Using Telehealth Without Overwhelming Your Parent: A Step-by-Step Guide for Caregivers

Your parent’s doctor suggests a “video visit,” and you can almost see your parent’s shoulders tense.

They’re used to office visits. Waiting rooms. Paper gowns. Now suddenly it’s portals, apps, links, and logins.

Telehealth is not going away. Among adults aged 50 and older, approximately 73% used telehealth at least once in the past year, and 90% of these users reported satisfaction with the experience. At the same time, most still prefer in-person visits for personal connection and big decisions.

The good news: you don’t have to turn your parents into tech experts. With a simple plan, you can use telehealth some of the time, for the right kind of visits without overwhelming them or yourself.

This guide walks you through it, step by step.

Quick Answer: How Can Caregivers Use Telehealth Without Overwhelming a Parent?

If you only have a minute, here’s the short version:

• Choose the right visits. Use telehealth for follow-ups, refills, and simple questions—not emergencies or complex new problems.
• Keep tech simple. One device, one app or link, and clear written steps.
• Practice first. Do a short “test call” before the real visit.
• Stay nearby to help. With your parents’ permission, join the visit to handle tech and help with questions.
• Turn advice into action. After the visit, write down the plan and help with meds, tests, and follow-ups.

You don’t need to love technology. You just need a simple routine that fits your parent.

Step 1: Decide When Telehealth Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

Telehealth isn’t “better” or “worse” than in-person care. It’s just a different tool. The trick is knowing when to use it.

Good times to use telehealth:

• Routine follow-ups for stable conditions (blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol)
• Medication refills and checking on side effects
• Reviewing lab or imaging results
• Mild new symptoms the doctor wants to see or hear about first

Times to skip telehealth and go in person or call 911:

• Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, or severe bleeding
• A major fall or sudden weakness
• New, serious symptoms that clearly need a physical exam

Telehealth use among Medicare beneficiaries is still nearly twice as high as it was before the pandemic, but it’s mostly used alongside in-person care, not instead of it.

Caregiver script for scheduling:

“My parent has these symptoms. Is a video or phone visit okay, or should we come in person?”

Let the doctor’s office help you decide.

Step 2: Talk About Feelings Before You Talk About Apps

Before you explain portals and passwords, talk about how your parent feels about telehealth.

You might ask:

• “How do you feel about talking to the doctor by video or phone?”
• “What worries you most about doing visits this way?”

Common fears:

• “I don’t know how to use that stuff.”
• “I’m afraid the doctor won’t really understand me.”
• “I don’t want strangers looking into my house.”

Older adults often like convenience but dislike complexity or feeling “left behind” with technology.

You can respond by:

• Offering to be there the first few times.
• Saying clearly: “We can still do regular office visits, too.”
• Reassuring about privacy: you’ll choose a quiet room, close doors, and only use secure links from the doctor.

Step 3: Keep Technology as Simple as Possible

Many older adults struggle most with logging in and using the platform, not with talking to the doctor.

Make things as easy as you can:

Pick one device.

• Tablet with a larger screen, or
• Smartphone if they already use it daily, or
• Laptop or desktop if that feels most familiar

Pick one main way to connect.

• The practice’s telehealth link
• The patient portal app
• A secure video link sent by email or text

Set it up so they tap once.

• Put the app or link on the home screen
• Label it in simple words like “Dr. Smith Visit”
• Save passwords in a safe, simple way if possible

Write out step-by-step instructions in large print:

1. Turn on the device.
2. Tap this icon.
3. Enter this code or click this link.
4. Wait for the doctor to join.

Repeating the same simple routine builds confidence over time, especially for older adults who feel overwhelmed by too many digital tools.

Step 4: Prepare for a Telehealth Visit Like an In-Person Visit

A telehealth visit works best when you prepare in advance.

Make a short checklist:

• Top 2–3 concerns or symptoms
• Updated medication list, including vitamins and supplements
• Recent blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, or pain levels if you track them

Set up the space:

• Quiet room with the TV and radio off
• Good light on your parent’s face (a lamp in front of them, not behind)
• Device charged or plugged in
• Water and tissues nearby so they’re comfortable

Plan who will be there:

• Will you sit next to your parent?
• Join from another location using the same link?
• Call in on speakerphone if video is too much?

Older adults are more comfortable when they know what to expect and when someone they trust is nearby.

Step 5: Do a Short “Practice Visit” First

A quick test run removes a lot of fear.

Try this a day or two before the real visit:

• Use the same device and app or link your parent will use.
• Do a short video call with you as the pretend doctor.
• Practice:
  • Turning volume up and down
  • Muting and unmuting
  • Adjusting the camera so the doctor can see their face

Many older adults say that once they get past the tech hurdle, the actual telehealth conversation feels easy. But poor connections and confusion can make the experience frustrating.

If the office offers it, ask for a tech test or a staff member who can help your parent get set up. Some practices now have this built in for older patients.

Step 6: Support During the Visit, Without Taking Over

Right before the visit, ask your parent:

• “Do you want me to ask questions, or mostly listen and take notes?”
• “Is it okay if I remind the doctor about [specific issue]?”

