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My First Virtual or Telehealth Doctor Visit

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robotic man looking into a mirror simulating a virtual or Telehealth doctor visit

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

We all read the same headlines. COVID-19 infections are reaching record highs throughout the country. And, while the vaccine is starting to roll out earlier than expected, most Americans will experience the impact of COVID-19 at least for several more months. Winter is a particularly difficult time since it’s historically our cold and flu season.

That’s why I decided to change my last doctor visit, just before Thanksgiving, to a virtual one.

Telehealth is not new (believe it or not, medical professionals wrote about using the telephone in 1879 – just 3 years after Bell invented it), but it is gaining significantly in popularity. A July 2019 survey reported that only 9.6% of U.S. adults have used telehealth options. By May 2020, that number had grown to 42%. 

The biggest obstacle to telehealth appears to be lack of knowledge about virtual medical visits. I was fortunate that my family doctor advertised on his website that he offers virtual visits. I just called to convert my in-person office visit to telehealth. Here are a few things you should probably know:

  1. Telehealth is more than just a telephone conversation. The doctor will probably want to see you as well as talk with you. Think of it more like a Zoom meeting. Because of video, there may be limitations on the type of technology your doctor can accommodate so ask about your specific phone or computer when you make the appointment.
  1. Just like at an office visit, your doctor will want to know a few things about your current health up front. I was asked to provide my temperature, blood pressure, weight, and blood oxygen level. Fortunately, I own a blood pressure monitor and a finger pulse oximeter. And different offices may request different things so find out up front what information you need to provide.
  1. Not every insurance company accepts telehealth visits, so make sure your insurance will cover it. The major insurance companies all offer some form of coverage, but options can vary depending on specific plans. State laws also cover telehealth differently. 

My doctor’s assistant called me fifteen minutes before my appointment to make sure I was able to log-in. You will need a high-speed internet connection and video access via a smart phone, tablet, or computer. Don’t worry, if you can stream movies you have enough technology to get through a telehealth visit.

The actual doctor part was pretty much the same as an in-office visit, except that it was through video. We talked about my bloodwork, discussed my general health since my last appointment, and he answered a few of my questions. I didn’t really have anything that I needed him to look at or listen to, so my experience may differ from yours.

A recent survey shows that 48% of adults say that they or someone in their household either postponed or passed up medical appointments since COVID-19. Telehealth visits may offer an effective solution. We all just have to get comfortable with it. Once we do that, it could be a great solution that extends far beyond the pandemic.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Why Voting Matters – #Election2020

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wall art about voting saying just do it

I’d like to think that everyone knows there’s an election coming up in the United States. And like all elections, the outcomes are important. Some might argue that this year is even more important. I’m not going to get into that today except to say that even if you vote regularly, I hope you will take the time to finish reading today’s post.

I was a political science major in college, so I like reading and staying up on politics and the news. Which I will admit can be a bit challenging at times. A few months ago, Keith bought me a book titled “OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?” by Ben Sheehan. Whether or not you’ve read the Constitution, this is an educational and fun read. It contains both the actual text as well as a casual interpretation. I hadn’t read the Constitution in a long time and it was a good refresher. 

Shortly after finishing Sheehan’s book, I heard about another book…this one about voting. Kim Wehle is a professor of law and legal expert. She wrote the book “What You Need to Know About Voting and Why”. Needless to say, I had to get a copy.

While I’ve been voting for a long time, I really enjoyed this book for a few reasons. It’s a book that talks about both the mechanics and complexities of voting. The book delves into whether or not we have a “right” to vote, how to qualify to vote, and how voting impacts government. I’ve never questioned my ability to vote ever nor have I ever had anyone question my ability to cast a vote. (Yes, my white privilege is showing.) That’s not the case for everyone and this book does a good job of explaining how voter suppression has happened over time and still exists today. It also talks about money in elections and if you ever wanted to know the difference between individual contributions, political action committees (aka PACs), and Super PACs…this book will clarify it for you.

The book was also helpful in sharing how older Americans who need assistance can have a caregiver help them vote and how individuals with disabilities can make sure they’re able to vote with accommodations. Finally, the book offers suggestions about what to do if for whatever reason you’re turned away from a voting precinct (and it could be because of what you’re wearing – and, yes, they can do so legally). 

