According to a recent study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, older adults are less vulnerable after moving into senior housing.
Older adults have heightened frailty or vulnerability to illness and mobility challenges before, and just after, entering a senior housing and care property, but that quickly levels off and ultimately declines after move-in.
“As we age, illness, frailty, and mobility limitations are associated with increased risk for hospitalization, decreased quality of life, and even mortality,” said Shannon Fenerjian, RN, CDP, Regional Director of Resident Care and Compliance, Welch Senior Living. “Here at Welch Senior Living, we bear witness to these evidence-based findings in the daily lives of our residents. Our Wellness Teams encourage and support residents in maintaining an appropriate level of independence to preserve their optimal physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Our communities offer robust life enrichment activities specifically designed by trained, highly skilled Life Enrichment Coordinators fostering meaningful engagement for our residents. Via new friendships, social activities, and so much more, our residents are overcoming loneliness and isolation. Our communities provide a range of housing options where individuals enjoy unique amenities while maximizing their independence.”
The study, funded through a grant from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, reviewed residents from 14,201 senior living properties and found that they experienced a 10% decline in relative frailty levels one year after moving in.
“Non-medical care and services like socialization, transportation, exercise, balanced nutrition, medication management, and others have a positive impact on a resident’s health,” said Dianne Munevar, lead researcher at NORC.
“Showing that vulnerability levels off and then declines after entering senior living is an important finding, especially for senior housing residents,” added Raymond Braun, president, and CEO at NIC. “For residents, it suggests that this kind of housing can help restore a measure of vitality and independence.”
“Making the move into Senior Housing can be a daunting decision for all,” added Fenerjian. “But we hear time and time again how thankful families and friends are knowing their loved ones are finally experiencing the enhanced lifestyle they deserve.”
To learn more about life at Duxbury House Memory Care Residence, contact Mary Brennan at mbrennan@welchhrg.com or 781.298.0297 today.
About the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), a 501(c)(3) organization, works to enable access and choice by providing data, analytics, and connections that bring together investors and providers. The organization delivers the most trusted, objective, and timely insights and implications derived from its analytics, which benefit from NIC’s affiliation with NIC MAP Vision, the leading provider of comprehensive market data for senior housing and skilled nursing properties. NIC events, which include the industry’s premier conferences, provide sector stakeholders with opportunities to convene, network, and drive thought leadership through high-quality educational programming. For more information, visit NIC’s website and follow NIC on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About NORC at the University of Chicago
NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, NORC has conducted groundbreaking studies, created, and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with NORC to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.
About Welch Senior Living
Founded in 1949, Welch Senior Living is committed to providing unsurpassed senior housing and care for the South Shore in Duxbury, Hingham, Marshfield, and Weymouth. Welch Senior Living offers a range of housing choices, hospitality, and care services in supportive, compassionate, and caring environments, ensuring independence, dignity, and continuity of care. These include independent living, assisted living, and assisted living memory care.