(Family Features)

Older adults in America often face a harsh reality when it comes to health care. While Baby Boomers are living longer than prior generations, they are more likely to struggle to get the care they need due to financial challenges, hard-to-navigate health insurance coverage and widening gaps between who receives high-quality care and who doesn’t.

They’re now speaking up about how the health care system isn’t listening to them.Older adults want care that adds life to their years, not just years to their life, according to research from Age Wave and The John A. Hartford Foundation. Just 1 in 10 older adults surveyed gave the U.S. health care system an “A” grade, and 4 in 5 (82%) said it is not prepared for the evolving needs of America’s aging population.

“The United States is on the brink of an age wave of unprecedented proportions, and American health care requires a radical and immediate rethink to match our health spans – being able to live every year to its fullest – to our lifespans,” said Ken Dychtwald, founder and CEO of Age Wave.

Older adults’ top concerns include:

  • Health span matters more than lifespan: 97% of older adults agree being healthy means being able to do the things they want to do throughout their lives.
  • Affordability: 68% of older adults are concerned about being able to afford future health and long-term care needs like nursing home care.
  • Talking about what matters: More than 40% of older adults who have a health care provider are not being asked what matters to them regarding their health by their clinicians.

“It’s important for people to know they can demand age-friendly care,” said Terry Fulmer, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “Clinicians can make changes to better provide care that’s based on what matters most to their patients. It’s a win-win for older adults and providers.”

3 Ways to Get the Care Older Adults Need
Older adults who receive age-friendly care, or care that prioritizes their preferences, are more likely to report having a good health span than those who do not. They’re also more likely to remain socially and physically active and follow a healthy diet.

There are tools to help older adults get age-friendly care:

  • Check if local care providers offer age-friendly care, and if they don’t, ask “why not?” Age-friendly care is offered in more than 4,000 care settings across the country. Use an online tool to find an age-friendly hospital or practice at johnahartford.org/agefriendly.
  • Talk to clinicians about care preferences using the 4 M’s.
    • What Matters: As people age, their care needs may change. Use an online guide to identify health priorities and start discussions with care providers.
    • Medication: Ask about the side effects of prescriptions using a tip sheet.
    • Mind: Learn about the signs of memory decline and what to do about it.
    • Mobility: Create an activity plan to help you keep moving and stay healthy.
  • Learn more about age-friendly care.

For more information about how older adults view health care and resources to get needed care, visit johnahartford.org/crossroads.