BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the United States, a growing number of older adults struggle to find affordable housing that can adapt to their changing needs. Research suggests that access to affordable housing is a significant barrier to reducing unnecessary nursing home admissions. This is the first empirical study we know of to examine whether housing cost burden (HCB) is associated with moves to nursing homes among older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data include low- and moderate-income community-dwelling older adults (N = 3,403) from the nationally representative 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study. HCB (≥30% of income spent on mortgage/rent) and housing tenure (owner/renter) are combined to create a 4-category housing typology. Multinomial logistic regression models test (a) if renters with HCB are most likely (compared with other housing types) to move to a nursing home over 3 years (2015-2018) and (b) if housing type interacts with health and functioning to predict moves to a nursing home. RESULTS: Across all models, renters with HCB had the greatest likelihood of moving to a nursing home. Moreover, self-rated health, physical capacity, and mental health were weaker predictors of nursing home moves for renters with HCB. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that older renters with HCB are most likely to experience unnecessary nursing home placement. The growing population of older renters experiencing HCB may not only signal a housing crisis, but may also challenge national efforts to shift long-term care away from nursing homes and toward community-based alternatives.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the United States, a growing number of older adults struggle to find affordable housing that can adapt to their changing needs. Research suggests that access to affordable housing is a significant barrier to reducing unnecessary nursing home admissions. This is the first empirical study we know of to examine whether housing cost burden (HCB) is associated with moves to nursing homes among older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data include low- and moderate-income community-dwelling older adults (N = 3,403) from the nationally representative 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study. HCB (≥30% of income spent on mortgage/rent) and housing tenure (owner/renter) are combined to create a 4-category housing typology. Multinomial logistic regression models test (a) if renters with HCB are most likely (compared with other housing types) to move to a nursing home over 3 years (2015-2018) and (b) if housing type interacts with health and functioning to predict moves to a nursing home. RESULTS: Across all models, renters with HCB had the greatest likelihood of moving to a nursing home. Moreover, self-rated health, physical capacity, and mental health were weaker predictors of nursing home moves for renters with HCB. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that older renters with HCB are most likely to experience unnecessary nursing home placement. The growing population of older renters experiencing HCB may not only signal a housing crisis, but may also challenge national efforts to shift long-term care away from nursing homes and toward community-based alternatives.
Authors: Caroline F Pearson; Charlene C Quinn; Sai Loganathan; A Rupa Datta; Beth Burnham Mace; David C Grabowski Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2019-04-24 Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Arlene S Ash; Eric O Mick; Randall P Ellis; Catarina I Kiefe; Jeroan J Allison; Melissa A Clark Journal: JAMA Intern Med Date: 2017-10-01 Impact factor: 21.873
Authors: Dawn E Alley; Jennifer Lloyd; José A Pagán; Craig E Pollack; Michelle Shardell; Carolyn Cannuscio Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2011-10-20 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: John G Oetzel; Stacey Ruru; Yingsha Zhang; Mary Louisa Simpson; Sophie Nock; Pare Meha; Kath Holmes; Marama Clark; Hariata Adams; Ngapera Akapita; Kawarau Ngaia; Shane Murphy; Reuben Moses; Rangimahora Reddy; Brendan Hokowhitu Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-12-08