The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47584

Priscilla K Killian, MSN CPNP RN, College of Nursing & Health Professions, MCP Hahnemann, 1505 Race Street MS 501, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 1215 762 8298, pkk22@drexel.edu

Many seniors who live in subsidized senior citizen housing move in when they are in the 6th decade of their lives and can function independently. Health professionals and family members are often unclear of the issues that confront independent elderly persons who are increasingly physically and mentally dependent and the factors involved in their transitioning to alternative living arrangements. This study looked at how independent and active seniors in a subsidized senior citizen housing complex viewed their increasing physical and mental dependence, what the seniors knew about available resources for persons with increasing physical and mental dependency and how increasingly frail seniors would know when it was time to move from their independent living facility to one that supported the necessary care they needed. Follow up health promotion activities were designed with a core group of tenants to help interested seniors within the building to explore barriers to end of life decision making and identify community assisted living options and nursing homes, housing preferences for their future physical or mental dependence and strategies for involving their family in this process.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify 3 issues that confront independent elderly persons as they become increasingly physically dependent.
• Discuss barriers involved in assisting seniors to identify and acknowledge increasing dependence and to decide where they would like to go when they are no longer able to live independently.
• Identify health promotion topics and programs that will assist low income seniors to participate in planning for their increasing physical dependence and disability.

Keywords: Aging, Housing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.