Older Adults and Healthcare Gaps: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious gaps in healthcare for older adults across Europe. A recent study dug into this issue, using data from two large surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021. The research focused on older adults who missed out on medical care due to fear of infection, postponed appointments, or were denied treatment. The study found six distinct groups based on their healthcare experiences. Some people had no unmet needs, while others faced persistent barriers. Interestingly, some groups saw their situations improve over time, while others got worse. This shows that the pandemic's impact on healthcare was not uniform. Who was most affected? The study highlighted several high-risk groups. Women, people with lower education, those facing financial hardship, and individuals with multiple chronic conditions were more likely to have unmet healthcare needs. This suggests that existing inequalities were exacerbated during the pandemic. The study also looked at factors like age, living arrangements, and rural/urban residence. These details help paint a clearer picture of who was most vulnerable. For example, people living in rural areas or those with poor self-rated health were more likely to face barriers to care. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers. By understanding which groups were most affected, targeted interventions can be developed. This could help address healthcare disparities during future crises.