A recent nationwide poll conducted by the University of Michigan sheds new light on the often overlooked role of health care companions in the medical experiences of older adults. According to this comprehensive survey, a significant proportion of adults aged 50 and over are either bringing someone with them to their health care appointments or acting as companions for others. These findings reveal that health care companions play a crucial role, not only in facilitating communication between patients and providers but also in enhancing the overall quality of care.
The study, part of the ongoing National Poll on Healthy Aging, highlights that 38% of older adults reported having a health care companion at one or more of their appointments within the past year. This includes a growing trend of companionship during telehealth visits, with 4% indicating someone attended these virtual appointments alongside them. Meanwhile, 34% of respondents have taken on the role of a health care companion for someone else over age 50, underscoring the reciprocal nature of these caregiving and supportive relationships.
One of the striking takeaways from the poll is the overwhelmingly positive perception of the benefits that health care companions provide. An impressive 92% of those accompanied to appointments affirmed that having an additional person present was helpful. Likewise, an even greater proportion—99%—of those who served as companions for others perceived their involvement as beneficial. These statistics suggest that the presence of a companion is not just a passive arrangement, but an active element contributing to improved patient outcomes.
Health care companions perform a variety of vital functions during medical encounters. They help patients articulate questions and concerns to clinicians, assist in interpreting and retaining medical advice, and support logistical needs such as transportation and mobility. Emotional support and reassurance are additional dimensions through which companions contribute, helping to alleviate anxiety that often accompanies health care visits. Collectively, these roles underscore the multifaceted nature of a companion’s contribution, making medical appointments more effective and navigable.
Furthermore, the poll reveals a notable discrepancy between those who utilize health care companions and those who do not. Despite the clear advantages, approximately 62% of respondents reported not having anyone accompany them to a health care appointment in the previous year. Among these individuals, reasons for attending alone varied widely. The majority, about 80%, felt confident managing their appointments independently, while 20% expressly preferred solo visits. However, smaller yet important subsets cited a reluctance to burden others or simply the absence of available companions.
These findings raise important questions about how health care systems might better support and encourage the involvement of companions, especially for older adults with complex health issues or cognitive impairments. The poll’s lead investigator, Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, emphasizes the importance of health care environments evolving to integrate companions more fully, both physically and virtually. This includes creating welcoming spaces within clinics and optimizing telehealth platforms to ensure companions can participate meaningfully in care discussions.
Dr. Kullgren also suggests that for patients lacking personal support networks, health care systems have an opportunity to innovate by offering trained patient advocates or navigators. These professionals could serve as surrogate companions, bridging gaps in social support and facilitating more comprehensive care. Such strategies could be transformative in delivering equitable health services, particularly for vulnerable populations who might otherwise face barriers to effective medical communication and follow-through.
Analyzing the quantitative impact of companions reveals compelling evidence of their contribution to adherence and care quality. Among those accompanied, a notable 83% felt more comfortable sharing sensitive health information, while 79% indicated that companion presence improved compliance with medical instructions. Additionally, 76% acknowledged that companionship positively influenced the overall quality of care they received. These data suggest that companions not only aid immediate communication but also enhance the trajectory of patient health management.
From the perspective of those acting as companions, the perceived impact is even stronger. Nearly 92% reported that their presence helped the patient follow through with provider instructions, and 89% believed their involvement enhanced care quality. This dual viewpoint from both patients and companions solidifies the notion that health care companionship constitutes an underutilized resource with significant potential for improving health outcomes in the aging population.
Demographic analysis further illuminates patterns in companionship involvement. Spouses or partners were the most common companions, cited by 71% of patients who brought someone to appointments and 58% of those who served as companions for others. Adult children frequently played a secondary role, present in about one-fifth of accompanied visits and over a quarter of companion roles. Other relatives and friends participated less often but nonetheless contributed to the caregiving landscape.
Gender differences emerged in the survey data as well. Women were somewhat less likely than men to be accompanied during their own appointments, with 35% versus 42% respectively. Conversely, women were more frequently companions to others, with 38% reporting this role compared to 30% of men. These findings may reflect broader social dynamics related to caregiving and familial support within older adult populations.
The poll also found that older adults with poorer self-reported physical health or disabilities limiting daily activities were more likely to have health care companions. Furthermore, adults over 65 years old had higher rates of companion involvement compared to those aged 50 to 64. This trend underscores the increasing necessity for support as health complexity and care needs intensify with age.
Conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago on behalf of the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, the poll employed a nationally representative sample of nearly 3,000 adults aged 50 to 97. Participants responded via online and telephone interviews in early 2025, with data weighted to reflect the broader US population. The robust methodological framework lends credibility to the findings and offers a valuable snapshot of health care companion dynamics amidst changing health care landscapes.
This research highlights a critical, yet often overlooked element of health care delivery: the integration of social support mechanisms within clinical encounters. As health systems migrate increasingly toward telehealth and patient-centered approaches, recognizing and facilitating the involvement of health care companions promises to enhance communication, adherence, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Future health care innovations must consider companion inclusion not as optional, but as integral to comprehensive care for older adults.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Not provided
News Publication Date: February 2025 (data collection date)
Web References:
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/how-health-care-companions-support-older-adults-appointments
https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/
https://ihpi.umich.edu/
https://michmed.org/Q9veZ
References: National Poll on Healthy Aging, University of Michigan
Image Credits: University of Michigan
Keywords: Older adults, Caregivers, Doctor-patient relationship, Health care delivery, Health care, Health and medicine
Tags: benefits of health care companionscaregiving roles for older adultscommunication in medical appointmentscompanionship in health careenhancing medical experiences for seniorshealth care support for elderlyNational Poll on Healthy Agingolder adults health care companionsquality of care for seniorsreciprocal caregiving relationshipsrole of companions in health caretelehealth visits for seniors
