With Queensland experiencing everything from intense heatwaves to cyclones and floods so far this summer, it has created additional hurdles for older people needing medical care: power outages and flooding during storms and cyclones hinder care delivery and access to facilities, while extreme temperatures worsen health conditions, which particularly impacts the over 65s.
So telehealth (aka phone and video consultations) is proving to be a crucial service for older Queenslanders, even in the most remote, cut off parts of the State.
This is why the nation’s largest telehealth technology provider, Coviu, has joined forces with valued client, BlueCare - one of Queensland’s biggest aged care providers - to reassure older Queenslanders that no matter the weather, or your location, you can receive the care you need at the click of a button in the safety of your own home.
"BlueCare is dedicated to ensuring our clients can access the help they need no matter where they live. Our telehealth service via easy-to-use Coviu technology is a huge part of this,” says Jane Anderson, Telehealth Manager.
“Our trained health professionals perform clinical assessments via video, they also support clients to access the Coviu consultations, providing ongoing confidence to connect via telehealth.
“Coviu has furthered the reach of Blue Care specialised services, such as continence advisory Nursing, Psychology, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology and Occupational Therapy, into the remote corners of Queensland, working with clients to stay connected, all in the safety of their own home."
For those worried that the tech will be tricky to use, Head of Research at Coviu, Dr Annie Banbury, has more reassurance: “We know it’s essential that the technology is easy for older people to use.
“And it is. The health professional simply sends a link to their client and with one click they’re taken through to their video consultation.
“There is no need to download an app or sign up and create an account. It’s the perfect solution for anyone with limited digital literacy,” she added.
Something BlueCare client Wendy Morgan, 73, from Bribie Island, found after utilising the Coviu telehealth tech for the first time. Wendy has mobility issues and COPD meaning she struggles to leave the house. To have an expert on hand via video was ideal. “I had Occupational Therapy and my OT, Flynn, was able to easily assess my mobility needs via video and recommend the right solutions,” Wendy explained. “I just clicked a link on my tablet – it was as simple as that. The Coviu technology is easy to use and the quality of the video was perfect. I actually felt like Flynn was in the room with me.”
Having a video assessment at home also meant that Wendy’s daughter, Samantha, could be there to help Wendy understand and remember things, which was another huge plus point for them both.
“I’d recommend it to anyone like me who struggles to leave the house for any reason, or who is in a regional or remote area,” Wendy added. “It’s such a relief knowing that there’s easily
accessible services offered by BlueCare using such great technology. It makes life easier when you have health issues.”
For further information or to arrange an interview with anyone from Coviu about the future of telehealth: Sophie Kessler, Marketing Manager, Coviu, sophie@coviu.com, +61 479 093 188
About Coviu:
Coviu is a globally trusted telehealth provider, committed to making healthcare accessible, efficient, and safe. The company's user-friendly telehealth platform connects healthcare professionals with their patients, allowing for remote consultations, assessments, and ongoing care management. Coviu's secure and compliant technology ensures the protection of sensitive patient data, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of healthcare providers.
For more information about Coviu and their telehealth solutions, please visit www.coviu.com/aged-care
About BlueCare
BlueCare is Australia’s leading aged care provider delivering a range of healthcare services to older people, including services in the community, via a combination of virtual and face-to-face consultations. Having recently won the Reader’s Digest 2023 Gold Quality Service Award for Home Care in Queensland, the organisation is a leader in best practices for aged care delivery.
Virtual care is a safe and effective way to treat residents at home and can be used to deliver a wide range of services. With the aid of telehealth-trained practitioners, clients can access home medicine reviews, remote patient monitoring and allied health providers such as physiotherapists, dieticians, and other therapists under My Aged Care packages. Nurses and practitioners providing home visits can leverage telehealth to virtually bring in other specialists or seek senior advice, escalating health concerns more effectively where required.
www.bluecare.org.au/home-care