Industry News | 10.08.24
Half of Older Adults Say Their Health Care Providers Don't Ask About Their Mental Health
By NAMSS Staff
Behavioral Health Business (09/20/24) Larson, Chris
A new John A. Hartford Foundation's report finds that 45% of older adults, age 65 and up, have doctors that ask about their mental health during checkups and 40% say their doctors ask about cognitive and brain functions. Foundation President Terry Fulmer remarks, "Older adults are stuck in a health care system that is not responsive to their goals and preferences. Boomers want health care that maximizes their health and ability to function, and they want their providers to listen to them." The Foundation and partner, Age Wave, reached out to The Harris Poll to conduct research on older adults' experiences with health care, and the data show that 82% of older adults do not believe the health system is prepared for the needs of their age group. Fifty-seven percent of rural older adults had lower levels of "excellent" or "very good" mental health versus 65% of urban-based older adults. Ninety-four percent of seniors also said that quality of life is more important to them than the number of years lived.
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