equity in telehealth — Health Resources and Services Administration
Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) — Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias — Administration for Community Living