Hello and welcome back to the Paddock Room.
I'm Margo.
I'm here with Wayne and this is Talking Tech with Wayne, the podcast dedicated to discussing
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Today we will discuss mobile health for seniors.
As technology advances, mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets are increasingly
useful for tracking health and fitness.
Wayne, what is mobile health?
Mobile health also known as M Health refers to using mobile devices to monitor and manage
health and wellness.
There are various ways in which mobile health can benefit seniors from monitoring medication
schedules to tracking physical activity.
One of the key benefits of mobile health is that it enables users to take an active role
in their own health care.
By tracking their health data, they can identify patterns and potential issues before they
become serious.
Many different types of mobile health apps and devices are available to seniors ranging
from simple pedometers to more advanced devices that track vital signs such as blood pressure
and heart rate.
Some mobile health devices can even alert emergency services if the user's fall or
experiences a medical emergency.
But let's start by exploring some of the more basic mobile health tools available to seniors.
First and foremost, there are countless apps available for tracking physical activities.
These apps can help users set fitness goals, track their progress, and receive reminders
to stay active.
Some popular fitness apps for seniors include MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, MapMyWalk.
Another important aspect of mobile health is medication managing.
Taking track of dosage and timing can be challenging for folks who take multiple medications.
Fortunately, there are apps available that can help seniors manage their medication.
Some popular medication management apps include Metasafe and Pill Reminder.
In addition to physical activity and medication management, mobile health can track important
health metrics such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Various mobile health devices are available that can measure these metrics and transmit
the data to a smartphone or tablet.
This allows seniors to keep track of their health over time and identify potential health
issues before they become serious.
But as with any technology, it is important to be aware of the potential privacy and security
concerns when using mobile health apps and devices.
It is always a good idea to research any app or device before downloading it or using it
to ensure that it is secure and trustworthy.
Mobile health has the potential to greatly benefit users by enabling them to take an
active role in their own health care.
Whether they are looking to track physical activity, manage medications, or monitor
vital signs, a mobile health app or device can help.
Another important aspect of mobile health is telemedicine.
Wayne, can you explain what that is and how it can benefit listeners?
Telemedicine refers to using telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical
health care from a distance.
This can include virtual appointments with doctors or specialists, remote monitoring
of vital signs or symptoms, or even telehealth coaching for weight loss or chronic disease
management.
Now, that sounds like a convenient option for seniors with difficulty traveling to appointments.
Are there any downsides or limitations to telemedicine?
Well, there are some concerns around privacy and security when sharing personal health information
online.
And, of course, telemedicine can only replace some in-person appointments, especially for
procedures or exams that require physical touch or examination.
But telehealth medicine can be a great option for routine checkups and some specialized
care.
That makes sense.
Are there any other mobile health technologies that seniors should be aware of?
As I mentioned earlier, there are many apps and devices available for users to monitor
and manage their health, such as blood pressure monitor, glucose meters, and medication reminders.
There are also apps for tracking nutrition, exercise, and sleep, as well as mental health
apps for managing stress and anxiety.
Wayne, it's amazing how much technology is available to help users take control of their
health.
That's impressive.
Can you recommend any mobile health apps for our listeners?
Sure.
As I may have mentioned, seniors can use numerous medical mobile health apps to manage their
health condition.
For example, there is MyFitnessPOW, which can help seniors track their diet and exercise
habits.
PillPAC can also help seniors manage their medication by providing reminders and delivering
them to their homes.
Those are great recommendations.
Before we wrap up, Wayne, do you have any final thoughts about mobile health for seniors?
Yes, mobile health technology can potentially improve seniors' quality of life by promoting
self-management of their health conditions.
However, seniors must use mobile health technology safely and responsibly to ensure they receive
the full benefits of these technologies.
Absolutely.
As with all of the information we share here, flex your Google search muscles, log into
our website, www.talking-tech.org, or call our helpline.
That number is 215-406-HELP.
That's 215-406-4357.
Well, I see that's all the time I have for today.
It has been my pleasure to be here and I look forward to the next time we can do it again.
I wish you all a farewell.
Talking Tech with Wayne podcast was produced by Grey Geek Productions, hosted by Margo
Jones and Wayne Hunter.
It was Transparser Blue Jazz by Stefan Cartonberg.