Characteristics of health care interventions in affordable senior housing: A scoping review

Abstract

AimsOlder adults in affordable senior housing often experience chronic illness and unmet health care needs. This review describes studies reporting the characteristics and primary outcomes of health care interventions for older adults living in affordable senior housing. DesignA scoping review MethodsAfter a systematic search in three databases, a team of investigators screened 1,284 titles and abstracts and selected 31 records with reports on 28 studies for review. Narrative synthesis was used to describe studies of interventions in senior housing and primary outcomes. ResultsStudies typically used observational designs and added clinical staff, such as nurses and social workers, to provide health care interventions in groups (n = 15) or with individuals (n = 13). Outcomes were classified in four groups: wellness, symptom management, health care use, and physical function. A subset of 23 studies (82.1%) reported effective interventions. ImpactFindings identify innovative interventions to promote health in affordable senior housing.