The shift to virtual, Part 1: Adoption of virtual options by older populations for clinical care, health education resources, and social interaction

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe pandemic has created new barriers for the delivery of healthcare resources and information, as well as in‐person delivery of health care, caregiving and social engagement. This is particularly true for people in nursing facilities, particularly those with dementia often resulting in tragic consequences. Social distancing, masks and lock downs along with lack and shortages of PPE prevented the physical presence and contact of people engaged in delivering dementia care causing greater suffering of people living with dementia, and enormous stress to providers, family and friends. This has necessitated a major shift in how people access both human interaction and healthcare information. This presentation will provide lessons learned from the transition to virtual‐based public education and virtual social interaction aimed at mitigating the risk of exposure to COVID‐19 and harms of social isolation.MethodThis dramatic shift has necessitated a explosive adoption of telemedicine and alternative, technological visitation as well as a more targeted approach to virtual public health campaigns focused on older adults. A natural experiment has been created as we rushed to adopt virtual communication methods to deliver vital services for older people, including those with cognitive impairment.ResultEfforts will be made to track the results and long‐term implications for adoption of telehealth resources and virtual visitation for older populations concerned about cognitive health as well as those living with dementia and their caregivers.ConclusionPublic policies are being developed to assist in the adoption and use of technology for delivery of health care information, telemedicine, visitation to combat social isolation. The lessons learned should inform the future of long term care policies for people with dementia and their caregivers.