Challenges related to aging in place are the most prominent social threat impacting seniors’ health, according to a recent survey.
Alignment Health, a Medicare Advantage organization based in California, polled more than 2,000 seniors on the social and environmental factors that prevent them from receiving adequate aging-related care. The top barrier, cited by almost 70% of respondents, was aging in place. For nearly one quarter of respondents who experienced stress or anxiety in the past year, this was their No. 1 stressor.
Difficulties surrounding aging in place affect residents of some states disproportionately. Respondents who lived in North Carolina, Nevada and Texas were the most likely to report difficulties surrounding aging in place as their top health-related barrier, Meanwhile, about 30% of seniors in Arizona and Nevada said issues related to aging in place are the primary reason they may have to skip medical care.
Lack of transportation was the No. 2 barrier threatening seniors’ health, the survey found. About 64% of respondents nationwide said that not having reliable transportation is the main reason they have skipped medical care in the past. In an effort to address this issue, rideshare technology firm Uber recently launched a new program to help home care providers connect clients with transportation services.
Respondents ranked economic insecurity third among social and environmental threats to their health. The cost of home care is a significant challenge for many, and the majority of seniors aged 75 and older cannot afford daily home health visits, according to a recent, unrelated study by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Other major challenges threatening seniors’ health included loneliness, a lack of support in the home and inadequate access to nutritious foods. One-quarter of survey participants said they feel lonely sometimes or often, and nearly 40% of respondents said they have little to no support from caregivers and family members to help them age healthily.
