Healthcare in America has some serious problems. Our private insurance model has made healthcare unaffordable for many, especially people who are unemployed or whose jobs do not offer health insurance as a benefit.
Elderly people have access to a few more healthcare programs than young Americans, like Medicare. But it’s still often not enough to meet their increasing age-related health concerns. Older people need more frequent access to their doctors and often end up living in nursing homes or other care facilities because they are too ill to remain in their homes.
Concierge healthcare, which is a growing trend in the United States, could help. Here’s what you need to know about concierge healthcare and why it provides seniors with lots of important benefits.
What is Concierge Healthcare & How Can it Help the Elderly?
Typically, you go to the doctor and they bill your insurance or you pay out of pocket for services rendered. Most plans allow for an annual physical, but not much else in the way of preventative or ongoing care.
Concierge healthcare (also known as direct primary care or DPC), on the other hand, moves away from the volume-driven model. Instead of paying for services as they are provided, patients pay a membership or retainer fee to their doctor or clinic. This membership entitles them to direct access to their care providers so they can ask questions and get health support as needed.
This model is a great option for seniors, who often have chronic health problems that require regular monitoring. By having easier and better access to doctors and nurses, many older people can stay in their homes longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
Elderly Can Receive Personalized Treatment With Comfort
Public healthcare settings can be stressful for seniors. Hospitals and large medical groups can be loud, overwhelming, and difficult to navigate. Because these facilities are designed with volume care in mind, they do not cater to the individual needs of patients.
On top of the difficulties and ordinary stressors involved with visiting public healthcare facilities, many seniors also face ageism in healthcare. Despite the fact that the aging population is growing, many elderly people are dismissed by their healthcare providers and discriminated against.
Concierge healthcare can be a good solution to this. Patients will be able to develop a closer relationship with their healthcare providers and receive truly personalized care. Seniors deserve quality care in a safe and comfortable setting, and they’re much more likely to get it within the concierge healthcare model.
Concierge Healthcare Can Reduce Readmissions
Many seniors struggle with ongoing health issues and often must be admitted and readmitted to the hospital over and over again. Having one main point of contact for all healthcare needs can help keep seniors out of the hospital and help them to better manage their care.
One study showed that patients participating in concierge programs were hospitalized 35% less than those in the control group. They also had better health outcomes. Although concierge programs might not be able to reduce chronic conditions, it’s clear that concierge healthcare can help patients better manage their health and reduce emergency care.
Concierge Medicine Can Prevent Disease and Illness, Not Just React!
Although concierge services have a reputation for being more costly than traditional physician care, that’s not always the case. And in fact, these programs can actually decrease costs overall and improve outcomes by focusing on preventative care.
When elderly people have direct access to a nurse and/or doctor, they have the freedom to reach out and ask questions without worrying about the bill. They might be more proactive with their health and take steps to manage it before it becomes a larger issue.
Because of this, concierge medicine can help prevent illness and improve well-being. Reactive healthcare generally leads to poorer outcomes and can be especially disastrous for seniors, who are more prone to illness and injury.
Changing the Way We Look At Healthcare
As the senior population grows in the United States, we have to look at new solutions for providing healthcare. Concierge medicine could be an important step in moving toward personalized care that serves the needs of patients instead of insurance companies. For a longer, happier, and more comfortable life, concierge healthcare for seniors could be the perfect option.