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.

Health Affairs

Does Assisted Living Provide Assistance And Promote Living?

May 1, 2024
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: AL communities in the United States serve more than 918,000 older adults as of 2018. In this commentary, the authors examined how workforce limitations, the complexity of regulations, consumer needs, and lack of financing contribute to negative consequences for aging in place and well-being. They suggest policy changes in those four areas, such as increased staffing, boosting wages and training, encouraging uniform data reporting, and making community disclosure statements more accessible.

Does Assisted Living Provide Assistance And Promote Living?

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: AL communities in the United States serve more than 918,000 older adults as of 2018. In this commentary, the authors examined how workforce limitations, the complexity of regulations, consumer needs, and lack of financing contribute to negative consequences for aging in place and well-being. They suggest policy changes in those four areas, such as increased staffing, boosting wages and training, encouraging uniform data reporting, and making community disclosure statements more accessible.

End-Of-Life Care In Assisted Living Communities: Race And Ethnicity, Dual Enrollment Status, And State Regulations

May 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study examined end-of-life care in assisted living – specifically whether residents died in the community or elsewhere and received hospice care -- and whether these were associated with select factors. Among 100,783 Medicare beneficiaries who died in 16,560 communities during 2018–2019, nearly 60% died in their community, with 84% receiving hospice care. Communities with more Medicare-Medicaid enrollment had more residents dying in the community, and white residents were more likely than Black ones to use hospice care. In states with less strict assisted living regulations (e.g., for dementia care, admission/retention, and staffing/training), residents were more likely to die outside of the community (e.g., in a hospital or nursing home).

End-Of-Life Care In Assisted Living Communities: Race And Ethnicity, Dual Enrollment Status, And State Regulations

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study examined end-of-life care in assisted living – specifically whether residents died in the community or elsewhere and received hospice care — and whether these were associated with select factors. Among 100,783 Medicare beneficiaries who died in 16,560 communities during 2018–2019, nearly 60% died in their community, with 84% receiving hospice care. Communities with more Medicare-Medicaid enrollment had more residents dying in the community, and white residents were more likely than Black ones to use hospice care. In states with less strict assisted living regulations (e.g., for dementia care, admission/retention, and staffing/training), residents were more likely to die outside of the community (e.g., in a hospital or nursing home).