Older Adults Report Positive Experiences with Team-Based Approach to Care

A new survey commissioned by the John A. Hartford Foundation explores older Americans’ experiences with and attitudes toward aspects of team-based health care and other key services of the patient-centered medical home model. The survey shows that older adults who receive team care recognize a difference it has made in improving their health. Data also show that many of those who do not receive elements of team care are interested in getting this type of care, and see promise in the difference it can make in their health. 
 
PerryUndem Research/Communication conducted a national survey of n = 1,107 adults 65 and older January 30 through February 3, 2014. The margin of sampling error is + 3.9 percentage points. 
 
Among the key findings are: 

• When presented with a description of team care, about one in four (27%) older Americans say the description sounds like the care they receive. A large majority (83%) of those who receive team care say getting this type of care has made a difference in improving their health. 
• Among respondents who do not receive team care (or are unsure), 73% say they would want this type of care. 
• The survey explores reactions to many components of team care and the medical home model, including enhanced access to providers, care coordination, and provider-initiated care. The findings are consistent: those who experience each component say it has made a difference in improving their health, and many of those who do not receive aspects of team care want it.