We’re making community affordable and health care accessible.
The high cost of housing in Massachusetts is the single biggest cause of economic insecurity among older adults. And, while many Americans equate “aging in place” (remaining in their single-family home) with maintaining independence, it often means aging in isolation — the single biggest public health threat to older adults, surpassing smoking and obesity, and contributing to a doubling of dementia rates, immune system suppression, and increases in heart attacks and strokes. Factor in the need for home modifications, health care, and assistance with daily activities as their abilities and needs change, and many older adults are forced to move to clinical, institutional homes earlier than they would like.
At 2Life, we believe aging in community is the gold standard for senior well-being and accomplishing our mission is about more than building apartments. We’re not only pioneering better, more adaptable affordable-housing options for senior adults, we’re also working in partnership with public and private organizations to improve access to the services and resources residents need to continue enjoying the connectedness and joy of community living for as long as possible.
The success of 2Life’s approach is measurable.
- Through 2Life’s Care Coordination Services, residents receive the individualized assistance and care they need within their community setting. As a result, only two percent of 2Life residents transition to a nursing home — at an average age of 88 years old. Compare this with a national average of 79 years old and a Massachusetts HUD-subsidized housing average of 81 years old.
- In 2018, our 24/7 on-site community staff were able to assist residents and avoid ambulance calls and emergency room visits in 89 percent of pull-cord alerts.
A symbiotic alignment of interests
The 2Life team has a keen understanding of the barriers to housing affordability and access to care. We work every day to create partnerships and programs that leverage the best options for all older adults. How can we make housing more affordable for seniors? What are the eligibility and access points within the current healthcare infrastructure? How can we advocate and lead policy change within the system to make it more effective? Can we provide innovative solutions that combine policymakers’ desire to reduce costs and residents’ desires to live in community, pursue wellness, and avoid moving to an institutional nursing home? These are the questions we ask — and the solutions we’re developing work in everyone’s best interests.
Partnerships for housing and health care integration
2Life’s goal is to work with organizations that offer a range of programs to serve a broad population with community-based services. Following are just some of the partnerships we currently have in place or that are in development.
- United HealthCare (UHC) partnership to improve coordination of care for approximately 200+ Brighton Campus residents who are UHC members. Through this program, 2Life and UHC collaborate on members’ health and wellness interventions to improve outcomes.
- PACE Center at J.J. Carroll on our Brighton Campus will provide comprehensive medical and social services to frail community residents, most of whom are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Services will include primary medical care, nursing, recreational therapies, social services, emergency services, home care, meals, and medical specialty services.
- Opus is a new community-living option for the middle-income market that builds on 2Life’s core services and best practices. Opus Newton and Coleman House will share Resident and Group Services staff and 2Life programming including fitness, wellness and community engagement programs as well as the Joyful Connections program. 2Life is currently exploring partnerships to provide health care services to Opus residents.
- Community Wellness Nursing brings registered nurses to 2Life campuses each week. These nurses provide various wellness services including taking vital signs, assisting with medication management, health education, and consulting and communicating with residents’ medical providers.
- Joyful Connections is a valuable, evidence-based program designed to meet the needs of residents with memory loss and their care partners. 2Life is currently developing best-practice guidelines to share both within and outside our organization.