Better Health At Your Finger TIPS
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is a growing field referring to any health services of information delivery via technology. TIPS telehealth services provide vital signs monitoring and follow up using secure technology to record and send health information.
Through regular remote monitoring, patients can:
- Reduce medical expenses for themselves and caregivers
- Self-manage chronic conditions
- Avoid unplanned and emergency medical visits
How Does TIPS work?
TIPS participants have their vital signs – blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen levels and weight – checked once a week by a trained technician. The data is transmitted electronically to a secure site where it is reviewed by a nurse. If there is cause for immediate concern the nurse may contact the participant or, with permission, the caregiver, primary care physician or on- site administrator directly by phone. *
Trained Telehealth Technician Associates (TTA) provide participants with a “TIPS Sheet” each session that includes their vital signs, an explanation of what the results mean, and any relevant recommendations and guidelines for interpreting vital signs. This “high-tech”….”high-touch” approach can help participants self-manage their own health and be proactive if they see any negative changes.
How Does TIPS work?
TIPS participants have their vital signs – blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen levels and weight – checked once a week by a trained technician. The data is transmitted electronically to a secure site where it is reviewed by a nurse. If there is cause for immediate concern the nurse may contact the participant or, with permission, the caregiver, primary care physician or on- site administrator directly by phone. *
Trained Telehealth Technician Associates (TTA) provide participants with a “TIPS Sheet” each session that includes their vital signs, an explanation of what the results mean, and any relevant recommendations and guidelines for interpreting vital signs. This “high-tech”….”high-touch” approach can help participants self-manage their own health and be proactive if they see any negative changes.
More Than Just Health
After vital signs are checked, participants also receive a comprehensive needs assessment from Social Support Associates (SSAs), to see if they could benefit from any social services in the county, such as nutrition, transportation housing, caregiving and other support services. TIPS sessions are held in a convenient setting where seniors regularly gather. Trained college students facilitate the program, offering a social, intergenerational component to senior health and wellness.
TIPS Sites
Eastchester Senior Center
660 White Plains Road
Eastchester
First United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon
227 E Lincoln Ave
Mt Vernon
Greenburgh Senior Center
11 Olympic Ln
Ardsley
Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center
94 Davis Ave
New Rochelle
Mount Pleasant Senior Center
125 Lozza Dr
Valhalla
Nepperhan Community Center
342 Warburton Ave
Yonkers
New Rochelle Housing Authority
50 Sickles Ave
New Rochelle
Peekskill Senior Citizen Center
4 Nelson Ave
Peekskill
Peter Chema Senior Community Center
435 Riverdale Ave
Yonkers
YMCA of Yonkers
342 Warburton Ave
Yonkers
Yorktown Senior Center
1974 Commerce St # 16,
Yorktown Heights
YWCA Residence
69 N Broadway
White Plains
Thomas H. Slater Center
20 Fisher Ct
White Plains
TIPS in Touch
In light of the pandemic, TIPS moved from ”in person” contact to telephone outreach. Undergraduate and graduate social work students phone participants and seniors report their health status and concerns, receive follow up from the program telehealth nurses and are connected to other services and supports. This phone contact provides unexpected benefits including a safe space for seniors to share concerns and to socialize.
TIPS at Home
The “TIPS-at-Home” pilot program delivers in-home vital signs monitoring for TIPS participants with most critical health needs. Participants receive equipment to use at home to capture blood pressure, pulse, oxygen level and weight along with a pre-programmed user-friendly tablet computer for full vital signs monitoring, recording, reporting and follow-up.
Call (914) 813-6262 for more information about these TIPS programs.
*Telehealth solutions are not intended for emergency use or real-time monitoring of patient vital signs.