Demography of Aging Training Seminar

TITLE: Examining Longitudinal Healthcare Utilization, Outcomes, and Satisfaction in Older Adults with Sensory Impairments ABSTRACT: As the older adult population in the U.S. is expected to double by the year 2030, the health needs of this aging population will likely increase. However, there is limited research on which attributes matter most (or least) to older adults when they decide to seek and utilize care. Research is particularly sparse on the specific needs and priorities of members of the older adult population who face additional challenges in accessing healthcare, such as those with disabilities. People with disabilities experience physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers within the healthcare setting that likely shape their utilization of services, their health outcomes, and their overall satisfaction with their care. In this (very early-stages) presentation, I outline how I plan to address this gap in the literature using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and a specific focus on people with hearing, vision, or dual sensory impairments.