Cognitive behavorial therapy through telemedicine can reduce anxiety

Older adults often suffer from anxiety disorder but lack access to treatment.  A recent study published in JAMA looked at cognitive behavioral therapy through telemedicine as a means of helping older adults to recognize anxiety symptoms and to cope.  At the end of four months, both the researchers and the participants saw a reduction in the severity of worry, generalized anxiety disorder and depressive symptoms among participants..

The study involved 141 participants, 70 of whom received the cognitive behavioral therapy by phone and 71 of whom received unfocused supportive therapy by phone.

Of note, Medicare now sometimes pays for telemedicine or telehealth services, but only for people in some rural areas and not from their home; it is also finding ways to pay for house calls.

Here’s more information from Just Care about Medicare-covered services:

• Medicare coverage of nursing home care is very limited
• Need home health care? Don’t count on Medicare
• What if you could get hospital care at home?
• Nursing homes can be cool places to live: The Eden Alternative
• Medicare covers depression screenings