• 21 Oct, 2025
• SendClinic
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Common Health Issues in Seniors That Telehealth Treats

Estimated read time: 7–8 minutes

TL;DR: Telehealth is great for day-to-day concerns—colds/flu, rashes, pink eye, UTIs (screening and treatment when appropriate), medication refills, blood-pressure and diabetes tune-ups, mood/sleep issues, and follow-ups after hospital visits. Use in-person or emergency care for severe symptoms (trouble breathing, chest pain, stroke signs, heavy bleeding, new confusion).

What telehealth can handle well

1) Respiratory & minor infections

• Colds/flu/COVID-19: symptom plans, at-home test guidance, antivirals when appropriate, return-to-activity advice.
• Sinus/ear pain & sore throat: targeted questions to reduce unnecessary antibiotics; home-care tips; when an in-person look or testing is needed.
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis): video diagnosis is often sufficient; drops prescribed when appropriate.

2) Urinary & digestive

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): symptom review, risk check, urine test orders if needed, and treatment plans.
• Constipation, reflux, heartburn: lifestyle and medication guidance; warning signs for in-person evaluation.

3) Chronic condition tune-ups

• High blood pressure: review 7-day home logs, adjust doses, teach cuff technique.
• Diabetes: review glucose/CGM patterns, adjust meds, foot-care coaching, lab orders.
• COPD/Asthma: inhaler and spacer technique checks, action plans, refills.
• Heart failure: daily weight strategy, diuretic plans, salt/fluid coaching, thresholds to call in.
• Thyroid & cholesterol: medication adjustments and lab follow-up.

4) Skin, eyes, and allergies

• Rashes, eczema, shingles concerns, insect bites: photo/video review; creams or antivirals when indicated; when to see dermatology.
• Dry eye/blepharitis & allergic rhinitis: step-wise treatment, device tips (warm compress, humidifier), and when to seek eye exam.

5) Pain, mobility & bone health

• Osteoarthritis flares, back/neck pain: safe pain plans, heat/ice/activity guidance, home exercises, and physical therapy referrals.
• Fall-risk screening: balance strategies, home-safety checklists, and DME referrals (cane, grab bars).

6) Mood, sleep & memory

• Depression/anxiety/insomnia: brief screening tools, medication options when appropriate, and therapy/sleep-clinic referrals.
• Memory concerns: history from family/caregiver, basic cognitive screening, labs/imaging orders, community resources.

7) Medication & care coordination

• Refills and deprescribing: reconcile bottles, simplify schedules, check interactions.
• Post-hospital follow-ups: review discharge plan, clarify meds, watch for complications, arrange labs and specialty follow-ups.

What telehealth can start online (with a local step)

• Vaccines sent to a nearby pharmacy (flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, Tdap, RSV if eligible).
• Labs & imaging orders (A1c, lipids, thyroid, urine tests, chest X-ray, bone density, mammogram/colon screening referrals).
• Home test kits where available (stool test for colon cancer screening, some STI kits).
• Specialist referrals and electronic consults.

When telehealth is not enough (go in person or ER)

• Chest pain/pressure; severe shortness of breath; blue or gray lips/face
• One-sided weakness, facial droop, trouble speaking; sudden severe headache
• Fainting, new or rapidly worsening confusion
• Heavy bleeding; severe abdominal pain; vomiting that won’t stop
• Fever in a very young infant visiting the home (for caregivers)
• High blood pressure ≥180/120 with concerning symptoms (chest pain, breathlessness, severe headache, vision changes)

A simple pre-visit checklist (print or save)

• Medication list or bottles (name, dose, how often) + allergies
• Home numbers:
  • Blood pressure (two readings, morning/evening for a few days)
  • Blood sugar/CGM summary if you track
  • Weight (especially for heart failure)
  • Oxygen level and temperature if available
• Symptoms: when they started, what helps/worsens, any home tests done
• Pharmacy & insurance info handy
• Care partner: invite a trusted family member if you’d like help

Home toolkit that makes telehealth visits better

• Upper-arm blood-pressure monitor (automatic, right cuff size)
• Thermometer
• Weight scale (same time daily)
• Glucose meter/CGM if you have diabetes
• Pulse oximeter (helpful for lung/heart conditions)
• Inhalers + spacer if you have COPD/asthma
• Pill organizer and a simple health log (paper or app)

Condition playbooks (quick reference)

High Blood Pressure

• Sit 5 minutes, feet flat, arm at heart level; two readings 1 minute apart; log the second.
• Share a 7-day average at visits; ask about goal numbers and side-effects.

Diabetes

• Bring fasting and post-meal values (or CGM trends).
• Ask for a sick-day plan; keep low-blood-sugar treatment handy.

COPD/Asthma

• Demonstrate inhaler + spacer on camera to check technique.
• Know your action plan (green/yellow/red steps) and when to escalate.

Heart Failure

• Daily morning weights; call if +2–3 lb overnight or +5 lb/week.
• Review salt/fluid limits and diuretic instructions.

UTI Symptoms

• Share onset, burning/urgency, fever/chills, back pain, and hydration.
• A urine test may be arranged; treatment plans are tailored to symptoms and history.

Tips for easier video visits

• Sit in a quiet, well-lit spot with the light in front of you.
• Prop the device at eye level; plug it in or charge it first.
• Use headphones if hearing is tough; enable captions if available.
• Keep glasses, hearing aids, and device chargers nearby.
• If video freezes, rejoin the link or switch to audio—your clinician will still help.

Caregiver corner

• Ask about proxy access so you can help schedule and view instructions.
• Keep a shared note with medication list, diagnoses, and emergency contacts.
• Join the visit to provide history and help with next-step planning.

How SendClinic can help

• Same-day video visits for common issues
• Refills and medication reviews to simplify regimens
• Action plans for blood pressure, diabetes, COPD/asthma, and heart failure
• Orders for labs/imaging and referrals when an in-person step is needed
• Clear, written instructions and follow-ups so nothing falls through the cracks

Educational content only. This article isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Always follow your clinician’s guidance and local emergency instructions.