Older adults often have spent their lives navigating a healthcare system that can feel inconsistent and insufficient. Ensuring compassionate care for all means breaking down barriers in the local environment. Quality care cannot become routine without robust wellness resources. A holistic health ecosystem supports longevity with close connections to patients and families.
Access to quality care makes ZIP code a persistent predictor of health outcomes. In Chicago, for example, life expectancy can vary by as much as 25 years between neighborhoods. On Chicago’s South Side, life expectancy has decreased by over three years since 2010 in the Englewood neighborhood. While the opioid crisis is a contributing factor, community health is intrinsically linked to the availability of services. Englewood is a medical desert, lacking primary care physicians and specialists.
Distance is just one barrier to accessing fair, quality care. The high cost of medical services, confusing insurance coverage and a shortage of family doctors pose significant challenges. Older adults feel these constraints in urban or rural settings. “I would love to move,” they say, “but not to a place without good hospitals or specialists.” Those who have historically lacked access to resources will find it hard to form a habit of regular medical check-ups.
Holistic Model Extends Compassionate Care
Even when older adults enroll in Medicare, many overlook the importance of scheduling annual wellness visits, which
can help find health issues before they escalate. When individuals end up in the hospital, they often leave without a clear plan for managing their medications, chronic conditions or overall recovery. These challenges compound in areas with fewer resources. However, both economic and medical variables can be managed more effectively.
Nurses and patient advocates can be invaluable in making a broken healthcare system whole. Well-being depends on many social factors beyond the medical options. Clinicians can collaborate with trained aides to ensure patients understand their prescriptions, manage their dosing and keep follow-up appointments—an interdisciplinary approach to effectively close wellness gaps. In community health settings, social workers can enhance the clinical team’s efforts, while patient navigators can help secure reliable food, housing and transportation to medical appointments, empowering individuals to prioritize their health.
A notable example of this high-intensity holistic care model is Englewood’s Center for Better Aging, which co-locates essential medical and social services on a community hospital campus. Here, a doctor, nurse practitioner, social worker and care coordinator work together to develop individualized treatment plans. Intake appointments extend for an hour, bringing in pharmacists, clinical specialists and social workers. Care coordinators assist not only with appointments and transportation but also with other essential needs. Many members report that their first experience with this level of care is transformative—they have never felt so well cared for.
For independent practitioners, adopting a team-based approach may seem daunting. However, joining an accountable care organization or medical practice network can provide essential support in managing social determinants of health. Every older adult has unique needs, and while a comprehensive approach may not solve every problem in a community, it can significantly enhance a patient’s confidence, self-efficacy and agency in managing their health.
Expanding telehealth options and mobile health clinics can further bridge gaps in areas with limited medical facilities. The Center for Better Aging and its partners are using video visits to overcome mobility issues, while the St. Bernard Hospital mobile health unit travels to churches and senior centers on the South Side to reach out to bolster community health and encourage follow-up care.
Choosing a Healthcare Network for the Long Run
Older adults can investigate community resources and take proactive steps toward longevity. Caring for aging parents often introduces individuals to valuable support services, including support groups, care consultations and respite care. Medicare and Medicaid make care more affordable, and organizations like AARP serve as trustworthy sources of information about aging.
Moreover, choosing a long-term healthcare provider is essential. As doctors may move or retire, a backup plan will tap their network for referrals. It’s important to include healthcare professionals skilled in geriatric care and facilities equipped to manage conditions that may worsen over time. With increasing mobility challenges, consider whether care is accessible.
Whether they provide house calls, virtual visits or traditional facilities, care providers should remain engaged with patients between visits. Community health workers can facilitate reminders and follow-ups, ensuring continuity of care for patients referred to specialists or those discharged from the hospital. The Center for Better Aging exemplifies this approach, allowing care teams to connect with patients before discharge to review medication changes and next steps.
Black adults should not allow their ZIP codes to limit their longevity. Whether supported by a family doctor or a multidisciplinary team, patients deserve providers who listen, address their concerns and respect their choices. Establishing a close and trusting relationship with healthcare providers is essential for better health outcomes. By bringing compassion and rigor to their practice, healthcare professionals can foster a patient-centered ecosystem that empowers individuals to make informed choices about their care, leading to more active and fulfilling lives.
Dr. Cheryl Rucker-Whitaker is regional president of Cinqcare, a national network serving urban and rural high needs populations with comprehensive and coordinated care in the value-based care environment. Dr. Whitaker is a director of Equality Health and an adviser to the American Medical Association venture studio Health2047.