A recent poll by the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging has highlighted the significant financial burden of health-related costs on older Americans, covering a spectrum from medical and dental care to medications and long-term care facilities. The survey asked respondents to evaluate their concerns regarding 26 health-related topics for people over 50 within their communities, revealing that the top worries predominantly revolve around these costs. Among the most alarming issues highlighted, five out of six pertain directly to health-related expenses, with financial scams and fraud also ranking high, highlighting an overarching anxiety about financial security among older adults.
This concern over health-related costs is consistent across various demographics, regardless of respondents’ age, gender, race, ethnic background, geographical location, community size, political affiliation, or income level, demonstrating the universal impact of these issues among older adults. Notably, 56% expressed deep concern about the costs associated with medical and long-term care. Close behind were worries about the costs of prescription medications (54%), scams and fraud (53%), and the expenses related to health insurance or Medicare (52%), with dental care costs also a significant concern (45%).
The implications of these findings are profound and urgent, especially in an election year, as noted by Dr. John Z. Ayanian, director of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The results underscore the importance of health care costs as a critical issue for older adults, further supported by similar findings from a Michigan-specific poll funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. Such widespread concern demands immediate policy action and intervention to alleviate these financial pressures on older adults.
The survey also shed light on other significant health issues among older adults, such as access to quality home care, overall healthcare quality, and the prevalence of inaccurate or misleading health information. Differences in concern levels were evident across demographic lines; for instance, women were more worried than men about quality home care and the challenges of social isolation, while Black older adults reported higher concerns about racial discrimination.
Economic disparities were also highlighted in the poll’s findings, particularly when analyzing responses based on income. Individuals with annual household incomes below $60,000 were more likely to express concern about the cost of dental care compared to those with higher incomes, indicating that economic status significantly influences health-related anxieties.
Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, the poll director, emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse concerns of older adults to enhance their health and well-being as they age. The pervasive anxiety about cost-related issues across all demographic groups points to a significant opportunity for targeted actions to improve healthcare access and affordability, offering hope for a better future for older adults.
This survey aligns with AARP research, which identifies health care affordability as a central concern among older adults, their families, and caregivers. Indira Venkateswaran, AARP’s Senior Vice President of Research, highlighted the necessity of continuous efforts and collaborative action to improve health care access and affordability. Addressing the high costs of insurance premiums, copays, prescription drugs, and long-term care is crucial and requires a collective effort to alleviate the financial strain on millions of Americans, ensuring they can manage other basic necessities such as food and household bills.
More information: Jeffrey Kullgren et al, National Poll on Healthy Aging: On Their Minds: Older Adults’ Top Health-Related Concerns, University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. DOI: 10.7302/22628
Journal information: University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging Provided by Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan
