A new research brief from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston offers a wide range of lessons to help housing communities implement a service coordination model developed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in which the “role of the service coordinator has evolved to a more proactive level of coordination, engagement, outreach, assistance, and case management.”

Enhancing Service Coordination in HUD-Assisted Senior Housing Communities: Lessons for Implementation begins by describing a gradual change in the characteristics and needs of older adults living in HUD-assisted housing communities as current residents grow older and new residents move in at advanced ages. Research cited in the research brief shows that a significant portion of these residents have multiple chronic conditions, need help with both routine activities of daily living and personal care activities, and are experiencing behavioral health issues or social circumstances that make it challenging for them to identify, access, engage in, and maintain services and benefits.

This research compliments a resource created by LeadingAge Mass. and MassPACE that encourages connections between housing and PACE programs to support older residents.

More information on the research by the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston is available here.