It is crucial for healthcare providers to recognize how socioeconomic and lifestyle-related factors influence the way older adults seek medical treatment and adhere to care plans.  A deeper understanding of these influences presents an opportunity to improve patient engagement and outcomes through informed and practical care strategies.

Non-Medical Risk Factors in Health Outcomes

To understand the broader challenges affecting older patients and their care, providers must consider various non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These include economic status, educational background, access to care, living conditions, and social support networks. Research indicates that individuals in lower socioeconomic brackets face higher health risks and reduced life expectancy. Older adults may be particularly affected due to limited income, often relying on Social Security and facing out-of-pocket costs under Medicare.

Age-Related Bias in Healthcare

A key challenge unique to the aging population is age-related bias. Studies suggest that many older adults report frequent experiences of age-based assumptions and differential treatment. These experiences can negatively affect health outcomes. To counter this, healthcare providers should use respectful, individualized language and avoid generalizations. This requires personal reflection and institutionally supported awareness of how age-related assumptions can impact clinical decision-making.

Strategies to Provide Holistic, Informed Care to Improve Patient Outcomes

Improving outcomes for older adults begins with identifying the individual challenges they may face beyond medical diagnoses. Risk factors are often missed in standard interviews, particularly for this population.  An article published in the Family Practice Management journal by the American Academy of Family Physicians provides strategies for use in everyday practice (6). Some of the main takeaways include:

• Utilizing electronic health record (EHR) templates to guide patient questions
• Using ICD-10 “Z” codes to document non-medical factors
• Incorporating pre-visit screenings to streamline patient intake
• Connecting patients with community resources and support networks

Understanding a patient’s personal challenges enables clinicians to tailor care and build a stronger provider-patient relationship. This is especially important for patients with reduced independence or complex caregiving dynamics. Once a clinician is aware of a patient’s specific needs, the patient can be connected to resources and support. Knowledge of significant challenges the patient is facing will allow the clinician to tailor an optimal treatment plan for the patient’s needs.  Special consideration should be given to those patients who are no longer functionally independent and rely on others for their activities of daily living (ADLs). Maintaining the patient’s autonomy while also navigating complex family dynamics plays a role in the patient’s health.