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Introduction COVID-19 necessitated a shift from in-person to virtual care for all patients, particularly older adults. It is unknown how older individuals’ views of telehealth changed during this time and how this may affect their future use of telehealth services. Methods We used data from a cross-sectional online survey of a nationally representative sample of 2074 U.S. adults ages 50–80 who were participants in the National Poll on Healthy Aging. We performed a descriptive and multivariable analysis of individuals’ perspectives on past and future telehealth visits, sociodemographics, and health status. Results Before March 2020, 5.8% of respondents had used telehealth, compared to 32.0% by June 2020. Of telehealth users, 36.1% indicated their most recent telehealth visit used audio-only (i.e., without video) technology. In multivariable analysis, those who never used video technology compared to those who were “very comfortable” (average marginal effect (AME) 49%, 95% CI: 36–63), identified as Hispanic (AME 19% vs White, non-Hispanic, 95% CI: 5–32), or were female (AME 9%, 95% CI: 1–17) were more likely to report audio-only use. Concerns remained about the inability to conduct physical exams (75%) and telehealth quality of care (67%), though most (64%) older adults indicated an interest in future telehealth visits. Discussion Telehealth use increased substantially among older U.S. adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, many reported using audio-only telehealth, an important consideration for policymakers and providers. Addressing older adults’ concerns about and barriers to telehealth visits is needed to ensure telehealth does not exacerbate disparities in their care.

In studies that have explored pet ownership in families affected by dementia, reported benefits have ranged from improvements in patient behavior to reduction in caregiver blood pressure. In this exploratory study, the impact of dementia on relationships among pets, caregivers, and care recipients was examined using content analysis of open-ended questions included in a telephone survey. Female spouse caregivers who owned pets were asked how their (and their husband's) relationship with their pets changed since they started caring for their husband. Most caregivers reported that they felt closer and more attached to their pets than previously. However, some caregivers reported that their pets created an additional burden and that they and their spouse had less time to care for the pets since the onset of illness. Findings highlight the need for further research to explore the unique benefits and burdens of owning a pet for families affected by dementia.