Telehealth Expanding To 8 UC Senior Housing Complexes

Telehealth services are expanding to eight low income senior housing complexes across the Upper Cumberland.

UCDD’s Area Agency on Aging and Disability and the Cumberland Regional Development Corporation are partnering to make it happen. Agency Director Holly Williams said Cookeville’s Laurel Creek is the first location taking advantage.

“Many of the seniors were not following up with their physician visits as they typically would because one public transit,” Williams said. “Maybe not wanting to utilize that system and possibly being exposed to others and then, being in a doctor’s office.”

Williams said the Cookeville location is being used as a pilot with the other seven locations starting installation next month. Williams said the telehealth stations will allow up to 160 senior residents to see a physician without leaving their complex.

“In a private setting, they will be able to log on to a computer and conduct a telehealth visit,” Williams said. “This will prevent them from having to utilize public transit for those that are not able to drive themselves. Sometimes getting to the doctor, especially if it is a physician outside of the Upper Cumberland, can be a challenge.”

Williams said the project costs about $12,000, which was paid through the CARES Act. Williams said technology purchased includes computers, webcams and accessories for those with disabilities.

“We are hoping by the end of May that all the telehealth stations will be set up at the senior housing complexes,” Williams said.

Williams said the agency wants to expand telehealth even further for senior center locations once they fully reopen. These are the seven other housing locations receiving telehealth capabilities: Shenandoah (Lafayette), Fiddler’s Manor (Smithville), Fiddler’s Manor Annex (Smithville),  Hilltop Manor (Woodbury), South Carthage Manor (Carthage), Golden Oaks (McMinnville) and Hillcrest (Byrdstown).