Service-Enriched Housing: The Staying at Home Program

Introduction: 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. Method: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.