A Characterization of Older Adults in Primary Care in Three Canadian Provinces

BACKGROUND: Understanding the characteristics of older patients in primary care is important to develop appropriate and targeted programs. OBJECTIVE: We describe the characteristics of older adults (aged 70+) accessing primary care in three Canadian provinces. METHODS: Participants (n = 594) completed a survey package comprising demographics, health system usage, presence of chronic conditions, and a quality-of-life measure, the EQ-5D-5L. Frailty was assessed using a deficit accumulation frailty index (FI). FINDINGS: The most common chronic conditions reported were high blood pressure (51.1%), osteoarthritis (37.2%), diabetes (22.8%), and heart disease (21.8%). Mean FI was .153; 22.9 per cent were frail (FI > 0.21). Females reported higher levels of pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression than males; females also reported lower levels of education and income. Mean self-rated health was similar for males and females, but a higher proportion of men reported optimal health across the EQ-5D-5L dimensions. DISCUSSION: Our study provides benchmark and baseline data helpful to others planning primary care for older adults.