The Nature of Roles on Health and Well-Being of Older Adults in Congregant Living

Abstract

This study examined the functional and psychological abilities of newly admitted female residents to several continuing care retirement communities (CCRC's) in central New Jersey in an attempt to understand why some residents rapidly suffer functional and emotional decline, while others do not. The study supports previous findings that membership in roles promotes health and well-being, but the quantity of roles may be equal to or even less a factor than consistency of membership in even a single role. While membership in many roles has been proven to enhance the quality of life for older adults, membership in a single role may offer the same benefits.