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 By 2030, senior population will doublepopulation will double

Long term care is costlyLong term care is costly

Most people want to Most people want to remain in their own remain in their own home/communityhome/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

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

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)

Aging in place

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

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

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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

Aging in Place is good for communities and older adults