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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSixteen percent of seniors said that they had outstanding medical debt, of which more than half reported having medical debt amounting to one month of living expenses or more. These financial difficulties contribute to a lot of uncertainty around seniors\u2019 ability to cover medical expenses in the next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loneliness is another predominant social determinant of health factor that can become a barrier to care for seniors. A fifth of seniors reported that their loneliness had increased in the past year. While nearly seven out of ten seniors see a family member, friend, or another companion often throughout the week, 16 percent of seniors only see a companion every two to three weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food insecurity is the third social determinant of health that often impedes seniors\u2019 access to care and ability to adhere to treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The survey found that 15 percent of seniors expected to experience barriers to food access in the next year. An even greater number of seniors reported that grocery assistance was their top need for support. Nearly seven out of ten seniors said that they would use a monthly grocery allowance. More seniors ranked monthly grocery allowances as their most prized benefit than 24\/7 telehealth<\/a> or virtual care access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To Alignment Healthcare\u2019s leadership, these results are particularly timely and informative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith 10,000 adults turning 65 every day, it\u2019s more urgent than ever to understand the issues seniors face that impede their path to health, wellness and happiness,\u201d Dinesh Kumar, MD, chief medical and operating officer of Alignment Healthcare, said in the press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis study offers insights into those barriers and provides a window into the solutions we should consider to best address those needs. With this valuable information, we can help ensure our elders receive the attention, respect and care they need and deserve while raising expectations of what health care can be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Separate reports have underscored the decline in mental health among seniors along with a rise in drug-related deaths and early death rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Payers have taken on social determinants of health barriers in a variety of ways. Major payers have partnered with and donated to community-based organizations to address food insecurity. Others partnered with companies to establish affordable housing units and diminish the barriers to housing access.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSource: HealthPayer Intelligence<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/distilinfo.com\/healthplan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/09\/16.jpg\")
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