Evaluation of a Wellness Program For Affordable Senior Housing Residents

TL;DR

A wellness program for affordable senior housing residents improved health and well-being through support from nurses and health workers.

Contribution

The study evaluates a novel wellness program combining health support and community engagement for seniors in affordable housing.

Findings

Over 94% of participants found the program's support helpful, reporting improved health and social connections.

Residents with wellness plans experienced positive changes like healthier eating and better disease management.

Higher life optimism and better physical health were linked to specific program services like follow-ups and exercise encouragement.

Abstract

Volunteers of America National Services’ (VOANS) Aging with Options (AWO) program - funded by and developed in partnership with Parker Health Group - is designed to support wellness and improve chronic disease management for residents in affordable senior housing. The intervention, piloted at one housing site, provided in addition to an existing service coordinator, a wellness nurse and a community health worker to help engage residents in healthy behaviors and connect them with resources. The evaluation effort assessed participants’ perceptions of the program’s impact by implementing a resident survey (N = 69); and determined the program’s effect on health outcomes by analyzing service- and health-related data collected regularly by program staff (N = 99). Over 94% of AWO participants reported that the supports received from AWO program staff were helpful. The most frequently mentioned program benefits were an improved sense of health, enhanced well-being and safety, and greater social connection. Residents who developed a wellness plan - for which they identified health and wellness goals and steps to achieve these goals - reported experiencing positive changes such as eating healthier food, greater success controlling health conditions, and exercising more. Regression analyses conducted to identify service-related predictors of health outcomes six months after the program’s initiation showed that higher life optimism was associated with receiving more service instances of ‘follow-up with service providers.’ Further, better self-rated physical health was associated with receiving more service instances of ‘exercise/physical fitness’, ‘socialization’, and ‘encouragement to attend event/program.’” Evaluation findings underscore the program’s benefits for resident health and well-being.