Orange County demographics will skew older in coming decades
Medicare limitations pose challenge to addressing the needs of seniors, says UCI Health expert
IN THE NEWS: One in three residents in Orange County will be over the age of 65 in the next several decades. The county recently released a Master Plan for Aging report, a roadmap for public investments to address challenges facing older adults while also supporting their overall well-being.
Dr. Sonia Sehgal, a UCI Health geriatrician, spoke with Voice of OC about Medicare as a costly health insurance option for older adults.
“To age is very expensive. We know that Medicare, which is the primary insurer for people over 65, doesn’t cover very basic things. For example, hearing aids and dental care are not covered and are often very expensive out of pocket.”
Orange County’s older adults’ top health concerns include Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, heart disease and stroke, along with emotional well-being. Plus, they might experience challenges accessing care and advocating for themselves due to a language barrier.
Sehgal sees patients at UCI Health Senior Health Services. Her clinical interests include healthy aging, hypertension, osteoporosis, preventive medicine and elder abuse.
She is a professor of general internal medicine and primary care in the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Sehgal is also the fellowship director of the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program.
To make an appointment, call 714-456-7007.