Our Parents, Ourselves: Health Care for an Aging Population

Using Medicare claims data, this report examines the demographics of older adults, including age, race, enrollment status, and other characteristics, to understand who are the older adults of today in the U.S. It explores the care experienced by this population, looking at the number and types of care providers they see, along with the frequency with which they have contact with the health care system. It identifies areas in which patient-centered improvements are most needed for older patients, as well as recognizes areas in which those improvements are already under way. Finally, it notes the distinctive challenges and opportunities presented by special populations, including people with multiple chronic conditions and dementia.