Tele-Rehabilitation in Community-Dwelling Older People with Reduced Functional Capacity: A 4-Patient Case Report

Abstract

Tele-rehabilitation (TR) can limit physical contact in older patients if long transportation times or physical attendance challenges their health. Digital literacy decreases with age, which might interfere with geriatric patients’ ability to benefit from TR. The purpose was to describe the TR intervention, adherence to training sessions, and level of digital literacy. TR via videoconferencing was delivered both individually and in groups where more were challenged by joining training outside their homes. Improvements in functional capacity were found. Combining individual and group exercises, high adherence to the TR programme was achieved. Digital literacy was on par with younger adult computer users. Individual-and group TR sessions might secure high adherence to the exercise programme. Digital literacy at a certain level might be a prerequisite when supplied with both oral and written material Suggestions on how to raise older people’s digital literacy to use telehealth solutions in the future are provided.