In the Spotlight
Weight Loss Isn't Far Away with TeleMOVE!
Use technology to get healthier from home
Are you looking to improve your health through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, but live too far away from a VA Medical Center? Using popular technologies, Veterans can now participate in the TeleMOVE! weight management program without leaving home.
Participate at home
TeleMOVE! is one of VA's Home Telehealth Services in which Veterans are matched with a VA clinician or Care Coordinator, and with at-home health monitoring technologies that best fit their needs. It combines the successful MOVE! Weight Loss Program with tools of telehealth, like video and phone calls. It's a 90-day program that focuses on nutrition, physical activity, and behavior change. Participation in TeleMOVE!, along with activity changes and a healthy diet, may also help improve health conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, COPD, and depression.
"The TeleMOVE! program was a great success for me. The idea that I had to weigh in and the results were being recorded was motivation for me. I had a personal goal of losing the required pounds to have my hips replaced. I was able to use this program versus having gastric weight loss surgery," said Veteran Charlie Twine.
There are many Veterans participating in the TeleMOVE! program from their own homes. Check with the staff at your participating facility, and they’ll get you started.
Get started with SMART goals
To join the program, just let your VA Primary Care team know that you're interested in TeleMOVE! They'll have you complete the MOVE!11 Questionnaire at your local VA medical facility or online. This will help you and your health care team set goals specific to your needs. These SMART goals should be:
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Specific
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Measurable
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Action-oriented
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Realistic
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Time-based
For example, if you want to cut calories, your goal may be to reduce the number of soft drinks you consume. If you drink seven a week, you might try three a week for one month.
One Veteran experienced high blood pressure, acid reflux, and chronic back pain. After losing 60 pounds, his blood pressure is back to normal and he no longer has acid reflux. He’s even sleeping better and has less back pain. "SMART goals for me means getting your life in order," Veteran Thomas Bulla says. "You stop doing a lot of things that got you where you didn't want to be and start doing a lot of things that are going to get you where you want to be."
Technology options
There are many home telehealth technology options available. Once matched to your VA Care Coordinator, you'll choose your technology option and which monitoring items you need based on your health, and what you may or may not already have. For instance, if you need a scale or blood pressure monitor, one may be provided. Depending on your health conditions and goals, you will track vital signs, such as:
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Weight
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Pulse
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Blood pressure
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Blood sugar
The next step is to report this information to your VA Care Coordinator using your technology option. This will help you and your VA Care Coordinator monitor your progress, health status, and determine treatment decisions together.
Keep in contact
Veterans enrolled in TeleMOVE! can report information to their VA Care Coordinator in a variety of ways, including: over the telephone, through a secure internet website, video technology, home device, or by using the MOVE! Coach mobile app. “The MOVE! program works. Let the team help you change your life,” says Veteran Kim Rosenthal. "I feel healthier and stronger. MOVE! has been life-changing, but you have to want it for yourself."
Veterans with a Premium My HealtheVet account can also use Secure Messaging (sign in required) to send non-urgent questions or comments to their care coordinator and other members of their health care team.
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Read More
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MOVE! Weight Management Program
Updated September 20, 2021