Telehealth Changes Could Help Rural Seniors Age in Place

[Commentary] Telemedicine providers can’t catch senior citizens when they fall. But health services delivered over broadband can make it possible for seniors to live independently for longer periods of time. For all of the potential that telehealth holds for assisting the aging-in-place process, telehealth’s success rides squarely on the back of quality broadband in the community. Municipal fiber networks can drive telehealth and broadband use. Small towns such as Wilson (NC) and Sebewaing (MI) with gigabit capacity infrastructure, keep subscribers happy. But even networks with speeds of 50-100 Megabits per second are fast enough for smaller populations. Telehealth vendors and community network builders should consider theirs a symbiotic relationship that benefits communities. There are signs that telehealth is taking hold. Along with last week’s proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services to reimburse for telehealth came news that the Federal Communications Commission might commit $100 million for telehealth from the Universal Service Fund. With more use of telehealth may come more independence for America’s seniors.

[Craig Settles consults with municipalities and co-ops about their broadband networks’ business and marketing plans]