On New York University Week: How does housing affect which older adults go into a nursing home?

Melissa Bergh, PhD student at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, takes a look at three ways.

Faculty Bio:

Marissa Bergh, BSN, RN, is a PhD student at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her research focuses how housing environments shape long-term care trajectories for older adults. Working as geriatric care nurse in New York City, she found her passion supporting older adults to age in their homes — regardless of if that home was a fourth-floor walk-up, a single-room occupancy unit, or a luxury high-rise. Recognizing the vast disparities within the healthcare system surrounding effective delivery of this care, she decided to pursue her doctorate degree at NYU to research how to improve the integration of housing services and long-term care.

Transcript:

The United States is grappling with an ongoing housing crisis that profoundly affects older adults. Today, 20% of older adults spend more than a third of their income on housing, and only 4% of U.S. housing units are considered age friendly. Without affordable, accessible housing, older adults may be unable to remain at home, making a nursing home move more likely. To understand exactly what aspects of housing play a role in whether older adults end up in a nursing home, we synthesized nearly 25 years of research from a range of disciplines, including economics, sociology, and healthcare. We found three key ways that housing shapes whether someone moves to a nursing home. First, housing costs and ownership status are key drivers of financial strain. Homeowners can leverage their home’s value to help fund community-based care, such as hiring a home health aide. Renters, by contrast, face far greater financial vulnerability: rising housing costs and limited affordable housing can price them out of their communities, making nursing home placement more likely. Second, as people age, their homes often can’t keep pace with their changing needs. When homes can’t be adapted to match declining mobility or memory issues, nursing homes may seem like the only safe alternative. Third, housing-related inequities compound risks for marginalized communities. Older adults in racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities disproportionately face housing challenges — including living in under-resourced neighborhoods, experiencing homelessness, and facing greater housing cost burdens — all of which increase their risk of nursing home placement. Our review underscores that housing is a healthcare issue. Where someone lives shapes whether they can age in their community or move to a nursing home.

Read More:

[National Library of Medicine] - How Housing Influences Nursing Home Utilization in the United States: An Integrative Review

[McKnights] - When housing needs and skilled nursing demand intersect, where do real solutions live?

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Melissa Bergh, New York University - How Housing Influences Nursing Home Moves

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Melissa Bergh, New York University - How Housing Influences Nursing Home Moves