According to a new Commonwealth Fund survey, older Americans were more likely to suffer economic pandemic-related difficulties compared to older citizens in other rich countries.
In a survey of adults aged 65 and over in 11 of the world’s richest nations, 19% of American adults reported consuming most or most of their savings or losing sources of income. during the pandemic, the highest percentage in any country. The percentage is almost seven times higher in Germany, where 3% of older adults reported financial difficulties.
The gap was further sharpened when survey results were disaggregated by race. Latin Americans and black Americans had higher rates of economic hardship compared to white Americans, with 39% of Latin Americans and 32% of black Americans reporting difficulties compared to 14% of whites. Americans.
“Despite having health insurance, older adults in the United States face much greater economic challenges than Covid-19 compared to their counterparts in other high-income countries,” Reginald Williams told reporters. lead author of the survey.
The survey confirms what has long been known about racial wealth shortages in the U.S., especially among older Americans. A report by the Congressional Research Service in April 2021 reported that 18% of elderly American blacks and 17.1% of Hispanic Americans were in poverty in 2019, compared to 6, 8% of non-Hispanic white Americans.
The survey also found that older Americans with multiple chronic health conditions were slightly more likely to cancel or postpone medical consultations due to the pandemic, and 37% reported alterations in their care. Older Americans were also more likely than their counterparts in most other countries to report that they did not receive the help they needed with their daily activities during the pandemic.
While older Americans are eligible to receive health care through Medicare and Social Security assistance, many older Americans have trouble paying bills, especially health care bills that are not fully covered. for Medicare.
Researchers behind the survey recommend that U.S. leaders work to reduce care barriers for American seniors, including increasing affordability and access to primary care sources and broadening services. social issues that can solve inequalities.
“The health and financial security of older adults in the U.S. will only improve when our leaders address these disparities and ensure that all Americans can have affordable, high-equality care,” Williams said.
The Senior Citizens League, a group that advocates for older Americans, is campaigning for Congress to distribute a fourth round of $ 1,400 stimulus checks only to older Americans who receive social security . Americans 62 years of age or older are entitled to social security. A survey by the organization showed that one-third of U.S. retirees spent emergency savings during the pandemic and 19 percent visited a pantry or applied for food stamps.