Healthy Aging in Subsidized Housing in the United States: Exploring Older Adults' Views of Service Coordination

Low-income older adults face many barriers to healthy aging, including housing cost burden. Publicly subsidized rental units for older adults are one affordable housing option; these typically have a service coordinator who helps tenants access community resources. Previous research has indicated that service coordinators can support resident health. However, little is known about older adults' perspectives on service coordination. Our study aimed to explore how older adults living in subsidized housing perceive the relationship between service coordinators and healthy aging.

We conducted 5 focus group discussions with residents of 3 subsidized housing communities for older adults, all in medically underserved urban areas. Participants, 48 in total, were asked about barriers to healthy aging, resources for healthy aging, and what role, if any, service coordinators play in supporting healthy aging. Content analysis was used to identify themes emerging from the data.

Data analysis yielded 90 codes and subcodes falling under 4 themes: challenges in healthy aging, assets for healthy aging, perceptions of service coordinator role, and suggestions for improvement. Across focus groups, participants highlighted that service coordinators can connect residents to health-related assets. Participants also desired future opportunities to make their perspectives on healthy aging heard.

Service coordinators are important, underrecognized collaborators for older adult health. Future healthcare interventions and policies should seek to support service coordinators and leverage their ability to connect older adults with healthcare professionals and community services.