College Student Volunteers to Provide Help to the Elderly [Via Telehealth Access]

College student Telehealth Access elderly

By Fatima Virrey , Parent Herald Aug 04, 07:00 am

Photo: (Photo : Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)

Summer has always been that time of the year that we plan for activities. College students, for example, prepare for their internships.

Lia Rubel from Vermont is one of those college students who thought it would be excellent to have an internship this summer. However, her plans went busted when the coronavirus pandemic happened. Most internships got canceled, so she thought she would be spending the rest of the summer glued to her phone.

A phone call changed all of that. Instead of browsing social media feeds, Lia is now part of Telehealth Access for Senior. The group aims to help seniors connect with their physicians (through Telehealth) and their families.

Telehealth Access for Seniors

The project saw the need for the elderly to have their medical requirements addressed. However, because the elderly are prone to contracting the coronavirus, going to the hospital sounds very risky.

In March, Telehealth Access for Seniors was launched. Those elderly who need a way to communicate with physicians are given a smartphone or a tablet.

As of writing, a total of 1,500 devices have been donated for this cause. There are more than 300 volunteers across 26 states in the country.

Telehealth Access for Seniors has also partnered with 75 clinics for their beneficiaries.

Joining the new initiative

Lia's friend phoned her about the initiative by Yale University students.

When Lia joined the initiative, she became the lead in Vermont. Since the beginning of this project, they have raised 800 US dollars and have 50 devices donated.

According to the 18-year-old college student, the cause creates connections among the elderly, the physicians, and their friends and families.

Also, Lia believes that this is more than about having a device. She said in an interview with Good News Network, "It's more than just a device. It's a vital connectivity tool, and it could save someone's life."

More than telehealth access

Besides talking with physicians, elderly who are provided with the gadgets are also encouraged to explore other wellness applications.

The elderly are also taught how to stay connected with their families through FaceTime.

The group believes that during the coronavirus pandemic, staying connected through "face to face" conversations can help the elderly not to feel lonely.

The Telehealth Access for Seniors also provides email tech support for the elderly to contact when encountering any problem.

For Lia, the coronavirus pandemic made her realize that technology is a crucial tool to help the elderly.

For those interested in donating or extending a helping hand, they could visit the Telehealth Access for Senior website.

The group is open for donations and volunteers. There are only a few forms to fill out and emails to send before becoming a worthy cause.