Keeping Older Adults Healthy in Singapore: A Smart Approach

In Singapore, health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are becoming more common among older adults. These conditions need regular check-ups and care. But, the usual way of doing this, with in-person doctor visits, can miss some problems. This is because people might not always report symptoms or visit the doctor regularly. Plus, it can be hard for some to get to a clinic, especially if they live far away or have trouble moving around. A new idea is using technology to help. This is called telemonitoring. It means using devices to check health at home and send the information to doctors. This way, doctors can keep an eye on patients without them having to come in all the time. It's like a mix of physical and digital health care, or "phygital" as some call it. This can help more people, especially those who might not have easy access to healthcare services.But how well does this work? A recent study in Singapore looked at this. They set up a program where older adults could use these devices at home. The results showed that it could help manage health better. It also made people feel more in control of their health. But, there were some challenges too. Not everyone found the technology easy to use. And, some people needed more help to understand how to use it. The study also found that this kind of program can help reduce health inequalities. It can reach people who might not otherwise get the care they need. But, it's important to make sure everyone can use the technology. This might mean providing more training or support. So, while this "phygital" approach shows promise, there's still work to do. It's not just about the technology. It's also about making sure everyone can use it and benefit from it. This way, we can help more older adults stay healthy and independent.