scholarly journals Housing Models Promoting Aging in Community-A Brief Report on Key Lessons Learned

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Su-I Hou ◽  

The majority of older adults prefer aging in their own homes or communities. Four promising housing models promoting Aging-In-Community (AIC), including the village, Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), senior cohousing, and University-Based Retirement Community (UBRC) were reviewed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142110154
Author(s):  
Su-I Hou ◽  
Xian Cao

Aging in Community (AIC) is the preferred way to age. This systematic review identified promising AIC models in the U.S. and analyzed model characteristics and push-pull factors from older adults’ perspectives. Push factors are those driving older adults to leave, while pull factors attract them to stay in a community. We conducted a two-phase search strategy using eight databases. Phase I identified promising AIC models and Phase II expanded each specific model identified. Fifty-two of 244 screened articles met the criteria and were analyzed. We identified four promising AIC models with the potential to achieve person-environment (P-E) fit, including village, naturally occurring retirement community (NORC), cohousing, and university-based retirement community (UBRC). Each has a unique way of helping older adults with their aging needs. Similar and unique push-pull factors of each AIC model were discussed. Analyses showed that pull factors were mostly program factors while push factors were often individual circumstances. Continued research is needed to address the challenges of recruiting minority older adults and those of lower socio-economic status, meeting older adults’ diverse and dynamic needs, and conducting comparative studies to share lessons learned across the globe.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S408-S408
Author(s):  
Su-I Hou ◽  
Carrie Graham ◽  
Emily Greenfield

Abstract This symposium introduces key aging-in-community models and programs, with a particular focus on program and policy planning strategies. Villages are a new, consumer-directed model that aim to promote aging -in-community through a combination of facilitated social engagement, member-to-member support, volunteer opportunities, and collective bargaining for services. Dr. Graham from the University of California will share results from both a national survey of Village directors and a survey of village members, summarizing Village organizational development trends and members’ perceived impacts. Dr. Gilcksman from Philadelphia Corporation for Aging will share how older adults who do not participate in a Village create their own informal social and service network to maintain themselves and to accomplish the same goals as a Village, building community at the neighborhood level. Additionally, Dr. Hou from the University of Central Florida will discuss lessons learned on program planning strategies among older adults participating in three programs promoting aging-in-community: a university-based lifelong learning program (LLP), a county neighborhood lunch program (NLP), and a Florida Village program as a comparative case study. Finally, Dr. Glass from the University of North Carolina Wilmington will share the current trend of the new senior cohousing model, promises and challenges for older adults providing mutual support to each other as they age together. This symposium will further discuss strengths and weakness, and planning strategies of the various AIC models and programs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1987-2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
EMILY A. GREENFIELD ◽  
REBECCA L. MAULDIN

ABSTRACTNaturally Occurring Retirement Community Supportive Service Programs (NORC Programs) constitute a national model in the United States of America that aims to benefit older adults ageing in place in their own homes and communities. One central aspect of NORC Programs is the provision of community activities to facilitate older adults’ connections with others. Guided by ecological systems theory, we explored from older adults’ perspectives what influences their participation in the community activities offered by NORC Programs, as well as the meaning of the social contact that such participation affords. We used data from an in-depth interview study with 41 older residents across seven NORC Program sites in the greater New York City area. Themes regarding influences on participation included individual circumstances (personal desire for social activity and health status), programmatic factors (relationships with staff and appeal of the activities) and community contexts (appeal of the other attendees). Perceptions of other attendees also emerged as an influence on the social effects of participation, which ranged from experiencing social contact alone to creating independent friendships. Overall, findings indicate that programme features combine with individual and community contexts to influence diverse experiences of community activities. In addition to implications for organisational practice, we interpret the results in terms of directions for future research regarding how community-based organisations can influence social integration in later life.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Nathan A. Lewis ◽  
Naomi Reesor ◽  
Patrick L. Hill

Abstract Despite the growing use of retirement communities and ageing care facilities, little is known about how residing in retirement residences may impact aspects of older adult wellbeing. Living in these communities may hold particular influence on residents’ sense of purpose, if they feel limited in their opportunities for individual action, or could serve to promote purposefulness depending on the social connections available. The current study sought to explore contributing factors as well as barriers to purpose in older adults living in three continuing care retirement communities. Using brief semi-structured interviews, 18 older adults were asked to describe their purpose in life, community-related activities and any perceived challenges limiting their ability to pursue this purpose. Thematic analysis was used to examine themes common across interviews. Interviews presented a mixed picture of the nature of purposefulness in retirement facilities. Residents espoused several benefits of community living such as social and leisure opportunities, while also noting several obstacles to their purpose, including health concerns and the belief that purpose in life was not relevant for older adults. These findings provide insight into how older adults can derive a sense of purpose from activities within their retirement community and how facilities can better tailor programmes to promote purposefulness and support personally valued roles for residents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 950-950
Author(s):  
Jamie Rincker ◽  
Jessica Wallis ◽  
Angela Fruik ◽  
Alyssa King ◽  
Kenlyn Young ◽  
...  

Abstract Recommendations for older adults to socially isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic will have lasting impacts on body weight and physical activity. Due to the pandemic, two in-person RCT weight-loss interventions in obese older adults with prediabetes, Veterans Achieving Weight Loss and Optimizing Resilience-Using Protein (VALOR-UP, n=12) and the Egg-Supplemented Pre-Diabetes Intervention Trial (EGGSPDITE, n=7), were converted to remote formats and weekly nutrition (EGGSPDITE and VALOR-UP) and exercise (VALOR-UP only) classes were delivered using synchronous videoconference technology (Webex); classes were accessed via tablet/desktop/laptop or smart phone. Steps taken to transition participants to remote formats included technology training, implementation of staff tech-support, and delivery of nutrition education, tablets, scales, and exercise bands. The time to successfully transition participants was 1 week for early adopters (n=10) and up to 4 weeks for those with significant technology barriers (n=9); their difficulties included internet access, camera and microphone access and use, and electronic submission of weight and food records. Even with these challenges, in the first 3 months of remote delivery, participant dropout rate was low (10.5%, n=2), attendance was high (87.6% nutrition class (n=19); 76.4% exercise class (VALOR-UP, n=12)), and weight loss was successful (>2.5% loss (n=13); >5% loss (n=8)), showing that lifestyle interventions can be successfully adapted for remote delivery. Remote interventions also have potential for use in non-pandemic times to reach underserved populations who often have high drop-out rates due to caretaker roles, transportation limitations, and work schedules. These barriers were significantly reduced using a virtual intervention platform.


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