New study finds that while aging seniors prefer inhome care , most are critically underprepared for future healthcare needs
Cross Country Healthcare , Inc ., Associated Press / Business Wire
BOCA RATON , Fla . — Cross Country Workforce Solutions Group , a division of Cross Country Healthcare , the nation ’ s leading provider of in-home clinical and non-clinical care for aging seniors , announced findings from a national survey showing that while most people aged 50-79 years old would prefer at-home care as they age , 91 % of respondents have not proactively researched the care they may need as they grow older .
Further , 34 % have not thought about their care needs , and awareness of existing managed-at-home care programs , such as PACE ( Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ) and LIFE ( Living Independence for the Elderly ), was low among the survey respondents . The study " Aging in Place : Assessing Seniors ’ Understanding of Home Healthcare Options " found that 80 % of respondents had not heard of either program .
The American healthcare system faces a significant aging population combined with an increase in seniors living with multiple chronic diseases . Medicare enrollment is expected to increase from 66 million seniors to 78 million by 2030 , 1 with 85 % of older adults having at least one chronic health condition , 2 such as heart disease , cancer , and diabetes . Hospitals and health systems will experience unprecedented challenges in delivering quality care and reducing costs , requiring new approaches to keep seniors healthy and avoid costly emergency visits .
“ At-home care has proven to provide a better quality of life and outcomes for seniors requiring perpetual care , and it has tremendous potential to relieve some of the burdens our healthcare system will face with today ’ s aging population ,” said Pamela Jung , president of Cross Country Workforce Solutions Group , a division of Cross Country Healthcare . “ We believe that keeping seniors at home for as long as possible is a win-win for patients and the healthcare system .”
By 2030 , 21 % of the American population will be at retirement age , and seniors are seeking to distance themselves from traditional institutionalized care . According to the " Aging in Place " survey , providing transportation to and from appointments and getting medically necessary care are the two most requested at-home care services . With the average senior collecting $ 18,000 annually in social security , transportation and financial burden create barriers to accessing care , driving more seniors to wait until their condition is severe enough to require emergency medical care . Support services , such as the PACE Medicare program , provide customized care to help ease the overwhelming hospital setting while providing the comforts of home to the patient .
PACE , a state-based program , provides comprehensive medical and social services to elderly participants still living in the community . Most of the participants who are in PACE
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