A support lifeline
Automated mobile messaging conversations help you keep in touch with people whose physical and mental health could suffer when you’re busy during a crisis.
Reliable reach
Many elderly people don’t have smartphones. Those who do often don’t download apps. Nothing can match the adoption and engagement rates of mobile messaging among the elderly.
Important reminders
Send alerts and reminders to individuals based on their care needs and schedules. From appointment reminders, to prompts to take medication, to general support during isolation. Set up automated programs suited to each patient.
Send timely, two-way alerts
Two-way texting can help in situations like this: “Joan, remember to take your pills. Please text back YES when you have.” Or, “Jim, will you make your appointment at 1pm today? Text back YES or NO.”
Text before calls
Even if you’re staying in contact by phone, a timely text can ensure they keep the phone near them before the doctor calls.
Prompt good habits
SMS reminders or notifications can change behavior too. Remind patients to either maintain a positive behavior or cut out a bad habit.
Make it a two-way chat
Asking them about their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing can help you judge whether a follow-up call is needed.
Connect your systems
Your SMS provider should provide an API that allows you to simply connect your SMS system with your patient records. Data can then be automatically saved into each patient’s profile
Get started
Build a messaging workflow in your messaging platform or choose from a library of ready-made workflows. The next step is to encourage individuals to sign up to receive the messages.
SMS gets through
SMS is far more reliable than web-based communications for the elderly. Research suggests more than 90% of Americans aged 64 or over own an SMS-enabled cell phone. Of those, only 46% have a smartphone, and far fewer are prepared to download and learn how to use an app.
Phone ownership
Most seniors are active phone users too. Nine out of ten of seniors who own a phone use it to connect with others.
Reduce costs
Medication non-adherence costs the U.S. healthcare industry more than $100 billion annually.
Immediate impact
Of 56 SMS-reminder studies on medical compliance and appointments, over 90% improved compliance and appointment attendances.
Give them control
Invite feedback from the individuals who receive your messages – and act on it. Give them control over the kinds of alerts they receive, and make it clear how they can opt out if they want to.
Report and react
Your messaging platform should make it easy not just to create messaging workflows but to generate reports and dashboards. These can give you insights into the messages sent, the responses received, and the opportunities to enhance the care and help those vulnerable individuals receive.
How we can help
A library of ready-to-launch campaigns
A low-code drag-and-drop campaign builder
Automatic mobile channel orchestration
Data visualizations and in-depth reporting
“The trends toward widespread ownership of cell phones and widespread text message use across virtually all segments of the US population will continue to support the spread of health text messaging programs.”