Elderly Folks Who “live in place” Have Better Health, Longer Lifespan than Nursing Home Residents

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

COLUMBIA, Mo. — As people get older, it might get harder to do everyday activities such as cooking or driving. If a person is unable to take care of themselves, they may need to move into a nursing home or assisted-living facility for extra help. However, new research suggests people who live at home (or “live in place”) are more likely to live longer and healthier lives than those moving to an outside facility.

Most older adults want to live in their homes than go to a nursing facility, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Armed with this information, researchers at the University of Missouri sought to find ways to keep older adults at home without compromising their health and well-being. The team looked at eight years of health data from a senior living facility called TigerPlace that gives support to residents while providing privacy through individual apartments. There is also the opportunity to socialize in different events offered by the facility.

TigerPlace residents — with an average age of 84 — participated in health assessments by registered nurse care coordinated every six months. The exams measured a resident’s ability to complete daily tasks, cognition, depression, physical ability, and risk of falling. The researchers also received data on residents’ activity, respiratory, and heart rate levels through several motion sensors. The team used any abrupt change to the group’s routine or new falls to calculate a person’s risk for illness such as pneumonia.

Living in place leads to fewer falls

Researchers say having the assessments allowed residents to get early intervention and treatment before their condition grew worse. Doing so also allowed residents to be healthier for longer and lower the need for a transfer to a nursing home.

“The benefits of both the regular health assessments and use of non-invasive sensors helped to keep them steady as they age comfortably,” says lead author Lori Popejoy, an associate professor in the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, in a university release. “The goal is to identify slight declines in health as early as possible so the right services can be put into place, whether it is connecting them with a doctor, beginning therapy or starting treatment to depression, whatever is needed based off the assessments.”

The study finds having the opportunity to exercise and engage in social events with other residents displayed a direct connection to a boost in physical and mental health. The continued physical activity improved muscle mass and strength, leading to fewer falls.

“The residents are able to use these services to enhance their quality of life in retirement, which allows them to live longer independently,” Popejoy concludes. “For older adults that are still living at home and maybe starting to notice increased difficulty completing daily activities, or for those who are struggling with social isolation, moving to a facility like TigerPlace can be very helpful for living a healthier life longer and possibly avoiding the need to ever move to a nursing home.”

The findings appear in the journal Geriatric Nursing.

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Jocelyn is a New York-based science journalist whose work has appeared in Discover Magazine, Health, and Live Science, among other publications. She holds a Master’s of Science in Psychology with a concentration in behavioral neuroscience and a Bachelor’s of Science in integrative neuroscience from Binghamton University. Jocelyn has reported on several medical and science topics ranging from coronavirus news to the latest findings in women’s health.

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