By Wendy Sarubbi, University of Central Florida, July 22, 2021
As the population ages, communities must adopt more creative ways to help older adults stay mentally and physical healthy and engaged, especially in light of the social isolation caused by COVID-19, according to a UCF population health researcher.
In a recent study in Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Su-I Hou, professor and founding director of UCF’s School of Global Health Management and Informatics, identified models of how older adults can best “age in community” — a more updated approach than “aging in place,” which primarily focuses on keeping older adults out of long-term care facilities and in their own homes.
Community models, she explained, understand the role of the environment in keeping older adults healthy and recognize that living alone in their homes — even safely — can experience isolation, as seen by many during the pandemic. These community approaches also recognize that older adults must find ways, and support systems, to better navigate and adapt to their environment as they age. Simply being able to live at home is not enough.
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