New Report Highlights the Growing Demand for Age-Friendly Health Care
A new report, Meeting the Growing Demand for Age-Friendly Care: Health Care at the Crossroads, reveals that the U.S. health care system is falling short in meeting the needs of older adults. Released on September 17, 2024, by Age Wave and The John A. Hartford Foundation, the report—based on a survey conducted by The Harris Poll—highlights growing dissatisfaction among adults 65+ with a system that isn’t keeping pace with an aging population.
Key Findings:
- 82% of older adults say the U.S. health care system is not ready to meet their needs.
- Only 11% give the system an ‘A’ grade.
- 94% believe providers should be trained in older adult care—yet only 10% of medical schools require geriatric training.
- Health care costs, including long-term care, are a top concern, with 80% wanting Medicare to cover it.
- 56% say navigating the system is stressful and confusing.
As the number of older adults rises from 56.1 million in 2020 to 82.1 million by 2050, we need urgent action to make health care more responsive, affordable, and age-friendly.
