Adapting for the older adult in your community Aging in Place Initiatives

What is aging in place?  Aging in place refers to living in your own home, by choice, remaining independent with a high quality of life.

Why have this conversation?  By 2030, senior population will double  Long term care is costly  Most people want to remain in their own home/community

Why Your Community?  Growing population of older adults  Many people retiring  STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY  VITAL OLDER ADULTS  Need for coordination

Why aging in place? Research suggests Lutgendorf, Reimer, Schlechte & Rubenstein, 2001, remaining at home is better because relocating to an assisted living or nursing home facility causes disruption, increases stress and the chance of illness. Relocation to a nursing home is also associated with higher mortality rates (Nishita & Pyroos, 2010). If physical, mental, social and financial health is sustained, aging at home is a good option (Nishita & Pyroos, 2010).

Approaches A. Naturally Occurring Retirement Community [NORC] B. Village Movement C. Combination

Examination of two approaches 1. What is a NORC? What is a village movement? 2. Are they effective and viable solution? 3. Can an aging in place initiative be easily implemented?

 Naturally Occurring Retirement Community  Based on demographics  Funding sources available  Limited to geographical area  Village Movement  Based on membership, avg.cost $640  Unlimited geographical scope  Some funding NORC and Villages

Two Approaches BOTH: support older adults to remain in their own homes coordinate services and programs maintain/increase quality of life and reduce costs

Research on Quality of Health Quality of Life Age HealthIncome Social connections

Hypothesis (H1) H1 Cross-tabulations and multiple regression analysis Quality of life is the dependent variable (D)  Age  Health  Income  Social Connections are the independent variables (IV)

Results (H1) Quality of Life Age No association Health 27% association Income 21% association Social Connections 54% association

Aging in place Higher satisfaction rate/ quality of life Lower hospital visits and transfers to nursing homes Residents show a decrease in depression and an increase in happiness an 89% satisfaction rate among residents when: there is successful coordination between agencies key stakeholders support sustainable funding area seniors are involved

Successful Aging in Place Aging in Place Funding Key stakeholders Service coordination

Replication Can an aging in place initiative be easily replicated?  characteristics of the community  demographics  service resources  key stakeholders  focus groups

First step  Community assessment includes many pieces to examine and evaluate agencies infrastructure characteristic faith institutions public and private agencies key stake holders feasibility

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Practical Concerns Costs The national average cost per individual can be broken down as follows: $90,000 of long-term uncovered costs are associated for one senior (Knickman, 2002).

Practical Concerns  Estimated annual cost of service 100 seniors 50 seniors  One coordinator, full-time, salary and benefits$ 40,000 $20,000  One nurse/health care worker, salary per diem$ 25,000 $12,000  Collaboration with partners$ 10,000 $3,000  Office space and supplies (in kind)0  First year costs $75,000 $35,000

Conclusion Reduced hospital visits Increased quality of life Reduce costs Remain at home Funding Empowers older adults Aging in Place is good for communities and older adults