Technology

Manage Your Health Remotely

As technology advances, it continues to open up new opportunities for us to take charge of our health and stay connected with health care providers from the comfort of our homes. Used effectively, these innovative devices and easy-to-use applications can enable us to track our health and communicate important information to providers remotely, significantly improving health outcomes.

HEALTHTAP

A leader in the growing telehealth space, HealthTap provides telehealth visits with medical professionals at a relatively low cost: $44 a visit or $15 a month membership fee. The app offers medical consultations, personalized health information, and symptom assessment tools, catering to the needs of aging adults. Virtual doctor visits eliminate the need for long wait times and transportation to a physical office. These online doctors can provide personalized treatment plans just like their in-person counterparts. The app also features a Q&A with medical professionals to inform and educate patients in common areas of concern.

WITHINGS BPM CONNECT

Withings BPM Connect is a smart blood pressure monitor that allows the user to measure their blood pressure accurately and monitor trends over time. It connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and can automatically sync data to the free Withings Health Mate app. The app enables users to share the recorded blood pressure data with medical professionals for remote monitoring and adjustments to medication or treatment plans if necessary, making it easy to provide vital data to your doctor both in-person and online. At around $130, the Withings BPM Connect is comparably priced to other health-tracking devices.

LIVONGO BLOOD GLUCOSE METER

Tracking our blood sugar as we age — particularly for those with diabetes — is important. Livongo offers a blood glucose meter that allows diabetics to easily monitor their blood sugar levels. The device automatically sends readings to the Livongo app, which can share the data with health care providers or nutrition specialists for personalized guidance and adjustments to insulin or dietary plans. In addition, Livongo works with your insurance carrier to provide the meter and test strips to patients with no out-of-pocket costs, making it an ideal solution.

OMRON HEARTGUIDE

For those who need to monitor their blood pressure more closely, the Omron Heartguide provides a discreet solution via a wearable wristwatch. Made for all-day wear, this blood pressure monitor accurately monitors and transmits vital data to the Omron connect app which can be installed on any smartphone. At $499, this device is priced similarly to the smartwatches that its design mimics, but the advanced technology makes it an invaluable health care tool.

CALMERRY

While our physical health is vital to our wellbeing, it is important to remember that our mental health is just as important. Fortunately, teletherapy has been improving over the past several years. One of the leading apps in this space in Calmerry. With subscriptions that start at just $50 a week, Calmerry offers a free assessment to match patients with the most suitable therapist based on their specific needs and concerns. The app also provides 24/7 support and crisis intervention services, making it a great option for managing mental health from the comfort of our own home.

By Vanessa Hutchison

Today's Transitions / Fall 2023