With a fresh wave of free COVID-19 rapid tests now shipping to households nationwide, and many other types of at-home medical tests now available on store shelves and websites, a new study looks at what older adults think about this newfound ability to get answers to medical questions without leaving home. The study, based on data from a survey of people between the ages of 50 and 80, asked about their experiences with and views about many types of at-home tests. It included questions about tests for cancer, infections, allergies, genetic traits and more—both tests that give immediate results and those that get mailed in.
In general, 48% of older adults had bought at least one of these tests in the past, not counting free COVID-19 tests and other free tests, according to findings published in the journal INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing and based on data from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. Almost all—91%—of those who had bought a test said they'd do it again in the future. Nearly 80% of them saw at-home tests as more convenient than a conventional medical test, 60% called them trustworthy and 75% said they give good value for the money.
But even among older adults who hadn't yet tried at-home testing at the time of the poll, 75% said they'd likely try one in the future, and 71% said they saw such tests as more convenient, though much lower percentages said they were trustworthy or a good value. Differ.
