Remote Care & Telehealth Solution for Seniors During the Covid-19 Pandemic

How TytoHome compares with the Sirona.tv?

Covid-19 is hitting seniors the hardest. For example, in the United States, 80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 are among adults aged 65 and older. This is clear from a recent CDC report published on March 31, 2024

“This first preliminary description of outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in the United States indicates that fatality was highest in persons aged greater-than or equal to85, ranging from 10% to 27%, followed by 3% to 11% among persons aged 65-84 years.”

For this reason, health ministers and governments are instructing elderly people to remain home, have groceries and medications delivered, and avoid social contact even with family and friends.   It is important  to not that self-isolation disproportionately affects elderly individuals whose only social contact is often out of the home at communal locations such as at senior daycares, community centers, and places of worship. Urgent solutions are required to mitigate the mental and physical health consequences this isolation presents. The elderly who do not have close family or friends and rely on the support of the volunteer workers or social care are also placed at additional risk as care workers can be unknowingly asymptotic carries of the corona virus.

Technologies can be utilized to provide social support networks and a sense of belonging for individuals that are struggling with social isolation. Expect disparities in access to or literacy in digital resources. Interventions should involve more frequent contact with health-care professionals, significant others, close family and friends, voluntary organisations and community outreach workers providing peer support. Beyond this, cognitive behavioural therapies should be delivered by digitally to decrease loneliness and improve mental wellbeing.

Telehealth Solution Comparison: TytoHome vs Sirona.tv Health

There are several remote care health solutions, each of them created to solve a specific need in society. For this reason, each of these solutions have their own strengths, weaknesses, and areas where they work best.

This article analyses two telehealth solutions– TytoHome Remote Exam Kit from TytoCare and Safety Lab’s Sirona.tv.

TytoCare’s TytoHome Kit includes a handheld exam device and app that lets families and individuals perform guided medical exams remotely with a healthcare provider, anytime, anywhere. With TytoHome, users can receive a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and a prescription if needed, all from the comfort of their home.

TytoHome Device

The TytoHome Kit enables families to easily and quickly connect with a doctor, and complete a physical examination, all from the comfort of their own home.

Safety Labs’ Sirona.tv Health Kit is a TV add on  which connects to a senior’s TV to enable seniors to collect vitals on a regular basis and to have a real time examination with a healthcare provider at anytime from home.

Sirona.tv Set top box and Sensor Devices

The Sirona.tv is a telehealth solution that enables health care providers to remotely examine seniors and allows seniors to use their existing television to collect vitals on a regular basis. In addition to remote health monitoring, the Sirona.tv keeps seniors active and engaged by helping them to stay in touch with their loved ones, enjoy games, provide them with important health information and by providing them with sense of companionship with the Sirona.TV virtual assistant

Remote Examination using a TV

Collecting vitals hands-free

Senior guided by Health Companion – Sirona

The table below provides a high-level comparison:

TytoHome Kit

Sirona.tv

Tech Requirements Smartphone or tablet and a Wi-Fi internet connection Wi-Fi Internet Connection
Ideal Use Case Families with children. 2 People are required when child or a senior is to be examined. Seniors 75+ living alone at home
Typical User Adults, 18-65 years of age who are comfortable using mobile apps.

 

Device must be paired with the TytoCare Phone App.

75+ Senior, complex care, comorbidity patients.

 

Devices are pre-paired. New & replacement devices are pre-paired before sent to the home.

Who is it available to Healthcare organizations and consumers Healthcare organizations and consumers
Doctors Visit/Telehealth Uses TytoCare App on a  Smart phone Uses Built in handsfree Telehealth solution over Senior’s TV
What Can be  examined

 

Digital sounds of the heart and lungs, high-quality digital images and video of the ears, throat, and skin and measures heart rate and body temperature.

 

TytoHome Kit does not include a Blood Pressure exam.

Oxygen, Blood Pressure, Temperature, Glucose Level

And Physical examination using a two-way high definition video conferencing.

Type of Examination Real time examination Real time and store & forward for Oxygen, Temperature, Blood pressure, Glucose, Weight
Where Available Through health systems and providers and Best Buy Online stores including at www.sirona.tv
What is included in the Kit ·  TytoHome device with exam camera, thermometer and rechargeable battery

Other

·       Otoscope adapter for ear exams

·       Stethoscope adapter for heart and lung exams

·        Tongue depressor

·       Anchor Set top

·       Blood Pressure Monitor

·       Oximeter

·       Weight Scale

Other

·       Remote Control

·       Adapters & Cables

 

 

Kit Cost TytoHome Remote Exam Kit  $299 Sirona.tv – Connect $129-149

Sirona.tv- Health – $199-249

Monthly or other costs $59 for physical exam with a physician.

 

$59 for physical exam with a physician

+ $14.99-$19.99/month service charges

Use Away from home: Easy to carry can be used anywhere Easy to carry. Require an HDMI TV.
Website www.tytocare.com www.sirona.tv
Other Features Sirona voice companion

Medication Reminders

Video Chats and Phone calls

Games

Health Videos, Weather

If families are looking for a social connectivity only solution and not health, then GrandPad is a good solution to look at. This article introduces and compares Grandpad and the Sirona.TV the two devices designed for seniors. The Grandpad is a tablet for seniors. The Sirona.TV is a television add-on that includes a variety of smart device features such as a virtual assistant, safety and health monitoring, and a companion app for connecting with friends and family. Both devices greatly improve the lives of the elderly, however, which one is more suitable depends on the senior.

Conclusion

TytoHome Kit and accompanied services is an ideal remote diagnosis solution for families with young children and senior adults. For children and senior adults two people are ideal for a remote emanation. Sirona.tv is a solution for seniors who live alone, who need maintain physical isolation while maintaining social connectivity with the family, friends and rest of the world!

During this pandemic to help seniors maintain isolation but continue to be cared and socially connected we believe Sirona.tv is a better solution than TytoHome Kit.