MSGID: 1:317/3 64703619   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Living in an almshouse boosts life expectancy    
    Living in an almshouse can boost the longevity of its residents by as   
   much as two-and-a-half years compared to their counterparts in the general   
   population    
      
     Date:   
         May 25, 2023   
     Source:   
         City University London   
     Summary:   
         Analysing up to 100 years' worth of residents' records from various   
         almshouses in England, new research suggests that living in these   
         communities can reduce the negative impact on health and social   
         wellbeing which is commonly experienced by the older population   
         in lower socioeconomic groups, particularly those individuals who   
         are living in isolation.   
      
      
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   Living in an almshouse can boost the longevity of its residents by   
   as much as two-and-a-half years compared to their counterparts in the   
   general population, according to a new Bayes Business School report.   
      
   Almshouses provide affordable community housing for local people in   
   housing need. They are generally designed around a courtyard to provide a   
   'community spirit', that is synonymous with the almshouse movement. They   
   offer independent living but provide friendship and support when needed.   
      
   Analysing up to 100 years' worth of residents' records from various   
   almshouses in England, the research suggests that living in these   
   communities can reduce the negative impact on health and social   
   wellbeing which is commonly experienced by the older population in lower   
   socioeconomic groups, particularly those individuals who are living   
   in isolation.   
      
   The results are very encouraging. They show that, for several of the   
   almshouses included in the study, residents can expect to live as long   
   as wealthier members of the general population despite coming from the   
   most deprived quintile. This shows that the disparity in longevity and   
   health outcomes could be mitigated even after reaching retirement age,   
   provided a suitable social infrastructure can be put in place.   
      
   The report, authored by Professor Ben Rickayzen, Dr David Smith, Dr   
   Anastasia Vikhanova and Alison Benzimra, concludes that almshouses   
   could help the Government's aims to reduce inequalities in mortality,   
   which are observed between socioeconomic groups, by reducing the social   
   isolation experienced by many in the older population.   
      
   Titled 'Almshouse Longevity Study -- Can living in an almshouse lead to   
   a longer life?', the report's key findings are:   
       * Residents in almshouses in England receive a longevity boost   
       relative to   
         people of the same socioeconomic group from the wider population.   
      
       * The best-performing almshouses in the study so far have shown   
       a longevity   
         boost which increases life expectancy to that of a life in the   
         second- highest socioeconomic quintile -- a remarkable outcome.   
      
       * As an example, the authors estimate that a 73-year-old male   
       entering an   
         almshouse such as The Charterhouse today would receive a longevity   
         boost of 2.4 years (an extra 15% of future lifetime at the point of   
         joining) compared to his peers from the same socioeconomic group,   
         and 0.7 years when compared to an average 73-year-old from the   
         general population.   
      
       * This longevity boost could be due to both the strong sense of   
       community   
         and social belonging within almshouses which lead to better physical   
         and mental health. Enhanced wellbeing helps to mitigate loneliness   
         which is endemic in older age groups.   
      
   Professor Ben Rickayzen, Professor of Actuarial Science at Bayes   
   Business School, said: "It is well known that, on average, the lower a   
   person's socioeconomic status, the lower their life expectancy. However,   
   intriguingly, our research has found that this doesn't have to be the   
   case. We discovered that many almshouse residents receive a longevity   
   boost when compared to their peers of the same socioeconomic status from   
   the wider population.   
      
   "More research is needed to ascertain exactly what factors cause almshouse   
   residents to have a longer life; however, we postulate that it is the   
   sense of the community that is the most powerful ingredient. For example,   
   a common theme within the almshouses included in the study is that they   
   encourage residents to undertake social activities and responsibilities   
   on behalf of their fellow residents. This is likely to increase their   
   sense of belonging and give them a greater sense of purpose in their   
   everyday lives while mitigating against social isolation.   
      
   "We would encourage the Government to invest in retirement communities,   
   such as almshouses, which would be in keeping with their overarching   
   levelling up agenda. While this agenda is commonly associated with   
   enhancing equality on a regional basis, it is important that levelling up   
   should also aim to combat health inequalities experienced by people from   
   lower socioeconomic groups across the country. There is an opportunity   
   to improve the Government's levelling up agenda by incorporating the   
   best features of communal living into their social housing policy. This   
   should make a significant difference to the quality of life experienced   
   by the older population across the UK.   
      
   "The findings from this research are important as they could offer   
   solutions to the social care problems currently being experienced   
   in the UK."  Alison Benzimra, a co-author of the report and Head   
   of Research at United St Saviour's Charity, said: "Many almshouse   
   trustees and staff members anecdotally believe that almshouse living is   
   beneficial for residents. The results from this study demonstrate that the   
   community spirit provided by almshouses does in fact result in longer life   
   expectancy. These findings are encouraging to those living and working in   
   the almshouse community and provide the motivation to continue to explore   
   what it is about almshouses' physical design and support services that   
   result in positive outcomes for older residents. This study strengthens   
   the case that this historic form of housing is addressing the evolving   
   needs of older people living in our modern-day society."  Nick Phillips,   
   CEO, The Almshouse Association, said: "We are delighted to read this   
   report. It is further evidence that the almshouse model -- 1,000 years   
   after its inception -- seems to be adding something special to the lives   
   of residents. There is a growing body of research that is suggesting   
   this model of community housing seems to be right for the future. This   
   must now beg the question, where are the philanthropists to lead this   
   robust charity housing model into the next century?"  Susan Kay, Chief   
   Executive of Dunhill Medical Trust, said: "It's been great to support   
   this piece of work and to see it take its place in the wider body of work   
   about the characteristics of age-friendly living spaces and supportive   
   communities. A one-hundred-year life is now a realistic expectation and   
   we need to build on this learning to create the homes and communities   
   that will be so important for the health and wellbeing of us all."   
   Nigel Hulme, a resident of the United St Saviour's Charity almshouse,   
   explained how much living in the almshouse has helped him in his later   
   years: "Moving to Hopton's Gardens has been a godsend. To have a roof over   
   my head has helped me to deal with my addiction issues, and having the   
   support from the staff and my neighbours has made my recovery possible."   
   The study was sponsored by the Dunhill Medical Trust and the Justham   
   Trust and was supported by The Almshouse Association   
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   Story Source: Materials provided by City_University_London. Original   
   written by Chris Lines.   
      
   Note: Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230525141438.htm   
      
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