Millions of people in the U.S. are taking injectable GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, and now there is even a CMS subsidy for certain GLP-1 medications. But the drug hasn’t had much of an impact on senior living operations or residents thus far
Operators like Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA) are seeing more older adults enter communities using GLP-1 injections to treat blood glucose levels in diabetes treatment, but not as often for weight management, according to HRA National Director of Health and Wellness Jacki Kleffman
Some older adults may not be able to take GLP-1 treatments due to comorbidities, and Kleffman said usage remains low across HRA communities, as few as one resident using GLP-1 injections in a 100-plus unit community
“It’s a little early to tell, and it’s not well-tracked across the industry,” Kleffman said. “But typically, the residents that use one of these injectables, they’re using them for diabetic management.”
While still a minority, Kleffman sees a potential future rise in GLP-1 use as primary care providers prescribe them as options for older adults in managing diabetic care
“What I am seeing is that it’s more so new residents moving in that are managing diabetic care, but it is something that is allowing our residents a little bit of latitude to manage weekly injections and maintain compliance,” Kleffman said
In the context of senior living, Kleffman said GLP-1 use could evolve to be more common among older adults treating diabetes and blood sugar management
Outside of senior living, GLP-1 use has more than quadrupled since 2021, according to a report by Epic Research. According to KFF polling data, GLP-1 usage among 50 to 64 is the highest rate of adoption with 22% currently using the treatments. In independent living, Kleffman said it is not common for senior living providers to track medication management for residents, meaning that senior living providers may have more older adults using GLP-1 treatments with no way of quantifying use data
“In assisted living, that opens the door for increased tracking and to have more insight into things like diet or medication management, but it’s all about quality of life,” Kleffman said. “But I think that the positive effects of using GLP-1s prior to older adults moving into senior living remains to be seen.”
But a potential uptick in GLP-1 use by older adults could ultimately help improve the quality of life because of the more targeted blood sugar management and help older adults be more active and have conditions “better managed over time,” Kleffman added
If GLP-1 use is used in conjunction with diabetic care, Kleffman sees an opportunity to help older adults better maintain independence as they age. Alongside GLP-1 use, continuous blood sugar monitoring systems that are noninvasive are also helping more people manage diabetes going forward
“I think it’s a very positive addition to diabetic management, and it opens it up for more residents with diabetes living longer in a less complex manner,” Kleffman said. “That, hand-in-hand with GLP-1, it allows people living longer with diabetes to continue to thrive and stay healthy.”
HRA offers residents personalized diet options to match the nutrition needs of older adults managing chronic health conditions, including things like a “carb consistent diet” for managing carbohydrates or sugar intake. This allows residents to have more options in dining choices combined with focusing on providing less processed food and more healthy options, Kleffman said
Will Sellheim, managing director in the provider strategy and care transformation practice at ATI Advisory, told Senior Housing News earlier this year that GLP-1 use in senior living could increase as side effects and results are more widely known
“I don’t think they fully grasp the magnitude of the people that are on it and I think they can only benefit from receiving information and knowing their residents are on a GLP-1,” Sellheim said. “There’s also GLP-1 use that’s being prescribed privately outside of the medical system, so there’s just no awareness.”
Companies featured in this article:
ATI Advisory, Harbor Retirement Associates, HRA
