Work

Factors Associated With Loss of Usual Source of Care Among Older Adults

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Access to a usual source of care (USC) is associated with better preventive health and chronic disease treatment. Although most older adults have a USC, loss of USC, and factors associated with loss of USC, have not previously been examined. METHODS: We followed 7,609 participants of the National Health and Aging Trends Study annually for up to 6 years (2011-2016). Discrete time-to-event techniques and pooled logistic regression were used to identify demographic, clinical, and social factors associated with loss of USC. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of older adults reported having a USC in 2011, of whom 5% subsequently did not. Odds of losing a USC were higher among older adults with unmet transportation needs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.67), who moved to a new residence (aOR 2.08), and who reported depressive symptoms (aOR 1.40). Odds of losing a USC were lower for those who had ≥4 chronic conditions (vs 0-1; aOR 0.42) and with supplemental (aOR 0.52) or Medicaid (aOR 0.67) insurance coverage. CONCLUSIONS: We identified factors associated with older adults' loss of a USC. Potentially modifiable factors, such as access to transportation and supplemental insurance, deserve further investigation to potentially assist older adults with continuous access to care.

Source: The Annals of Family Medicine

DOI: 10.1370/afm.2283

Authors: Stephanie K. Nothelle, Cynthia Boyd, Orla Sheehan, Jennifer L. Wolff

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Primary Care and Health Outcomes

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Institute on Aging