Voting is important. Our votes elect individuals who create laws that impact our personal and professional lives. I’m not just talking about major pieces of legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Right now, an elected school board official is deciding whether or not our kids or grandkids should go back to school in person or online. That’s pretty darn important. 

I’m not trying to give you the hard sell on buying this book. I did think it’s really good and it will have a permanent spot on my bookshelf (next to Sheehan’s book about the Constitution). That being said, there is one quote from the book that I want to share.

“As far back as 1886, the Supreme Court has repeatedly declared that the right to vote is ‘fundamental’ because it is ‘preservative of all rights.’ Without the right to vote, individuals can’t hold government officials accountable for breaking other laws.” 

Wehle suggests thinking about our ability to vote as an accountability tool. Without it, government officials could feel – and act – as if they’re above the law. 

A recent AARP study showed that Americans 50 years of age and older would be the world’s third-largest economy if they were counted as their own country. You can imagine the economic impact of this demographic and the power they have in the voting booth. I’m not here to tell you how to vote. But I do hope you will take the time to learn the voting laws in your state, get educated on the issues, and make a plan to go vote. What happens on November 3, 2020 will have a long-term impact on us as individuals as well as our plans for retirement.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Gainesville, FL

Make a FINAL File for Your Loved Ones

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Quote box saying organization shall set you free including planning your final wishes

I know it’s a terrible time to be writing this post. Or maybe, depending on how you look at it, it’s the perfect time. 

I ran across an article in TIME titled, “Why You Need to Make a ‘When I Die’ File – Before It’s Too Late”. It’s a good read that you should check out. It reminded me of the article I wrote recently on “Loved Ones Must Know Your Health Care Wishes” and how important it is to plan a little for the future. 

Talking about illness and death isn’t fun. None of us want to do it. I remember every time we visited my father-in-law, he would at some point have the “When I die…” conversation. On one hand, you dread it. That’s not why you came to visit. It’s to enjoy his company. But when his health did start failing, we were prepared. And it allowed us to focus on making his final days comfortable versus worrying about papers, insurance, etc.

The gist of the TIME article was to put all of those things that someone might want or need in a file. It could be a paper file or an electronic one. That’s up to you. But think about what you might want to share with someone. I kinda like calling it a FINAL file versus “When I Die” folder. You can figure out what you want to call it. Here are a few things to consider:

Family traditions. One of the things that struck me in the TIME article was that a mother included her famous family recipes in her FINAL file. I could totally see that being important to her children. How many traditions are passed along from generation to generation? And how many of those famous meals are simply in someone’s head?

Estate and household paperwork. Make sure your will, power of attorney, and health care directives are someplace where people can access them. Also make sure that whoever will be handling your affairs knows where your bills are because they have to take care of paying your final utilities bills, credit cards, etc. 

Directions on how to access your digital life. In today’s very technology driven world, chances are we have cell phones and computers. They’re probably locked with passcodes and should be changed regularly. I know that I don’t want to let a bunch of people know every time I change a password. But it could make sense for me to keep all of my passwords in a password management program with instructions how to access it in my FINAL file. 

Final letters to loved ones. Depending on your situation, you might want to draft final letters to relatives and have them in your FINAL file. Maybe to a spouse, child or grandchild. Possibly to someone who you haven’t spoken with in a long time. Entirely your decision, but nonetheless, a decision you should think about. 

The goal here isn’t to do all of this at once. Which is exactly why you want to start this project earlier than you might think. But maybe take an hour each month to start thinking about it and putting it together. This could be a good project for us to remember all of the estate planning we need to do. And it will ultimately be helpful for our family and friends at some point in the future.

Quote from Chef Alton Brown captured by Sharlyn Lauby 

Examining the New Normal After COVID-19

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this is your moment sign in Atlanta implying the new normal

You have probably been reading and hearing the term “new normal” a lot lately. Wikipedia indicates that “new normal” became popular as a business term to describe the financial conditions following the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Today, the term is frequently used to describe the period following the COVID-19 pandemic – specifically, as we emerge from shelter-in-place restrictions. It references the social and economic changes that will impact most of us moving forward.

But what can we expect from this “new normal”?

