Estimates of Gaps in Supportive Housing Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness in New York City Boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate gaps in supportive housing services for racially and ethnically diverse older adults with SMI residing in supportive housing.

METHODS: This study had a total of 753 respondents split into two diagnostic groups, the Delusional and Psychotic Disorders Group, and the Mood (Affective) Disorder Group. Demographic and primary ICD diagnosis data (F2x and F3x) were extracted from medical records. Three elements were measured: supportive housing service needs, fall prevention, and activities in daily living and instrumental activities in daily living. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequencies and percentages) were used in assessing the demographic characteristics of the sample.

RESULTS: Respondents had reasonable fall prevention measures in place, did not have challenges carrying out activities in daily living or instrumental activities of daily living and did not need homecare services (n = 515, 68.4%). Respondents needed support managing chronic medical conditions (n = 323, ∼43%). Approximately 57% of the total respondents in this study (n = 426) reported the need for hearing, vision, and dental services. Respondents showed high levels of food insecurity (n = 380, 50.5%).

CONCLUSIONS: This is the most extensive study of racially and ethnically diverse older adults with SMI residing in supportive housing. Three areas of unmet need were found: accessing hearing, vision, and dental services, managing chronic health conditions, and food insecurity. These findings can be used to develop new research programs addressing the needs of older adults with SMI and improve late-life circumstances for older adults with SMI.