141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

288999
Session abstract: Assessing and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable of older adults in California

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 10:30 AM - 10:42 AM

Steven P. Wallace, PhD , UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Los Angeles, CA
Kathryn G. Kietzman, PhD, MSW , Center for Health Policy Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
May Aydin, PhD , Center for Health Policy Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
D. Imelda Padilla-Frausto, MPH , UCLA Fielding School of Public Health & UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Los Angeles, CA
Geoffrey Hoffman, MPH , Department of Health Services, U.C.L.A., Los Angeles, CA
America is graying rapidly. Between 2011 and 2029, we will see the greatest growth in the 65+ population as the “boomers” turn 65. While many older adults are living longer and healthier lives, the prevalence of chronic disease in the older population remains high. For those of limited economic means, the challenges associated with accessing care and managing complex health conditions are heightened. In California, the elderly population will double to nearly 8 million by 2026. Currently, 1.1 million Californians are “dual-eligibles” – those who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare and are typically the most medically and financially vulnerable. This panel examines how the physical, psychological and social care needs of vulnerable California seniors are being assessed and addressed. The first presentation highlights differences in mental health need among older subgroups in California and identifies their characteristics. The second presentation provides details about the Elder Index -- an alternative to the Federal Poverty Level that better gauges poverty among the elderly, particularly in states such as California where living costs are high. The third paper assesses older adult “dual-eligibles” utilization of care as compared to other Medicare beneficiaries and examines whether cost-sharing is associated with their utilization of health services. The final presentation offers “lessons learned” from the Helping Older-adults Maintain independencE (HOME) study, which is following older adult “dual-eligibles” over time, and evaluating how they have managed a fragmented network of informal and formal care, along with unlinked medical care, to continue to live independently at home.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Other professions or practice related to public health
Program planning
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss how the physical, psychological and social care needs of vulnerable California seniors are being assessed and addressed. Identify differences in mental health need among older subgroups in California. Describe the Elder Index -- an alternative to the Federal Poverty Level that better gauges poverty among the elderly. Assess older adult “dual-eligibles” utilization of care as compared to other Medicare beneficiaries. Analyze how older adult “dual-eligibles” have managed a fragmented network of informal and formal care, along with unlinked medical care, to continue to live independently at home.

Keywords: Aging, Medicare/Medicaid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and an associate director at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. I am a leading national scholar in the area of aging in communities of color. I have published research on access to long-term care by diverse elderly groups, disparities in the consequences of health policy changes on racial/ethnic minority elderly, and aging politics.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.