Challenges for Older Adults and Those with Chronic Conditions
In recent years, there has been a significant decline in health benefits and healthcare access, posing serious challenges for many individuals, especially older adults and those with chronic conditions. Reduced benefits can lead to limited essential care, poorer health outcomes, increased financial strain, and potential delays in preventative care. These setbacks not only impact overall well-being but can also worsen existing health conditions for vulnerable populations. Understanding these challenges is the first step in finding accessible, affordable solutions that help older adults maintain their health.
Declining Access to Home Health Services
A report from Trella Health, a provider of marketing intelligence and integrated CRM solutions, revealed a concerning decline in access to skilled home health services across the United States, particularly in rural areas. A few key data points from the report are listed below.
- In 2023, 49.9% of counties had five or fewer home health agencies per 1,000 square miles.
- In the post-pandemic period, 94.1% of counties experienced either a decrease or no change in the number of skilled home health agencies treating more than 10 fee-for-service (FFS) patients.
- In the post-pandemic period, 83.3% of counties experienced a decrease in the number of FFS home health admissions per 1,000 beneficiaries.
- In the post-pandemic period, 87.4% of counties experienced a decrease in the average number of home health visits.
- Between 2017 and 2023, the number of home health visits per patient decreased by 17.3%.
This downward trend underscores the growing challenges faced by older adults and individuals managing chronic illnesses, particularly in underserved areas, as they struggle to access essential home-based care. These statistics highlight the urgent need for policy reforms and investment in home health services to ensure equitable access to care.
Advancing Health Equity and Addressing the Healthcare Gap
Health equity seeks to eliminate the unfair barriers that prevent certain populations from accessing the care they need and deserve. These barriers can stem from age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, geographic location, disability, sexual orientation, or income. By addressing these disparities, health equity ensures that everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve and maintain good health regardless of their background.
To promote health equity, area agencies on aging (AAAs) and other social services organizations must deeply understand the historical and systematic challenges faced by the communities they serve. By recognizing these complexities, they can develop targeted, meaningful solutions that address specific needs.
TRIO supports AAAs and other organizations with a solution to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for older adults and individuals managing chronic illnesses. By providing home-delivered, dietitian-designed meals tailored for specific health conditions, TRIO enables organizations to deliver personalized, high-quality nutrition solutions to their communities. This support enables them to expand their service offerings and meet the diverse needs of their populations while also complying with Medicare and Medicaid requirements.
Additionally, TRIO simplifies program management with logistical support, data reporting, and customizable meal plans, empowering organizations to focus on enhancing community well-being.
Let’s Bridge the Benefits Gap Together
The decline in benefits and healthcare access presents a critical challenge for older adults, particularly those in underserved communities. As the data on access to home health services highlights, urgent action is needed to ensure vulnerable populations receive the care they need.
At TRIO, we are proud to support AAAs and their service providers in their efforts to advance health equity and provide care for older adults. We understand that sustained progress will require continued advocacy, policy reforms, and investment in community-based solutions.
If your organization is looking for a reliable partner to deliver medically tailored meals, we’re here to support you. By working together, we can bridge the gaps in care, improve health outcomes, and ensure that all older adults have the resources they need to live healthier, more independent lives.
Contact us today to learn how TRIO can support you in expanding access to high-quality nutrition, improving outcomes, and making a lasting positive impact on the older adults in your community.
