Healthcare Navigation and Decision Making
FAIR Health has released a new study, “Healthcare Navigation and Decision Making: Perspectives of Adults Aged 65 and Older and Family Caregivers.”
FAIR Health conducted a nationwide study comprising two surveys geared toward older patients (adults ³65) and family caregivers/care partners. Each survey asked respondents about the importance of healthcare costs to decision making, attitudes toward shared decision making, barriers to informed decision making and healthcare navigation, navigation of the healthcare system, and needs for resources and tools.
The survey findings revealed critical insights into the needs of older adults and their caregivers/care partners concerning healthcare navigation and decision making.
Some key findings include:
- Family caregivers/care partners expressed a desire and need for healthcare information, resources, and tools that facilitate better decisions about care.
- 1 in 4 older adults reported they never know the costs of healthcare services before getting a bill.
- More than 1 in 4 older adults reported putting off or skipping needed health care due to cost.