As Chief Medical Officer of WebMD, John Whyte, MD, is uniquely positioned to see each the present state of medical look after America's older adults and the way issues will evolve sooner or later. We requested him to share his insights on quite a few subjects, together with some recommendation.

WebMD: What are a number of the greatest healthcare entry challenges dealing with older adults in the present day?

JW: Price, transportation, and high quality of care stay a number of the greatest points in terms of well being look after older adults. Medicare doesn’t cowl 100% of the prices and plenty of sufferers have problem paying their prescriptions and medical payments. In consequence, they generally don't go to the physician as typically as they should, and are sometimes unable to refill their prescriptions. The dearth of enough transportation has made it troublesome for a lot of older adults to obtain care; they merely can’t attend their appointments. As older adults face increasingly well being issues and their time with the physician turns into shorter, it may be troublesome to fulfill all of their well being care wants. In consequence, it may be troublesome to manage circumstances similar to diabetes and blood stress.

JW: Within the brief time period, COVID-19 has had a big impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Immediately, virtually each go to become a digital go to. Sadly, in some circumstances, each the physician and the affected person weren’t sufficiently ready for this abrupt change. Many individuals had been fully excluded or didn’t obtain the very best care. However the information isn’t all dangerous. For others, it was a option to convey the physician to them, as an alternative of getting to go to the physician. Expertise may also help us resolve a number of the transportation issues I referred to above. As we enter “the brand new regular,” I imagine the vast majority of physician visits will likely be in individual, however telehealth will play a a lot bigger function. I additionally suppose we’ll see extra providers delivered on to the house.

WebMD: What’s an important piece of recommendation you’ll give to a affected person or healthcare supplier on learn how to efficiently navigate the healthcare system?

JW: Whether or not you might be advocating for your self or caring for another person, efficiently interacting with the healthcare system requires perseverance. Everyone knows the expression, “the squeaky wheel will get the grease.” Typically you must be a squeaky wheel. The healthcare system may be fairly difficult to navigate. There are various guidelines that may have an effect on your entry to care, and they are often complicated. Typically your method doesn't work the primary time. So you must observe by way of whenever you get entry to sure providers, and you must say one thing. There's additionally an fascinating dynamic amongst older adults in terms of healthcare: They typically say they don't wish to trouble their physician, or that they wish to be a “good affected person.” We have to assist them perceive that being an excellent affected person or an excellent advocate for another person means getting what you must make sure you get high quality care.

WebMD: In case you had been speaking to a beloved one over the age of 70, what’s an important well being care recommendation you’ll give them relating to caring for themselves?

JW: It's by no means too late to reap the advantages of a wholesome way of life. In case you smoke, cease. In case you're not bodily energetic, begin slowly, even when it means not sitting as a lot all through the day. Being energetic doesn't imply you must go to the fitness center. There’s a lot you are able to do at dwelling. Check out what you eat and begin treating meals like drugs. It may be simply as highly effective as a prescription drug — and in some instances, it may assist you get off a number of the drugs you're taking. Lastly, take heed to your physique. In case you really feel unwell, contact your physician.