Walnut Hills Stories

Moving into a senior living facility is a big life decision you and your loved ones may be wrestling with. New research shows that moving into a quality senior living facility offers several notable benefits for older adults, particularly regarding health and well-being. The study shows that seniors experience decreased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes once they transition into a supportive and social environment such as a senior living facility, assisted living facility, or independent living facility.

One key advantage of senior living is the enhanced access to healthcare services. Residents receive more comprehensive healthcare within a senior or assisted living community than those living independently. This includes increased primary care and additional visits from specialists such as podiatrists, psychiatrists, and cardiologists, ensuring more personalized care and consistent medical attention.

Moreover, older adults in senior living arrangements enjoy increased longevity. Studies indicate that seniors live longer on average and exhibit a lower mortality rate compared to those living on their own. This extended lifespan is attributed to more days of home healthcare, on-demand preventive and rehabilitative services, significantly reduced falls and in-home accidents, and a reduced overuse of anti­ psychotic medications by medical professionals who may be less knowledgeable of older adults' history and ongoing circumstances.

In addition to improved longevity, senior living residents benefit from better health outcomes. They experience fewer inpatient hospital admissions, suggesting a more effective management of their health conditions within a senior living facility than without. Senior living residents also report an increased feeling of well-being psychologically, which is attributed to increased physical exercise, more social interaction, and less time spent alone in isolation.