Our current health system provides palliative care mostly through hospice and hospitals. As a result, health care providers' radar may be set to miss older adults unless they have a reason to become hospitalized. |
Regardless of wealth, older Americans carry an unacceptable burden of suffering in their last year of life. The older adults we studied who lived in the community suffered as much in their last year of life as do younger people who are severely ill and hospitalized. |
This would enable older adults to access medications regardless of ability to pay. It would also improve access to services for underserved and vulnerable populations. |