Telehealth

Telehealth is a way to receive healthcare (and mental health care) services digitally. Telehealth allows you to video or phone conference with your provider through computers, tablets, or smartphones to virtually connect to your doctor, counselor, or case manager without leaving your home. (National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers). Telehealth is a way to receive care from your provider while you remain at home. It can help keep you and your family safe by staying away from clinic and waiting rooms. The goal of Appleseed is to ensure that you receive the same high-quality care that you would get by coming in for a visit.

If you’ve never had a health care visit that wasn’t in-person, it might be hard to picture what the visit will be like. A video visit is the closest option to an in-person visit. And the goal is to make the telehealth visit as much like an in-person visit as possible.

Benefits to Telehealth

Safety — reduces everyone’s exposure during COVID-19
Convenience
Time-saving — no need to commute
Save on travel/transportation costs
Reduces wait time for services

Sources : Telehealth.HHS.Gov and CDC

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What Equipment Do I Need?

To participate in Telehealth, you will need stable internet and a computer, tablet, or smartphone are all that’s needed to use telehealth.

One of the biggest barriers that prevents patients from doing telehealth is not being able to afford the cost of internet or phone services. Federal and non-profit organizations may be able to help.

Lifeline Support — from the Universal Service Administrative Company

Source: Telehealth.HHS.Gov

Setting up a video visit

If you’re using video to talk with a provider, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to help the visit run smoothly.

Choose a spot with plenty of light. If you’re using the camera on your phone, try turning on the flash if necessary.
Make sure the camera is steady. This will be easier if you’re using a computer or laptop. To keep a phone steady, prop it up on a desk or table.
Get comfortable. You’ll have an easier time focusing on the visit if your body is comfortable. This is another reason to prop up your phone — your arm will get pretty tired if you’re trying to hold the phone out in front of you during your visit.
Reduce background noise. This can be tricky when there are a lot of people in the house. But if you can, find a quiet activity for the kids — or your roommates — in a separate room.
Close other applications. Some applications will slow down your internet connection. And even if they don’t, closing them will cut down on distractions.

Adopted from: Telehealth.HHS.Gov

Contact Appleseed's office to schedule a Telehealth visit at 419-281-3716

Recent Updates

Mental Health Spring Cleaning

Spring is here. As we watch the crocus poke through the ground and enjoy more and more daylight, it's a good time to recommit ourselves to our mental health care. Do some mental health spring cleaning. Identify a habit that prevents you from being your best. It could be the habit of criticizing others or negative self-talk. Whatever it is, commit yourself to being self-aware and to quickly replacing the behavior with a healthy alternative. Plan ahead and be ready. Speak a word of praise instead of criticism or replace negativity with encouragement. With a steady effort, you can change that habit that is holding you back.

Wellness and Recovery

One of the things that can raise our anxiety is how we choose to think about our problems. In our modern culture we see our stressors as bad and something to be avoided. Previous generations took the position that our adversities are things that teach us life lessons and make us stronger. So let me encourage us today to examine the circumstances we are in and begin to ask “what can I learn about myself from this?” How can I use these stressors to make me a better person? By doing this I can make what was causing me anxiety into something that gives me strength.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is sexual assault awareness month. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network reports that every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Sexual assault can range from harassment to direct physical sexual abuse. Everyone has a role to play in preventing sexual assault. There are many different ways that you can step in or make a difference if you see someone at risk. The key to keeping others safe is learning how to intervene in a way that fits the situation and your comfort level. Do what you can to interrupt the situation. A simple distraction can give the person at risk a chance to get to a safe place.

Outstanding environment for employees! Loved every minute of my time with Appleseed.