Center for Excellence in Assisted Living CEAL@UNC

Advancing the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living through research, practice, and policy.

BMC Geriatrics

Inactivity Is Isolation: Insights from a Sedentary Time Intervention in Assisted Living

Apr 1, 2025
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This exploratory study included 18 residents across three Canadian assisted living facilities who participated in a 12-week intervention to promote active aging. In post-intervention focus groups, 5 themes emerged: intervention effectiveness, physical and social engagement work together, influence of congregate living environment, environment supporting relationships, and personal preferences. The intervention was considered feasible and acceptable by participants, and could merit further testing.

Inactivity Is Isolation: Insights from a Sedentary Time Intervention in Assisted Living

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This exploratory study included 18 residents across three Canadian assisted living facilities who participated in a 12-week intervention to promote active aging. In post-intervention focus groups, 5 themes emerged: intervention effectiveness, physical and social engagement work together, influence of congregate living environment, environment supporting relationships, and personal preferences. The intervention was considered feasible and acceptable by participants, and could merit further testing.

Participants’ Baseline Characteristics and Feedback of the Nature-Based Social Intervention “Friends in Nature” among Lonely Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities in Finland: A Randomised Controlled Trial of the RECETAS EU-Project

Oct 1, 2024
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This Finnish study conducted a randomized controlled trial of a "friends in nature" intervention for 319 lonely older adult participants from 22 AL communities. General alleviation of loneliness was seen in 57% of residents who received the friends in nature intervention. When asked for their feedback, participants appreciated the experience and 96% would recommend the intervention to other older adults.

Participants’ Baseline Characteristics and Feedback of the Nature-Based Social Intervention “Friends in Nature” among Lonely Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities in Finland: A Randomised Controlled Trial of the RECETAS EU-Project

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This Finnish study conducted a randomized controlled trial of a “friends in nature” intervention for 319 lonely older adult participants from 22 AL communities. General alleviation of loneliness was seen in 57% of residents who received the friends in nature intervention. When asked for their feedback, participants appreciated the experience and 96% would recommend the intervention to other older adults.

Determinants of Received Care Time among Finnish Home Care Clients and Assisted Living Facility Residents: A Time-Motion Study

Sep 1, 2024
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This cross-sectional observational study examined individual and organizational factors associated with received care time for 1477 home care clients and 1538 residents from 61 AL care units in Finland. Physical functioning associated with activities of daily living was the highest predictor of care time in both settings. In home care greater pain, unstable health, and care team autonomy were associated with more care time, whereas depressive mood and higher staffing ratios were associated in AL care units.

Determinants of Received Care Time among Finnish Home Care Clients and Assisted Living Facility Residents: A Time-Motion Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This cross-sectional observational study examined individual and organizational factors associated with received care time for 1477 home care clients and 1538 residents from 61 AL care units in Finland. Physical functioning associated with activities of daily living was the highest predictor of care time in both settings. In home care greater pain, unstable health, and care team autonomy were associated with more care time, whereas depressive mood and higher staffing ratios were associated in AL care units.

Associations between Specialized Dementia Care, COVID-19 and Central Nervous System Medication Use in Assisted Living: A Population-Based Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Aug 1, 2024
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This cross-sectional study examined the associations between AL setting (general or memory care), COVID-19 waves, and drug use among residents with dementia in Alberta between 2018-2021. In waves 2-4, antipsychotic drug use increased in all AL communities, but in waves 3 and 4, this was more pronounced in dementia care units. Other drug type uses were similar, although gabapentinoid usage increased for dementia care residents only.

Associations between Specialized Dementia Care, COVID-19 and Central Nervous System Medication Use in Assisted Living: A Population-Based Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This cross-sectional study examined the associations between AL setting (general or memory care), COVID-19 waves, and drug use among residents with dementia in Alberta between 2018-2021. In waves 2-4, antipsychotic drug use increased in all AL communities, but in waves 3 and 4, this was more pronounced in dementia care units. Other drug type uses were similar, although gabapentinoid usage increased for dementia care residents only.

Older Adults’ Experiences of Participation in Daily Activities in Swedish Assisted Living

Nov 1, 2023
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Eleven older adults interviewed in two assisted living communities in Sweden reported their feelings regarding participation and decision-making in daily activities, such as routine personal and medical care. In a qualitative analysis, residents actively participating in these activities reported they led to feelings of happiness, connection, involvement and safety. However, the organization and work environment dictated the ability of care and nursing staff to involve residents in daily activities, a challenge of which the residents were also aware.

Older Adults’ Experiences of Participation in Daily Activities in Swedish Assisted Living

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Eleven older adults interviewed in two assisted living communities in Sweden reported their feelings regarding participation and decision-making in daily activities, such as routine personal and medical care. In a qualitative analysis, residents actively participating in these activities reported they led to feelings of happiness, connection, involvement and safety. However, the organization and work environment dictated the ability of care and nursing staff to involve residents in daily activities, a challenge of which the residents were also aware.

Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aug 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 673 family and friend caregivers of residents in AL from two Canadian provinces from Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 found that 29% had clinically significant anxiety and 39% had clinically significant depression. Caregivers who faced personal stressors such as health issues, reduced income, and lack of social support, along with concerns about residents due to COVID-19, were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Healthcare providers and assisted living staff should be aware of caregivers' mental health challenges during public health crises and provide appropriate screening and support.

Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 673 family and friend caregivers of residents in AL from two Canadian provinces from Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 found that 29% had clinically significant anxiety and 39% had clinically significant depression. Caregivers who faced personal stressors such as health issues, reduced income, and lack of social support, along with concerns about residents due to COVID-19, were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Healthcare providers and assisted living staff should be aware of caregivers’ mental health challenges during public health crises and provide appropriate screening and support.