CEAL@UNC aims to involve consumers in all efforts, so that practice, policy, and research are community-engaged and responsive to consumer needs and desires.
One such effort is CEAL’s mission to translate research so that it is useful for current and prospective assisted living residents, families, and staff.
Another effort is the Be Well in AL (Assisted Living) Coalition, promoting the implementation of expert recommendations for medical and mental health care in assisted living. The coalition developed a Resident/Family Checklist to be used by residents and their families considering or residing in assisted living.
Current Projects
Translating Research for Practice and Policy
Thousands of research papers are published in academic journals about practices, policies, and outcomes in assisted living, but few of them are available to assisted living organizations, providers, staff, policy makers, advocates, educators, and residents and their families.
The CEAL@UNC website compiles research published in academic journals, along with the abstract that summarizes the results of the studies. Also, a user-friendly “What This Means for You” section is added to each resource. People interested in learning more about the research are encouraged to Contact Us.
The medical and mental health care needs of assisted living residents have increased over the last decades, raising concern about the suitability of services to address those needs. Recently one of the journals of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published Recommendations for Medical and Mental Health Care in Assisted Living Based on an Expert Delphi Consensus Panel.
This first-ever set of recommendations launched the national Be Well in AL (Assisted Living) Coalition, led by CEAL@UNC in collaboration with numerous national organizations. The Coalition has developed a checklist for residents and their families considering or residing in assisted living to begin a conversation with assisted living providers about current and future needs, and how they can be met. See the Practice Core page for more information.
