The influence of age on perceptions of anticipated financial inadequacy by palliative radiation outpatients

Abstract

Objective: A consistent body of knowledge suggests that with advancing age, adults tend to report lower financial strain from their current economic condition. But are more negative perceptions shifted onto their expectations about their future economic condition? This study of seriously ill outpatients investigates whether advancing age is related to more negative expectations of future health-related financial strain, in which illness progression would necessitate greater health care consumption.

Methods: Ordinal probit multivariate regression was conducted on survey findings from 268 outpatients initiating palliative radiation for recurrent cancer. Half were retirees age>/=65. Age comparisons are reported when there was no recent work transition.

Results: As age advances (from 40 to 84), outpatients incurring low objective financial stress were more likely to reveal that their health insurance and finances would be less adequate to meet future health needs.

Conclusion: Previously, these outpatients were reported to minimize perceptions of current financial strain as age advances. Therefore, older outpatients may cope with current circumstances by displacing perceptions of financial inadequacy onto plausible future situations of cancer progression demanding greater healthcare consumption.

Practice implications: Financial strain may be hidden in older outpatients initiating palliative radiation. These outpatients appear at risk of foregoing appropriate healthcare. Targeted screening and advocacy are warranted.

Figure 1

Inadequacy of Insurance & Financial Resources as Age Advances for Three Levels of Objective Family Financial Stress (Outpatients without Recent Work Transition)