Each one of us, sooner or later, will hit the senior mark, and this phase requires greater medical demands. Senior patients often require more frequent medical check-ups and tests, chronic disease management, and coordinated care across specialties.
The country’s healthcare landscape as a whole must work together to be better prepared for an aging American population.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the 65 and over population grew nearly five times faster than the total population from 1920 to 2020.
From 2010 to 2020 alone, the U.S. witnessed the largest-ever 10-year numeric gain of the senior population — an increase of 15.5 million people.
At this stage of patient care, retainer-based medicine arrangements grow more valuable than ever because of the convenience, undivided attention, and cost savings it offers.
As of writing, concierge medicine for seniors is the only model that extends this unique level of care to patients.
That being said, this blog post aims to define the clear-cut purpose of concierge medicine in senior healthcare, as well as highlight all the ways it has elevated personalized medicine for seniors as a whole.
By 2030, the U.S. population will have individuals older than age 65 than younger than age 5. Pushing concierge medicine for seniors into the mainstream is a great way to prepare for this societal change.
Membership-based medicine arrangements, such as concierge medicine and direct primary care (DPC), are well-suited for senior patients because of its thoughtful and personalized approach to elderly healthcare.
Read more about: Concierge Medicine vs. Direct Primary Care - What’s the Difference?
Personalized Senior Care Services for Improved Health: Because they have smaller patient panels, concierge medicine physicians are capable of extending more sincere and personalized medicine for seniors.
They are able to devote more time to senior healthcare patients, carefully listening to their concerns and addressing their intricate needs.
Same-day or Next-day Appointments: Concierge medicine for seniors offers little to zero wait-time. Geriatric care patients no longer have to wait weeks or months just to secure an appointment.
At such a fragile time in a patient’s life, this ensures that seniors receive timely care when they need it most.
Extended Office Visits: Rushed, 10-minute appointments are not a thing in concierge medicine for seniors.
Concierge medicine physicians, on average, spend 30 to 90 minutes with their senior patients, allowing for more in-depth discussions and a deeper understanding of their health.
They spearhead senior care coordination between specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to ensure that transitions are seamless and geriatric care is comprehensive.
Senior Health and Wellness Programs for Prevention: With a focus on preventive care for seniors, concierge medicine physicians work with their patients to create personalized, proactive senior programs.
These senior wellness programs are designed to identify and mitigate potential health risks, promoting overall wellness and longevity.
This ensures that geriatric medicine patients receive the comprehensive, effective care that they require and deserve. Dr. Rob Lamberts, a concierge medicine physician, notes, “People are more than just physical bodies, and should be considered on all levels, even economic.”
Long-term Medical Savings: Taking off from the previous point, concierge medicine for seniors are sensitive towards patients as a whole, taking into consideration even their financial situation.
From prescription medicine at wholesale cost, lab tests and work-ups at discounted rates, to unlimited appointments which are copay-free — concierge healthcare for seniors offers lifetime medical savings to patients.
For instance, it is not uncommon for concierge medicine memberships to offer routine blood tests at $15, whereas the same blood test will cost around $46 to $63 in traditional healthcare.
In contrast to the traditional, fee-for-service model, concierge medicine for seniors also offers tier pricing in order to cater to geriatric care patients from all walks of life.
Concierge medicine subscriptions come in a variety of forms, from basic subscriptions that cover routine elderly healthcare to premium memberships that offer advanced senior caregiving support services.
With a growing number of concierge medicine options becoming available, geriatric medicine patients are sure to find a practice that fits their age-related healthcare requirements, budget, and preferences.
Yes, it may be easier to overlook the inadequacies of the traditional healthcare system in younger patients, but this is not the case in senior healthcare.
Because these types of patients have more complex medical needs and require hands-on, consistent care, the shortcomings of the traditional healthcare system become increasingly glaring in geriatric medicine.
Limited appointment time: Traditional healthcare providers often have large patient panels, leaving limited time for each appointment. This can result in rushed visits, inadequate communication, and overlooked concerns.
Fragmented elderly healthcare: Seniors often see multiple specialists, leading to fragmented senior care coordination. This can result in diagnostic errors, duplicated tests, and delayed treatment.
Inadequate chronic disease management: Traditional healthcare cannot provide the level of support and resources needed for effective chronic disease management for seniors, leading to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.
Limited access to care: Seniors may face long wait times, limited appointment availability, and difficulty accessing care outside of regular office hours.
|
Traditional, Insurance-based Healthcare |
Concierge Medicine |
|
|
Appointment Duration |
Limited, Rushed (10-15 minutes) |
Extended, Uninterrupted (30-90 minutes, as needed) |
|
Senior Care Coordination |
Fragmented, uncoordinated |
Comprehensive, in sync |
|
Chronic Disease Management for Seniors |
Inadequate support and resources |
Proactive and preventive care for seniors |
|
Access to Senior Health Services |
Inconsistent services and appointments Long wait times |
24/7, convenient physician access Same-day or next-day appointments |
|
Holistic, Preventive Care for Seniors |
Focus on physical health only |
Consideration of physical, emotional, and social needs |
For senior healthcare patients looking to explore retainer medicine arrangements, here are some important points to look out for:
Board-certified physicians.
Make sure that your chosen concierge medicine practice is staffed by board-certified physicians and medical professionals, with a proven track record in elderly healthcare.
Clear, consistent communication.
When it comes to personalized medicine for seniors, reliable communication is imperative.
Look for concierge medicine practices that prioritize consistent, transparent communication, those that keep patients in the loop regarding the geriatric care and senior wellness programs they will receive.
Convenient senior healthcare appointments.
Given the nature of geriatric medicine patients (i.e. not tech savvy, might have poor eyesight, limited mobility, etc.), concierge medicine appointments should be convenient and senior patient-proof.
Opt for a senior medical care practice that offers flexible and easy scheduling, as well as same-day or next-day appointments.
Comprehensive elderly healthcare.
Choose a practice that provides comprehensive senior care coordination, including access to specialists, hospitals, and other senior health services.
Fees and payment structures in concierge medicine for seniors.
When choosing the right concierge medicine membership, it is important to look into the annual/monthly fees and retainer structure the practice offers. Clarify whether any additional costs or expenses come with the subscription.
Concierge medicine for seniors is a great option for patients who value personalized, convenient, compassionate geriatric care. If you are looking into elderly healthcare in concierge medicine, these questions may help you arrive at a final decision:
If you answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, concierge medicine for seniors may be the perfect fit for you or any of your loved ones.
