Remote technology may be able to significantly improve the lives of homebound seniors. Depression among seniors who need home healthcare is much higher than it is among other elderly people living at home, but results from a new study indicate that treatment through telemedicine may be able to significantly reduce depression levels. Telemedicine is the transfer of medical information and the treatment of conditions through interactive audiovisual communications such as video conferencing.
The pilot study by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and other organizations worked with 19 homebound seniors initially diagnosed with major depression. Upon follow-up after the remote treatment, the average depression level scores were “mild”.
