Service-Enriched Housing: The Staying at Home Program.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether service-enriched housing (i.e., the Staying at Home [SAH] program) in publicly subsidized buildings for low-income older adults influenced resident outcomes. Eleven elderly high-rise buildings were used. Seven buildings had the SAH program and four did not. Information was collected from resident questionnaires, housing managers data, and medical information. A total of 10 desired outcomes were proposed as part of SAH (e.g., health improvements, receive more non-institutional services, receive more preventive services, and be less likely to be institutionalized). Information was collected over the course of the SAH program every 6 months from December 2008 through June 2011. Overall, 736 surveys were completed by SAH program participants and 399 were completed by control group participants. Seven of the ten desired outcomes were achieved, and in 3 of the ten cases, no differences between the SAH group and control group were identified. The program was also beneficial with respect to cost savings. On the basis of these findings, the SAH program should be viewed as a success. In this case, service-enriched housing for elders in high-rise buildings would appear to be beneficial.