JAHF/TSF Poll: New NORC Survey of Older Adults Reveals Impact of COVID-19

NORC Survey Findings: New Survey of Older Adults During the First Month of COVID-19 Social Distancing

A nationwide survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago and co-designed and funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation and The SCAN Foundation details what adults aged 70 and older have been experiencing over the past month of social distancing due to COVID-19.

The April 10-15 survey of 1,039 community-dwelling older adults finds that the majority (55%) have canceled or delayed medical care since social distancing began due to COVID-19, including one in six who have delayed essential medical treatments. The nationally representative survey reveals that 20% of older adults have had a telehealth appointment, and almost half (49%) say the experience was about the same as their in-person visits.

Respondents answered about issues relating to their health, medical care, telehealth, daily living, isolation, and their sources of trusted information. Findings are detailed in the chart pack.

Media coverage includes:

  • Health Affairs GrantWatch, What Have Foundations Been Doing In The Fight Against COVID-19? Part III, Lee-Lee Prina
  • Open Minds, 55% Of Older Adults In The U.S. Have Experienced Disruptions In Care Due To Coronavirus
  • The New York Times, With Red Tape Lifted, Dr. Zoom Will See You Now, Paula Span
  • US News & World Report, Pandemic Delaying Medical Care of Older Americans, Steven Reinberg
  • KHN Morning Briefing, Putting Off Health Care: 31% Of All Americans Delay Trips To Doctors; More Than 50% Of Seniors Cancel Appointments
  • NPR, Survey: 1 in 6 Older Americans Delayed Or Canceled Medical Care In March, Ina Jaffe
  • HealthLeaders, More Than Half Of Seniors Report Coronavirus-related Care Disruption, John Commins
  • Home Health Care News, COVID-19 Interrupts Seniors’ Medical Care

To read NORC's press release, click here.
To go to the chart pack, click here.
To go to the poll results, click here.