Week 12: Concluding Thoughs

Hi everyone! Welcome to my final Senior Project blog post. In this post, I will reflect on my experience, share some of my key takeaways, and provide links to my completed project materials.

Final Reflections

Over the past several months, I have explored how older adults perceive the affordability and stability of out-of-pocket healthcare costs. What began as a broad interest in healthcare policy evolved into a project that allowed me to directly hear the experiences of more than 115 individuals navigating the healthcare system.

One of the most significant findings from my research was the relationship between insurance status and healthcare access. Uninsured respondents were substantially more likely to delay or reduce care due to cost, while even many insured participants reported financial strain associated with deductibles, copayments, prescription costs, and uncovered services. Medicare recipients, despite having coverage, frequently described concerns about prescription affordability and unexpected healthcare expenses.

Another major finding was the impact of chronic illness on financial burden. Many participants I interviewed were managing conditions such as diabetes and discussed difficult decisions regarding medications, appointments, and treatment plans. Several respondents described delaying care due to cost, while others reported taking on debt or reducing spending in other areas of their lives to afford medical care. These stories reinforced the idea that healthcare affordability extends beyond insurance coverage alone.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the project was the emotional dimension of healthcare costs. Many respondents expressed anxiety and uncertainty surrounding medical expenses, often worrying about what future treatments or emergencies might cost. Through both the quantitative survey results and qualitative interviews, it became clear that healthcare decisions are influenced not only by medical need but also by financial risk and uncertainty.

Beyond the research itself, this project taught me valuable skills in literature review, survey design, interviewing, qualitative coding, statistical analysis, and data visualization. I also learned how to create graphs using Python to better communicate my findings. Most importantly, I learned how to conduct independent research and adapt when challenges arose, including changes to my participant pool and research design.

My internship at JASA added another meaningful dimension to this experience. Whether helping organize events, supporting administrative projects, cataloguing artwork created by seniors, or interacting with staff and residents, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role community organizations play in supporting older adults.

Looking back, this project strengthened my interest in healthcare policy, economics, and research. It showed me how data and personal experiences can work together to tell a more complete story about complex social issues. As I prepare to begin my studies at Wharton, I am excited to continue exploring how policy, business, and research can be used to improve people’s lives.

Final Project Materials:

Final Research Paper

Senior Project Presentation

Thank you to my advisors, mentors, JASA staff, interview participants, and everyone who supported me throughout this project. Your guidance, feedback, and willingness to share your experiences made this research possible.

Thank you for following along throughout my Senior Project journey!