Supporting Older Adults Through Healthcare Visits: The Impact of Companions
A new survey reveals that companions significantly enhance healthcare experiences for older adults, improving communication, emotional support, and care quality. Learn how encouraging companion involvement can benefit seniors' health management.
A recent survey highlights the significant role that companions play in enhancing healthcare experiences for older adults. According to data from the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging, a substantial portion of individuals aged 50 and above bring a friend or family member to their medical appointments, including virtual visits. In the past year, 38% had a healthcare companion attend at least one appointment, and 4% specifically participated in telehealth sessions with them. Conversely, 34% had accompanied someone else, with 4% attending their loved one's telehealth visit. Most older adults (92%) found the presence of a healthcare companion helpful, with nearly all caregivers (99%) recognizing the positive impact they had.
Healthcare companions support patients by asking questions, clarifying medical advice, assisting with follow-up actions, and providing emotional or mobility support. Their involvement tends to improve communication with healthcare providers and the overall quality of care, with 83% of in-person or virtual appointment attendees feeling more comfortable sharing health information, and 79% better able to follow medical instructions.
The poll also reveals demographic trends: spouses or partners are the most common companions, cited by over 70% of those who brought someone, followed by adult children. Women are slightly less likely than men to bring someone along, but more likely to act as a companion themselves. Those with mobility or health issues are more inclined to have a companion, highlighting the importance of support for vulnerable populations.
However, a majority of older adults (62%) do not routinely bring a health companion to appointments. Reasons vary from believing they don’t need help to not wanting to be a burden or lacking available support. Experts suggest healthcare systems could do more to encourage the inclusion of companions, both in-person and via telehealth, by creating supportive environments and offering options for patients without someone to accompany them.
Overall, encouraging the involvement of healthcare companions can substantially improve health management, especially for those with complex needs, and foster more effective healthcare interactions for older adults.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-pairing-health-older-adults-poll.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Study Finds Link Between Air Pollution and Increased Risk of Brain Bleeding
New research links high levels of air pollution to an increased risk of brain hemorrhages, emphasizing the importance of environmental health for cerebrovascular disease prevention.
Rising Concerns About Concussions in Martial Arts Amid Increased Popularity
Recent research reveals a significant increase in concussion injuries among martial arts practitioners, especially during training sessions, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures and awareness.
Disproportionate Impact of Heart Disease Mortality on Low-Income Communities in California
A comprehensive study reveals that heart disease mortality rates are disproportionately higher in low-income communities in California, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention and policy efforts to address health disparities.
Innovative Breath Analysis Improves Anesthesia Dosing in Pediatric Surgery
A pilot study shows that exhaled breath analysis can improve the precision of anesthesia dosing in children, enabling safer surgeries through real-time monitoring of drug levels and stress responses.