Clean is the new green – we’ve learned since childhood that cleanliness prevents illness and that message was abundantly clear as COVID-19 spread across the globe. Experts agree that simple precautions such as sneezing and coughing into your elbow, frequent hand washing, and cleaning frequently used surfaces will continue as areas of focus. Consumers may even be even more critical of business cleanliness when they decide which restaurant or hotel to use. Some like immunologist and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci think this may even be the end of the handshake.

Age in place, but with a little more space – it’s possible that retirees who had been considering downsizing to age in place may be rethinking that strategy in the new normal. Smaller condominiums or apartments which offered a little cost savings may be viewed as undesirable due to density of population in those structures. That also extends to the location, as less populated rural settings are being viewed as more attractive over urban or even suburban settings.

“Economic Darwinism” for some but a rebirth for others – Economic Darwinism is the concept that there will be an economic elimination of antiquated industries. For example, while many have been holding onto their paper magazine or newspaper subscription, that option may be a little closer to extinction. Though digital media also has expense limitations, it is far more cost effective in the new normal. Another casualty may be the buffet restaurant as diners steer clear of exposure to multiple hands. And though the neighborhood multiplex theater may be closed, many areas are seeing new interest in drive-in movies which provide built-in social distancing.

Staying home or the new travel – as sheltering restrictions are lifted, we have the opportunity to venture out. But will we? And, if we do, what will that look like? Cruise lines are still grounded, and most expect to stay that way until late July or August. Rental shares like Airbnb are being overlooked in favor of hotels with more rigorous cleaning protocols. Given all that, many are simply choosing to stay home. In fact, home goods stores are reporting significant growth as homeowners try to fix their place up.

One thing we know for sure right now is that things are changing. And they may change again with the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 cases in the fall and winter. Fortunately, medical professional are working on treatments and vaccines, but that could take months or even years.

If you are a planner like us, you probably already know that we’re not going back to the way things were. And you might feel a little frustrated by the speed of change as we begin our entrance into the post COVID-19 era. But we can focus on our lessons learned to protect ourselves and our loved ones. It’s a bold New Normal, but we’re up to the task!

Loved Ones Must Know Your Health Care Wishes

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wall art heart showing for health care let all you do be done in love

I’m sure that no one wants to read today’s article, but I’m hoping you will. 

This is not an “older person” article. It’s also not a “pandemic” article. It’s also not about having a will – although that’s a good idea. It’s not meant to cause alarm or panic. But if there was ever a time to say to ourselves, “If I got sick, do my family and friends know my health care wishes?” now would be that time. 

I’m saying this a bit tongue in cheek, but when Buzzfeed…you know, Buzzfeed as the source for all of those cutesy quizzes that fill our Facebook page…when Buzzfeed publishes an article titled “The Four Legal Documents that Everyone Needs to Plan for Their Future”, then pay attention. I don’t want to give the whole article away, but here are three of the documents they mention:

A living will is a written statement detailing how you would like your medical and health care treatment to be handled in the event that you’re unable to express it yourself. 

A healthcare proxy is a document that says who can make healthcare decisions on your behalf, when you’re not able to do so. 

A power of attorney is a written authorization for someone to represent you or act on your behalf when it comes to business or financial affairs. 

As you can see, these documents are very inter-related. It might take some time to figure out how you would like your health care treatment handled and who you would like to be your spokesperson. You also have to figure out if the person making the decisions about your medical treatments should be your power of attorney. And then of course, there’s the decision of backups in case your first choice isn’t willing or able to take on this responsibility. 

The point being, the process of putting these documents in place takes time. It’s also recommended to have an attorney create these documents for you, so you have to budget for that. The ideal time to do all of this is when you’re not under the pressure of having to do it. This requires careful consideration.

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but my father-in-law was the ultimate planner when it came to his health care and final wishes. He talked to us for years about it. When his health started to decline, we all knew his wishes and there were no questions. There were no squabbles amongst family members about decisions. Everyone was focused on the same things. 

As a result of COVID-19, I have a few friends who have already begun conversations with their children about their medical wishes should they become ill. I realize that no one wants to do this. But it can be a big relief to everyone to have these health care conversations and draw up these documents so there’s no confusion about what to do and who will be in charge of decision making. 

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Gainesville, FL