A survey exploring the mental health care sentiments of more than 3,800 US adults ages 65 and older by online private health insurance firm, eHealth, Inc. (Santa Clara, California) found that the pandemic has changed how older adults feel about their own wellbeing, as well as how they think about mental health care.

Nearly half (48%) of respondents were "very willing" to seek mental health care today, compared to 35% before the pandemic. Nearly 40% said pandemic conditions have made them feel more lonely and isolated. Since the pandemic began, 9% of older women received mental health care treatment for the first time in their lives.

Additional findings:

• Respondents are willing to talk about mental health but many don't address it with their doctors: 66% said they are just as willing to talk about mental health care as they are about any other form of medical care. However, 51% have never talked about mental health with their regular doctor.
• Mental health care benefits matter: 72% said mental health benefits are important to them when picking a health insurance plan; 64% said mental health benefits are just as important as other forms of medical care.
• 61% didn't know that Medicare provides mental health care benefits.

Read the full report, “Seniors speak out on mental health,” here

 

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