A pilot program that allows low-income seniors to remain in their affordable apartment communities and receive free medical attention just steps from their homes near Sacramento, Calif., has earned a national award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
LifeSTEPS and USA Properties Fund’s RN Coaching PILOT Program has earned a 2020 HUD Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes, an annual recognition that promotes healthier housing through partnering, outreach, and innovative practices. HUD and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) has recognized only 22 programs since the national award started in 2015, including five programs this year.
“It is heartwarming to receive this award, as in the past we have watched our seniors be prematurely placed in skilled-nursing facilities, and this program clearly saves money and returns the dignity to our seniors as they successfully age in place,” says Beth Southorn, executive director of LifeSTEPS.
The RN Coaching PILOT Program is one of the first of its kind in California and helps seniors, many who have health issues and can’t easily get to a doctor, to “age in place,” thanks to an on-site registered nurse who visits their senior communities every week, according to officials.
“Access to health care is a huge issue for low-income seniors, and having an RN available for residents improves their health, reduces costs, saves time, and helps them stay out of the hospital and in their homes longer,” says Geoff Brown, president of USA Properties. “Health is a primary reason why seniors are forced to leave their homes for assisted-living facilities and nursing homes, or move in with family members.”
Roseville, Calif.-based USA Properties, one of the largest affordable housing developer-builder-managers in the West, and LifeSTEPS, which provides social services at many USA Properties-owned communities, share the cost for the pilot program.
It is available to residents at Sierra Sunrise in Carmichael and Vintage Oaks Senior Apartments in Citrus Heights. USA Properties recently sold Creekside Village Apartments in Sacramento, which had also participated in the pilot program.
More than 900 seniors have accessed the RN Coaching PILOT Program since it started in spring 2016, saving government health insurance programs like Medi-Cal almost $1.2 million. And the percentage of residents moving out of the apartment communities for health issues has dropped 70% during the past four years, report program leaders.
With the RN Coaching PILOT Program, low-income seniors dealing with allergies, a nagging cold or cough, or even chronic conditions—such as arthritis, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure—are able to get the health care they need at their apartment communities, according to Meredith Chillemi, director of aging and education services for LifeSTEPS. The registered nurse also assists residents with managing their medications, preventing falls in their apartments, and navigating the often complex world of health care, from choosing a new provider to completing confusing insurance forms.
The program also provides hands-on health care training for nursing students from the Betty Moore School of Nursing at the University of California, Davis. Several nursing students and their nurse adviser have been meeting with patients every week this summer.
USA Properties and LifeSTEPS have been working on finding funding for the program, meeting with elected representatives and health officials during the past few years. A state senator introduced a bill (SB 1292) in February that would have expanded the program to five counties and receive state funding as part of a pilot program. But the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the state’s budget challenges shelved the effort, according to USA Properties.
The other 2020 awardees are:
LIVEWELL: Active for Life, Housing Authority of Jackson County (HAJC) in Medford, Ore. (Cross-Program)
HAJC created a new and supportive resident services program model, providing central hubs focused on the specific needs of its low-income populations. This project provides easier access to age-friendly and healthier lifestyle opportunities focused on physical, mental, and social health, and more opportunities for on-site volunteer work, while creating an improved living environment and producing more social connectedness. The focus remains steadfast in creating a healthier living environment and producing more social connectedness opportunities—an important key to longevity and well-being.
Community Health Connections, Asian Pacific Self-Development and Residential Association (APSARA) in Stockton, Calif. (Public Housing)
APSARA is an association of Cambodian refugees that self-manages a 209-unit HUD-subsidized affordable housing property in Stockton. The project attained three key goals: 1) culturally competent health education opportunities increased outreach and health care access for at-risk populations and underserved populations; 2) support and trust from community leaders increased, empowering the Community Health Connections to work with families to learn about health problems and find the best solutions; and 3) healthy behaviors and active living increased so that clients with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and other health conditions demonstrated measurable improvement after participation in this project.
Radon Testing and Mitigation in Public Housing, Home Forward in Portland, Ore. (Policy Innovation)
In 2013, HUD issued a notice encouraging public housing agencies to test for and mitigate elevated radon levels. In response, Home Forward worked to develop clear testing, retesting, and notification guidelines and procedures to reduce exposure to radon. Home Forward has committed itself to reducing hazardous exposure and improving the lives of its residents. These efforts will reduce the overall risk of lung cancer for adults living and working in the properties it owns. For children growing up in public housing, the impact could be far greater, with increased quality of life due to the reduction of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, and a greatly reduced chance to develop lung cancer later in life.
Home Environmental Interventions to Improve the Health of Older Adults, The University of Massachusetts in Lowell, Mass. (Research)
The goal of this research project was to conduct multifaceted home environmental interventions involving low-income older adults with asthma and evaluate the effective of these interventions in improving health outcomes and reducing environmental asthma triggers. Results were statistically significant reductions in self-reported environmental asthma triggers with health improvements found in doctor visits, use of antibiotics for chest problems, respiratory symptoms, and improved quality of life indicators. Public housing agencies, owners, and managers of privately owned assisted housing can use the study findings to improve their maintenance and operational practices for elder/older adult housing.