At the start of the visit:

• Introduce yourself: “Hi, I’m Maria, John’s daughter. I’m here to help with tech and take notes.”
• Make sure your parent is in the camera frame and can hear clearly.

During the visit:

• Let your parent speak first when possible.
• Gently step in if something important is missed:
  • “Dad mentioned earlier that he’s been dizzy in the mornings. Can we talk about that too?”
• Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor to slow down or repeat key points.

Giving your parent the lead, while still providing support, respects their independence and keeps the visit from feeling like people are talking over them.

Step 7: After the Visit, Turn Advice Into a Clear Plan

Telehealth works best when the after part is clear.

Right after the visit, while it’s fresh:

• Write down:
  • Diagnosis or main takeaway in simple words
  • New medications, doses, and how often to take them
  • Any changes to existing meds
  • Tests, referrals, or follow-ups that were ordered
• Confirm:
  • How results will arrive (portal, phone call, mail)
  • Who will call if something is abnormal

Then help turn that into daily actions:

• Update the pillbox and any written schedules
• Put follow-up appointments on a calendar
• Add simple reminders (paper notes on the fridge, phone alarms, or both)

Research shows many patients, especially those with lower health literacy or chronic conditions—struggle to remember telehealth instructions without extra support.

You are that support.

Step 8: Troubleshooting Common Telehealth Problems

Even with a perfect plan, things go wrong. That doesn’t mean your parent “can’t do telehealth.”

Common issues and simple fixes:

• The link won’t work or video won’t connect.
  • Call the office. Ask if they can switch to a phone visit for today.
• Your parent can’t hear well.
  • Try wired earbuds or headphones they already use.
  • Check both device volume and app volume.
  • Ask the doctor to speak a little slower and louder.
• Your parent feels flustered or embarrassed.
  • Take a short pause.
  • Say, “This is new for almost everyone. You’re not the only one figuring it out.”
  • If needed, ask to reschedule or switch to a phone call.

Telehealth satisfaction is high overall, but up to 65% of patients report at least one barrier during visits, like connectivity issues, limited services, or security worries.
You’re not failing if you hit a snag. You’re normal.

Step 9: Respect Limits, Hybrid Care Is Okay

Telehealth is a tool, not a test your parent has to pass.

Signs telehealth may not be a great fit:

• Every visit ends in tears, anger, or confusion
• Significant hearing, vision, or memory issues make video stressful
• The tech platform keeps changing and feels like more work than it’s worth

If that’s happening:

• Talk with the doctor:
  • Ask if more visits can be in person.
  • See if a phone-only visit is acceptable when video is too hard, depending on current policies and coverage.
• Aim for a hybrid approach:
  • Use telehealth only when it clearly helps (refills, quick questions, simple follow-ups).
  • Keep in-person visits for new or serious concerns.

Telehealth is meant to make life easier, not harder.

Caregiver Checklist: Before Every Telehealth Visit

You can style this as a callout box or printable one-pager.

Tech

• We know which device we’re using (phone, tablet, computer).
• The app or link is easy to find on the home screen or in email/text.
• We did a quick test of camera and sound.

Environment

• The room is quiet and well lit.
• My parent is comfortable and can sit for 15–20 minutes.
• A charger is nearby in case the battery runs low.

Information

• We wrote down top 2–3 concerns.
• We have an updated list of medications and doses.
• We have recent readings (blood pressure, blood sugar, weight) if we track them.

Support

• My parents know if I’ll be on the call and how I’ll help.
• The doctor’s office phone number is handy in case the link fails.

After a few visits, this checklist will feel natural, and telehealth will feel more like “just another way to see the doctor,” not a huge project.

Key Takeaways for Caregivers

• Telehealth has become a normal part of healthcare for adults 50+, and most who try it are satisfied—but older adults still value in-person visits for personal connection and big decisions.
• You can protect your parent from feeling overwhelmed by:
  • Choosing the right type of visits for telehealth
  • Keeping technology extremely simple
  • Practicing before real appointments
  • Being present to help, without taking over
• Turning telehealth instructions into clear routines, meds, movement, and follow-ups is where caregivers make the biggest difference.
• It’s okay if telehealth is not perfect. The goal is not to replace in-person care, but to add another option that saves time and energy when it truly helps your parent.

Reference links

1. Telehealth comfort and satisfaction among adults 50+ – AARP (2024)
   https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/health/coverage-access/telehealth-health-care/
2. Preparing older adults for telehealth – Telehealth.HHS.gov
   (Technology basics, support during visits, audio-only options, limited access)
   https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-older-adults/preparing-older-adults-telehealth
3. Developing a telehealth strategy for older adults & incorporating caregivers – Telehealth.HHS.gov
   https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-older-adults/develop-telehealth-strategy
4. Telehealth for chronic conditions in older adults – Telehealth.HHS.gov
   (Why telehealth helps with frequent follow-ups and monitoring)
   https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/telehealth-older-adults/telehealth-chronic-conditions