Help is available for caregivers who want to help older patients navigate complex government websites and access the information and resources they need to overcome isolation, lack of transportation, and limited financial resources that prevent them from fully accessing health care.
By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, healthcare providers can provide older patients with additional guidance and support to help them stay informed and get to the right point of care, said Karl Ulfers, co-founder and CEO of DUOS, a digital care navigation platform focused on older adults and designed for Medicare beneficiaries.
According to the company, 60% of people are willing to use AI-driven tools to get health answers and improve their outcomes and experiences. In this Q&A, Ulfers discusses how providers can use technology to reach and educate older patients, increase utilization, and encourage preventive care.
Q. When we talk about access and health equity, why is age an important factor?
A. Age is an important factor in discussions about health care access and health equity, as different age groups often have different needs, vulnerabilities and barriers when it comes to health care.
As our population ages, the health care concerns and needs of seniors and their caregivers become increasingly complex. Navigating the complicated landscape of Medicare, insurance plans, and health care services can be overwhelming, leaving many feeling lost and uncertain.
In addition, older adults often have multiple health conditions that require ongoing treatment and specialized care. They may face challenges such as mobility issues, sensory impairments, and cognitive decline, which can make accessing health care services more difficult.
Social factors such as isolation, limited transportation options, and financial constraints also play a role. Our aging population requires resources and support unique to these specific circumstances and challenges to ensure access to care.
Q. What are the biggest challenges older Americans face when it comes to accessing health care?
A. Seniors in the U.S. face many challenges when it comes to accessing health care, including navigating the health care system, health literacy, technological barriers, transportation issues, financial constraints, social isolation, and care coordination.
Seniors often struggle to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, including understanding insurance options, managing appointments, and coordinating care across providers. This can lead to confusion and missed opportunities to provide needed care.
There is also a lack of understanding of medical terminology and health information, which can hinder an older adult’s ability to make informed decisions about their health. In addition to educational challenges, physical limitations and the lack of reliable transportation options can make it difficult for older adults to attend medical appointments and receive timely care.
To support older generations and overcome these challenges, DUOS uses a large language model to understand and interpret the unique needs of each older adult based on their specific circumstances or situation. By analyzing these factors and the details of the care plan they are enrolled in, we can recommend the most relevant services and benefits, such as transportation to medical appointments or meal delivery options, tailored to each individual and interpret complex health care documents to ensure members are aware of and effectively utilizing their benefits.
Q. Is it just a lack of technical skills, access to smart devices or mobility issues that are causing certain services to be underused by the population?
A. Lower service utilization for older generations goes far beyond technology or mobility-related challenges. For example, our recentquestionnaire found that 49% of seniors do not know the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
This raises a critical concern. How can seniors ensure they have the right plan that best meets their health and aging needs?
Additionally, seniors and caregivers struggle with a lack of clear and accessible information, leaving them with feelings of confusion or ambivalence. For example, a whopping 47% of respondents are unaware of the additional benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans, which can potentially alleviate some of the financial and practical burdens of daily living.
Q. Is the healthcare sector missing opportunities to provide better care and better access to care for older patients?
A. When we think about older generations, we often think that they can’t use or don’t want to use technology, especially when it comes to navigating healthcare. However, we’ve found that the opposite is true and that the industry is underutilizing technology when it comes to seniors.
About75% of adults People 65 and older are internet users and 61% own smartphones, according to Pew Research. DUOS also found that 61% of respondents this year believe digital health tools have improved public health over the past three years.
As confidence in the use of technology by older adults grows, providers and other stakeholders in the sector must be prepared to use technology to engage with and support these populations, thereby improving access to care.
Q. What engagement strategies can healthcare providers use to improve their ability to provide holistic care?
A. Healthcare providers can use technology to create meaningful connections that empower older adults and encourage proactive engagement in healthcare.
We recognize the critical need for older adults to feel supported in their health journey, especially when navigating complex care decisions. A large portion of this population struggles to understand health information, especially printed materials.
By partnering with technology developers or solutions, providers can create digital touchpoints or platforms that are intuitive and tailored to the unique needs of older adults, with simplified interfaces, plain language, and step-by-step guidance.
These tools not only bridge the information gap, but also encourage preventive care and increased self-management, empowering older adults to take charge of their health. When implemented effectively, these engagement strategies improve quality of life, making it not just about adding years to one’s life, but about adding meaningful, healthy years.
Q. How can technologies, including artificial intelligence, help people who feel lost and uncertain about their care options?
A. Technologies like AI offer tremendous potential to empower older adults who may feel lost or unsure about their care options, especially when navigating complex systems like Medicare Advantage.
Many older adults do not fully understand what benefits are available to them or struggle with how to leverage these benefits to address important aspects of their lives, such as transportation, food security, or safety at home.
Our recent survey found that five in 10 people are unaware of their Medicare Advantage benefits, and another three-fifths don’t know how to use them. Integrating AI could help transform healthcare for older adults, with benefits including faster access to information and more efficient care.
Many seniors are unaware of these benefits or do not know how to use them, leaving them without valuable resources to help them tackle their daily challenges.
Our national survey shows that 60% of people are willing to use AI tools for health questions, underscoring the growing confidence in the ability of AI to improve health outcomes.
Andrea Fox is Editor-in-Chief of Healthcare IT News.
Email address: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS Media.