Health and wellbeing survey in retirement living

Research Priority: Optimising health and wellbeing
Researchers: Liz Cyarto, Judy Lowthian, Marissa Dickins, Angela Joe
Study population: Retirement living

Currently approximately six per cent of those aged ≥65 years live in retirement communities and this proportion is predicted to increase in coming years. However, very little is known about the health and wellbeing of these residents. We designed a survey with Bolton Clarke’s retirement living service to provide insights into residents’ health and wellbeing.

Residents of 14 communities were asked about their health (such as unplanned hospital admissions, pain and medications), wellbeing (such as life satisfaction, social connection and caregiving), independence with everyday living activities (cleaning, meal preparation, receipt of personal care and support services) and mobility (such as moving about within and outside of the community, falls and level of physical activity).

We are now analysing the patterns of health and wellbeing in this group. Findings will be used to inform program and service development to meet residents’ current and future needs.