ORANGE, Calif., Sept. 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Financial instability, loneliness and meals insecurity are the highest three social obstacles impacting seniors’ entry to complete, inexpensive, high-quality well being care, in accordance with the 2022 Social Threats to Getting old Nicely in America survey launched at this time by Alignment Healthcare, a tech-enabled Medicare Benefit firm. The inaugural research explores the monetary, bodily and emotional threats to seniors’ capability to age effectively and stay more healthy, extra affluent lives.
Administered by Toluna and sponsored by Alignment, the research requested 2,601 adults aged 65 and older throughout america about their greatest obstacles to well being care and the assist they should overcome these challenges. The research targeted on environmental components often known as social determinants of well being (SDoH), comparable to revenue and entry to dependable transportation and wholesome meals. SDoH are confirmed to have a much more important influence on general well being than scientific care, in accordance with the Nationwide Academy of Drugs.
“With 10,000 adults turning 65 every single day, it’s extra pressing than ever to grasp the problems seniors face that impede their path to well being, wellness and happiness,” mentioned Dr. Dinesh Kumar, chief medical and working officer, Alignment Healthcare. “This research presents insights into these obstacles and supplies a window into the options we must always think about to greatest deal with these wants. With this precious data, we may help guarantee our elders obtain the eye, respect and care they want and deserve whereas elevating expectations of what well being care may be.”
Highlights from the benchmark survey embrace:
Financial instability
- From medical debt to copays and extra, survey outcomes uncover that greater than 1 in 5 U.S. seniors lists the shortcoming to pay as their prime barrier to well being care within the subsequent yr.
- One in 10 says they don’t have the sources and assist to cowl medical payments, and practically 1 in 6 carries medical debt. Of these with medical debt, greater than 1 / 4 owe quantities equal to a few months or extra in residing bills.
- One respondent wrote, “I’m going again to work at 80 years outdated to pay payments.”
Loneliness
- In line with the research, 21% of seniors rank loneliness and isolation as prime components inflicting stress and psychological well being points.
- Some seniors cite COVID-19 restrictions and fears for his or her emotions of isolation, whereas others are dealing with deaths, relationship issues, distance from family members and extra.
- One in 5 seniors says they’re lonelier now than they had been a yr in the past, and the identical quantity says they gained’t have constant companionship or in-home assist within the subsequent yr.
- With 35% of seniors residing alone, 1 in 5 says they’d lean on non-medical companion care if accessible.
Meals insecurity
- Fifteen p.c of seniors anticipate struggling to place wholesome meals on their desk within the subsequent yr.
- Meals insecurity is spurred by rising prices on the checkout lane, bodily difficulties in making ready meals for themselves, lack of dependable transportation and extra.
- One-third (33%) of seniors rank grocery help as their most vital assist precedence.
Transportation:
- Greater than 20% of respondents notice the shortage of dependable transportation as an issue when in search of medical care.
- One in 7 says they won’t have constant transportation to medical care within the subsequent yr.
Psychological Well being
- One-quarter of seniors say COVID-19 had the best damaging influence on their psychological well being prior to now yr.
- Seniors see simpler entry to care (e.g., telehealth visits, transportation to medical appointments) as a profit that might scale back stress whereas bettering general well being.
Know-how:
- One in 10 (10%) seniors says their lack of entry to dependable know-how — or difficulties utilizing it — might be an impediment to well being and medical care within the subsequent yr.
- One in 7 (14%) lists know-how coaching as a profit they’d most prefer to entry.
In regards to the “2022 Social Threats to Getting old Nicely in America” research
The net survey was carried out from July 24 to Aug. 13, 2022. It included a nationally and regionally consultant pattern of two,601 seniors aged 65 and older, together with greater than 100 residents every in six states: Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina and Texas. This survey was designed to generate significant conversations about obstacles to senior care. As that is the primary Social Threats to Getting old Nicely in America survey, it’s going to function a benchmark for comparability for future outcomes when doable and spotlight variations for seniors going ahead. View the total report right here.
About Alignment Healthcare
Alignment Healthcare is a consumer-centric platform delivering personalized well being care in america by its Medicare Benefit plans. The corporate supplies companions and sufferers with personalized care and repair the place they want it and once they want it, together with scientific coordination, danger administration and know-how facilitation. Alignment Healthcare presents well being plan choices by Alignment Well being Plan and likewise companions with choose well being plans to assist ship higher advantages at decrease prices.
An infographic accompanying this announcement is on the market at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d6d97b4c-c2df-4b74-9e45-df4a31985b3c.
Media Contact
Priya Shah
mPR, Inc. for Alignment Healthcare
[email protected]
