Community Health Workers Provide Critical Support for Older Americans

These trusted intermediaries help bridge the gap between patients and the healthcare system

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:27am

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A translucent X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structure of a medical device, representing the unseen work of community health workers in supporting older patients.Community health workers provide a vital link between older patients and the healthcare system, addressing non-medical needs that often go unnoticed.Hood River Today

Community health workers like Sandy Guzman are playing a vital role in supporting older Americans, particularly in rural and low-income areas, by addressing non-medical needs like transportation, housing, and social isolation. Their work has been shown to reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations, leading to significant cost savings for the healthcare system.

Why it matters

As the U.S. population ages and healthcare resources become strained, community health workers are emerging as a crucial link between patients and the medical system. By providing personalized, on-the-ground support, they are able to identify and address issues that doctors often miss during brief appointments.

The details

Community health workers like Sandy Guzman drive to visit patients in their homes, where they can better understand the challenges they face. This includes helping arrange transportation to medical appointments, applying for housing and food assistance, and providing emotional support. They also screen for mental health issues and medication management problems, relaying their observations to the patient's care team.

  • On a recent Monday, Guzman visited a patient in her 60s in The Dalles, Oregon.
  • The next day, Guzman visited a woman with heart failure who required constant oxygen.
  • On Wednesday, Guzman drove 20 miles to Hood River to see an 81-year-old woman whose partner was battling cancer.

The players

Sandy Guzman

A community health worker in rural Oregon who visits patients in their homes to address non-medical needs.

Dr. Elizabeth Eckstrom

The chief of geriatrics at Oregon Health and Science University, who helped oversee the start of the Connected Care for Older Adults program that employs community health workers.

Dr. Manali Patel

An oncologist at Stanford University who found similar benefits and cost savings for older patients with advanced cancer when using lay health workers to help them understand their options and document their preferences.

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What they’re saying

“It's like being the eyes and ears for the doctors, to see what's happening outside the 20 minutes they get to spend with patients.”

— Sandy Guzman, Community Health Worker

“Community health workers should be part of every health care team. They support the patient in ways the medical system just can't, no matter how hard we try.”

— Dr. Elizabeth Eckstrom, Chief of Geriatrics, Oregon Health and Science University

“Lots of people were passing away in the I.C.U. If we'd asked, they probably would have wanted to be at home. Oncologists are notoriously bad at engaging in and documenting those conversations.”

— Dr. Manali Patel, Oncologist, Stanford University

What’s next

The Connected Care for Older Adults program in Oregon continues to receive grant funding, allowing community health workers like Sandy Guzman to maintain their vital support for elderly patients. However, the long-term sustainability of these programs remains a concern, as funding sources are often unstable and piecemeal across different states and healthcare systems.

The takeaway

Community health workers are proving to be a cost-effective and impactful way to support the growing population of older Americans, particularly in rural and underserved areas. By addressing non-medical needs and serving as a bridge between patients and the healthcare system, they are helping to improve health outcomes and reduce costly emergency department visits and hospitalizations.