Wellness programming in senior housing can not only be good for resident health, but it can also be good for returns on investment, according to a new report.

The International Council on Active Aging/ProMatura Wellness Benchmarks surveyed 3,400 seniors across 99 senior living communities to discover how wellness practices impact resident well-being. Vancouver, BC-based ICAA collects information on cognitive, emotional, environmental, physical, social, spiritual and vocational wellness by recording residents’ engagement and community perception. Programming includes physical activity, brain games, volunteering, and arts and culture activities.

The report found that residents who participated in wellness programming stayed in independent living two years longer than all other residents, leading to increased revenue and less care needed for residents.

Residents in continuing care/life plan, independent living, combined independent and assisted living communities all reported higher levels of life satisfaction after participating in wellness programs. Happier residents translates to more referrals and longer length of stay. 

Half of the surveyed residents said they were attracted to a community because of wellness programming, positively impacting occupancy. 

“Professionally staffed, comprehensive wellness programs are key services that help residents live independently for a longer period of time and raise their levels of satisfaction with the community — both results that directly add to the bottom line,” ICAA CEO Colin Milner said.