195364 Seniors Aging Safely at Home: Identifying Risk Factors of Seniors Living Independently

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Rachel Bell , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Francois H. Coutu , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Robert C. Johnson , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Brendan Kelley , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Shailen Mhapsekar , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jane Roberts , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Healther Viani , University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Kim Fitzgerald , Cathedral Square Corporation, South Burlington, VT
Jennifer Hunter , Cathedral Square Corporation, south Burlington, VT
Thomas V. Delaney, PhD , Dept. of Pediatrics, VCHIP, UVM College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Patricia Berry, MPH , Vchip, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Jan K. Carney, MD MPH , Department of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
Introduction: In recent years, the aging population in Vermont has challenged the community to find ways to better deliver health care to senior residents.

Objective: Our project evaluated numerous risk factors for declining physical and mental health of the elder residents living in independent-living housing sites.

Methods: Collaborating with Cathedral Square Corporation (CSC), a local non-profit organization that manages senior housing properties, we administered surveys to 115 CSC residents at 3 different sites to assess their overall health. Surveys targeted general health information, nutrition, emotional and physical health, and cognition. Information garnered from the survey will be utilized to create and implement programs that enable seniors to safely and successfully age in place.

Results: We found that 47% of subjects passed the cognitive screen, and pass rates on the cognitive screen tended to decline as age increased.  Further analyses demonstrated 37% of subjects recall falling at least once in the past year, 18% reported eating fewer than 2 complete meals per day, and residents were taking an average of 6 prescribed medications per day.  While the majority of residents claim to have enough contact with family and friends, 34% percent reported feeling “down-hearted or blue”.

Conclusions: We have identified a low pass rate in a cognitive screen among a population of elder residents who are living independently. This and other risk factors support CSC's idea to offer additional services so that residents may safely age in place in the community.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify risk factors for seniors living independently in the community 2. Discuss potential next steps and community-based services.

Keywords: Aging, Housing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am part of the research and leadership group of students that implemented this project in our community. I was involved in project design, implementation, and presentation of results.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Special Topics in Aging
See more of: Gerontological Health