Senior housing's preventive approach to care contributes to increased quality of life for residents and reduced healthcare costs over time, according to a new analysis  conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago and supported by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care.

The analysis  assessed the sustained impact senior housing has on residents’ health and medical costs and found that older adults who remain in senior housing utilize less acute care services and see their health stabilize for several years after moving in.

Researchers also found that senior housing can promote the health and wellness of residents with neurodegenerative diseases by reducing the number of hospitalizations and readmissions, providing relief for family caregivers, and enabling timely access to care in a supportive environment, ultimately leading to greater longevity.

While residents experience higher volumes of primary and supportive care visits to stabilize their conditions in their first year in a senior living community, older adults see measured improvement by the third year after moving in. For example:

• Approximately one in four residents had a hospital admission in year three, compared to one in three in the first year.
• The proportion of residents with an emergency department visit declined by 14% from year one to year three.
• Average total Medicare costs per patient were $7.2K lower in year three than in year one.
• By year six, residents had more healthy days at home, fewer hospitalizations, fewer emergency department visits, fewer skilled nursing facility stays, and lower costs of care.

The research is part of an ongoing initiative led by NIC, in collaboration with NORC, to assess how senior housing supports the health and well-being of older adults

For the full methodology and findings, click here