July 18, 2019
Senior housing, by virtue of its above-average concentration of seniors with complex care needs and high medical costs, provides an opportunity for targeting intensive care management and service coordination to support individuals in their homes, defer institutionalization, and reduce unnecessary and expensive medical care. Across the country, a variety of initiatives have searched for sustainable models of integrated housing and healthcare to support this vulnerable population of low-income seniors.
LTQA partnered with the West Health Policy Center and LeadingAge Massachusetts to test a potential model of integrated long-term services and supports (LTSS) for seniors living in affordable housing in the Boston area. The goal was to determine if the Housing and Healthcare Integration Initiative (the Initiative) could demonstrate value (e.g., improved outcomes and cost savings) using a housing-based team to coordinate residents’ care and services with their health plans.
The Initiative ultimately did not launch given the challenges faced in development; however, there is great value in the creative effort that went into the design of the Initiative and much to be learned from this experience in addressing the challenges that arose.
Resource Links:
Health and Housing Integration Report
Related Media:
Acknowledgements:
LTQA is grateful to LeadingAge Massachusetts and the West Health Policy Center for their involvement in and support for this project.
