How Artificial Intelligence is Improving Remote Healthcare for Seniors

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a transformative force across various sectors, and healthcare is no exception. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is one of the many areas reaping the benefits of AI integration. RPM allows healthcare providers to track and supervise patients’ health data outside the traditional clinical setting. This approach enhances patient care in ways especially beneficial for people over 65.

RPM: A Brief Explanation

RPM collects health data using digital technology and FDA-approved devices like pulse oximeters, blood glucose meters, blood pressure thermometers, peak flow meters, and weighing scales and electronically transmits it to a remote healthcare team for assessment and recommendations. Blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose information instantly travel from patient to provider to continuously monitor patient health, enable timely intervention, and reduce the need for frequent in-person visits.

The Role of AI in RPM

Integrating AI into RPM systems amplifies their capabilities in the following ways:

• Data analysis and early detection: AI algorithms process vast amounts of information, including health data, almost immediately, identifying patterns and anomalies that could indicate potential health issues. Therefore, wearable devices that employ AI to monitor vital signs can foster healthier lifestyles among older adults, engaging them in their care and offering individualized treatment plans on telemedicine platforms.
• Predictive analytics: AI analyzes a patient’s historical and current data to forecast potential health events and proactively manage conditions.
• Personalized care:  AI “learns” from its robust data collection, enabling it to facilitate the creation of custom care plans with tailored interventions for individual patient needs. Additionally, RPM systems are increasingly incorporating more AI functions into their programs, which may include call center service, patient check-ins, and routine chronic care management (CCM) assessments. AI representatives can also interface with clients as the first point of contact to determine their needs before passing them to a human clinician.

Enhancing the Patient Experience for Seniors

AI-enhanced RPM offers numerous advantages for seniors, including:

• Convenience and comfort: Frequent in-person check-ups can be difficult and draining for seniors, especially those suffering from chronic conditions like heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). RPM significantly reduces the need for in-office visits, allowing seniors to receive care from the comfort of home or anywhere. Additionally, RPM programs enhance the communication between patient and provider, leading to increased patient satisfaction.
• Early detection and prevention: Continuous monitoring can identify concerning trends in vital signs and alert patients and their providers before a serious health event occurs. As a result, patients feel safe and supported.
• Empowerment and engagement: With an aging population and a shortage of healthcare providers, RPM offers an innovative solution to a numbers issue. Through RPM, providers can efficiently deliver care to more individuals. RPM programs featuring AI medical assistance enable older adults to easily obtain the support they need, with valuable educational insights about their health. Furthermore, RPM encourages patients to engage in their care as they record and monitor their data within the system.

Challenges and Considerations of AI 

While the benefits of AI integrations in RPM systems are undeniable, there are some challenges to overcome.

• Data privacy and security: Deploying RPM systems outside controlled healthcare facilities and in patient homes can involve third-party platform providers incorporating videoconferencing, cloud, and internet technologies. AI processes vast amounts of sensitive patient data. Securely transmitting and storing that data is imperative for complying with security and privacy regulations. Moreover, seniors are often the target of cyberattacks, identity theft, scams, and fraud. Enhanced cybersecurity measures like data encryption are intrinsic to gaining and maintaining their trust for a successful RPM program.
• Technical literacy: Some seniors may struggle with advanced technologies necessitating user-friendly equipment and interfaces and adequate support systems.
• Integration with existing systems: Because many hospitals and clinics still use legacy electronic health records (EHRs), they can be unequipped to communicate with AI-driven monitoring tools. For example, while an AI-driven RPM system may detect early indicators of heart failure from a senior’s vital signs, the receiving EHR must be able to respond with an alert to the provider to be effective. Continuity of care depends on the seamless integration of AI-RPM solutions with traditional healthcare systems.
• Patient hesitation:  Some patients may feel uncomfortable with a healthcare model that uses AI for administering care and cite the loss of human touch as a pain point. However, for those who need regular care and follow-up, medication reminders, and help with chronic care management, AI can help increase adherence and streamline the process, addressing basic patient needs quickly. Reluctant patients should understand that AI augments human care. It does not replace it. Human clinicians intercept complex and urgent issues for a more efficient, enhanced level of care.

The advancements in healthcare with AI-integrated RPM programs are rapidly evolving, with AI playing a role in an increasing number of functions. For older adults and those suffering from chronic illness, RPM-AI systems can enhance the quality of care, reduce hospital admissions, increase adherence, and engage patients in their care. Moreover, patients get attention and support through AI’s reminder, follow-up, and check-in functions, while a helpful, sympathetic voice immediately addresses their basic concerns when they call.

To learn more about RPM devices and CCM through Nsight, click HERE to schedule a demo today. Whether you are a patient or provider looking to learn more about RPM, we would love to hear from you.