Shelterforce: Occupational Therapy Can Keep Seniors Out of Nursing Homes
- July 24, 2025
- •Health
As we grow older, most of us share one simple dream: to remain in our own homes, surrounded by familiar comforts and cherished routines. Nearly 80 percent of Americans hope to age in place for as long as possible. Yet for older adults who live in supportive housing—many who’ve overcome homelessness, substance use disorder, or poverty—this basic dignity is at risk of slipping away without proper intervention. Their independence hangs in the balance while an underutilized but highly effective health care solution sits within reach: occupational therapy (OT).
As the CEO of Project Renewal, one of the largest supportive housing providers in New York City, I have seen firsthand how precious independent living can be. The ability to maintain one’s own space—to decide when to wake up, what to eat, and how to spend the day—represents a freedom many of us take for granted. To help older adults maintain their routines and age with dignity, we have worked to expand access to existing OT services.
