Teletherapy often leaves out older people. Here's how a US researcher is trying to help them connect

People of all ages started using telehealth for mental health appointments - but the number of claims for adults ages 65 and older increased by a significantly smaller degree than that of younger patients. — Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

The pandemic made telehealth — remote health care, usually over a video application — ubiquitous in Washington.

But when Veterans Affairs psychiatrist Dr Debby Tsuang began offering telehealth appointments to her patients, mostly older adults at high risk for complications from Covid-19, many were reluctant to log on to a computer or tablet to set up a video meeting. Most preferred a traditional phone call to discuss their mental health needs.