Provision of on-site services in retirement housing

The present paper addresses the question of on-site supportive services in retirement housing facilities for the well-elderly. Six hundred residents were interviewed, 100 at each of six widely varied sites in California: retirement hotel, urban highrise apartments, life-care home, and three retirement villages. Data were also collected on 600 matched controls in age-integrated housing. Questions were asked pertaining to caring for health needs, desire for counseling services, and expected support in crises. Results showed for the most part a good match between personal needs and environmental provisions. However, at one site considerable insecurity was expressed with regard to medical provisions and support in crises, and a desire was expressed for counseling services. There was no evidence of an erosion of independence at the sites where services are provided.