Informing Best Practice for Supportive Housing with Care for Older Adults: A Qualitative Investigation of Service User Views

Worldwide the older adult population is increasing, with subsequent socioeconomic challenges. Internationally, a well-recognised model that enables healthy ageing is “supportive housing with care,” which provides care for older adults that can function with basic support. In Ireland, policy toward public provision of older adult care is nursing home based. To inform policy further, this study explores the views of service users of supportive housing with care facilities. An instrumental case study methodology was adopted with a sample of 30 participants. Six residents participated in focus groups (n = 5) across three facilities (n = 30). Four themes emerged: Reasons for coming to live in the center; Experiences of supportive housing with care; Experiences of alternative care and; Suggestions for improvements. Results demonstrated resounding positivity for the supportive housing with care model. It is necessary however to be mindful that success lies in an older adult housing policy that provides choice, which is underpinned by the concept of person centered care.