Are Retirement Community Residents Healthier?

800-394-9990 | retirementlivingsourcebook.com 59 Life Plan Residents Healthier New Study Reveals Positive Impact of Communities A new study shows that life plan community residents are healthier— and happier—than their peers who remain in the larger community. Conducted by Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging in partnership with Northwestern University, The Age Well Study is a national longitudinal study evaluating the impact of living in a Life Plan Community on residents’ health.

More than 5,100 residents from 80 Life Plan Communities across the country are participating in the study. Participant’s survey results will be compared to a demographically similar sample of older adults who live in the larger community, drawn from the Health and Retirement Study conducted by the University of Michigan.

While the study will track wellness among life plan community residents for five years, the first year results were recently released, and they are extremely encouraging. Life plan community residents experienced greater emotional, social and physical wellness (among other metrics) when compared with peers who remained in the community. Emotional Wellness

Life plan community residents tended to be more satisfied with life and have a more positive attitude about the future. The higher levels of emotional health among residents may be largely due to the services offered at life plan communities, according to the study. For instance, residents do not have to spend time on home and yard maintenance and can therefore focus on the activities and pursuits they enjoy. Social Wellness

Life plan community residents frequently find that they have more time for socialization and an expanded network of potential friends, compared with their peers who remain in the community. Residents at life plan communities benefit from the wide variety of activities and social events offered at these communities. They also run a far lower risk of becoming isolated as their mobility decreases or their health declines. The study found that 69 percent of residents felt that moving to a life plan community had “somewhat or greatly improved” their social wellness. Physical Wellness

Remaining physically active and eating a balanced diet are vital to healthy aging. The Age Well Study found that staying active is easier for life plan community residents. This is likely due to the fact that most life plan communities have fitness centers, aerobics studios, swimming pools and group exercise options. Life Plan community residents also tend to have healthier, more balanced diets. Implementing Results The Age Well Study seeks to show which community factors are most associated with positive outcomes for residents. While preliminary results demonstrate that life plan community residents are already healthier than their peers who remain in the community, the results of this study will ultimately help communities deliver resources and programs to further improve the lives of residents—helping them remain active and engaged for decades to come.

For more information or to review the complete study, visit www. matherlifewaysinstituteonaging.com/ agewellstudy/. Life plan community residents experience greater emotional, social and physical wellness when compared with their peers who remain in the larger community, according to The Age Well Study. 69: percent of residents who felt that moving to a life plan community had “somewhat or greatly improved” their social wellness. — The Age Well Study by Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging