[Telereha--special challenges for telemedicine in geriatric rehabilitation]

Modern telecommunication technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for elders with physical and mental impairments as well as for their caregiving relatives. This can be viewed as an opportunity to establish and maintain instant and personalized access to various medical services in a situation where increasing needs are opposed to decreasing resources. However, it is not yet clear whether telematics is adequate, efficient, and effective in supporting care for geriatric patients. Results of a tele-rehabilitation project ("TeleReha", conducted at the Berlin Geriatric Center) which comprised mobility-impaired patients caregiving relatives and geriatric professionals, showed that participants regard telecommunicational and communicational needs.