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Aging in Place, Lack of Transportation and Access, and Economic Insecurity Are Top Three Social Barriers to U.S. Senior Health
Alignment Health’s 2024 Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey reveals 1 in 4 seniors skip medical care, 1 in 5 seniors do not have enough money to
About this update from Alignment Healthcare, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Alignment Health’s 2024 Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey reveals 1 in 4 seniors skip medical care, 1 in 5 seniors do not have enough money to pay off medical debt in next year\nORANGE, Calif. , Aug. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alignment Health released its 2024 Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey today, exploring the primary social and environmental factors, known as social determinants of health, preventing U.S. seniors from living healthier lives. In an online survey of more than 2,000 U.S. seniors ages 65 or older, aging in place (69%), lack of transportation and access to medical care (64%), and economic insecurity (56%) were the top three most-cited social barriers to their overall health. “As an industry, we must pay close attention to what our nation’s seniors are telling us are the major roadblocks that impede their health so we can pinpoint solutions that help remove as many of those barriers as we can and ensure they thrive in their later years,” said Dr. John Kim, senior vice president, market management at Alignment Health and chief medical officer, Alignment Health Plan in California. “Our past research has informed the need to accelerate innovative partnerships for our growing member base, such as ones that address food insecurity or benefits that support at-home care.” Highlights and key findings from the survey include: No. 1 Social Threat: Aging in PlaceAs more seniors choose to live independently and longer in their own homes, aging in place brings its own set of challenges: Nearly seven out of 10 consider aging in place a top social barrier to their health and well-being. Among respondents who reported experiencing stress and anxiety in the past year, 22% ranked aging in place as the No. 1 factor causing the most stress or anxiety, while 45% ranked it among their top three stressors. A majority of survey respondents (67%) said they would use benefits that support aging in place if their health plan offered them in the next 12 months. These benefits include making their homes safer, personal medical alerts, in-home health care visits and non-medical companion care. No. 2 Social Threat: Lack of Transportation and Access to CareThe inability to physically get to and from doctor appointments and medical services poses a significant threat to health, with almost two-thirds of seniors citin...