Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth clinics have opened up across the nation to keep people safe. By doing this, senior citizens have been left in the dust with older technology that cannot provide equal assistance as compared to in-person doctor visits. TeleHealth Access for Seniors , a nonprofit organization providing seniors with devices and tech support has worked to combat these issues. 

“The problem is that a lot of elderly or low-income patients don’t have access to smart devices,” Hannah Verma, co-founder of TeleHealth Access for Seniors, said. “So we’re trying to crowdsource old used devices so patients can access them and not get sick.”

According to Pew Research Center data in 2019, only 53 percent of people over the age of 65 own a smart device. Forty-two percent of people over the age of 65 own a smart device in Texas. CDC data shows that eight in 10 COVID-19 related deaths are people over the age of 65. According to TeleHealth for Seniors, creating a TeleHealth communication system decreases hospitalizations, increases activeness, and reduces wellness costs.

“Texas as [a] whole ranks last in access to mental health services among all 50 states,” Sidh Pandit, co-founder of TeleHealth Access for Seniors, said. “We want to contribute to efforts to increase accessibility in our community by enabling more people to access these services virtually.”

Since the organization started in March, TeleHealth Access for Seniors has already expanded to 92 clinics in 26 states, donated over 2,300 devices to patients, and raised over $100,000. In Texas, the organization has partnered with many local businesses and clinics such as Meals on Wheels Central Texas, El Buen Samaritano Clinic, Dallas Heart and Vascular Consultants, and Heritage Park Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. From there, clinics can give their donated smart devices to seniors who don’t have access to them at home. 

“We provide patients with a sanitized smart device, charger, and step by step instructions on how to use the device,” Dr. Gauruv Gupta at Dallas Heart and Vascular Consultants in Dallas, Texas said. “Setting up appointments and calling our patients is pretty simple. So far, we haven’t had any problems or complaints in online calls.”

In Austin, volunteers have been contacting local businesses and banks, as well as doing activities such as yard work and host debate tournaments to receive donations.

“As a volunteer at TeleHealth for Seniors, my responsibility is to help fundraise and collect electronic device donations that are donated to clinics who give them to senior patients who are less fortunate and need a way to communicate with clinics,” Nirup Kushalnagar ‘22 said. “In Austin, we have recently done lots of yard work and raised $1,500 which was matched with Visa making the total $3,000.”

As of now, the organization’s short term goal is to receive a total of 3,000 devices, find corporate sponsors, and recruit more volunteers. Their long term goal includes connecting young people to senior citizens for companionship, bringing digital connectivity to rural areas, and to advocate telehealth support in Congress.