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Caring for an Aging Population in a Post-Pandemic World: Emerging Trends in the U.S. Older Adult Care Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Lu Kong

    (Muma College of Business, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620)

  • Kejia Hu

    (Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37203)

  • Matthew Walsman

    (Rutgers Business School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854)

Abstract

This paper examines older adult care services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Specifically, it investigates emerging developments initiated or augmented by the pandemic and discusses their permanency in a postpandemic world. Primary survey data are collected from both older adult care-providing organizations (supply) and individuals receiving or considering care (demand) in the United States. Qualitative support from various sources supplements the surveys. The results indicate a movement toward deinstitutional care options, which began prepandemic but intensified during the outbreak. Care organizations confirm this development, reporting more occupancy-related concerns. Findings also suggest that telehealth and digital communication tools have substantially expanded. Benefits, issues, and future projections of these trends are discussed, and some suggestions for industry reform are proposed. These results illuminate many actionable ideas for various stakeholders, including older adults, industry practitioners, and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Kong & Kejia Hu & Matthew Walsman, 2021. "Caring for an Aging Population in a Post-Pandemic World: Emerging Trends in the U.S. Older Adult Care Industry," Service Science, INFORMS, vol. 13(4), pages 258-274, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orserv:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:258-274
    DOI: 10.1287/serv.2021.0280
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