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.

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Facility-Level Variation of Resident Loneliness in Assisted Living and Associated Organizational Context Factors: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

May 1, 2025
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This Canadian cross-sectional study used quarterly data (2017-2021) from the Resident Assessment Instrument - Home Care to assess AL resident loneliness and factors associated with loneliness. At the systems level, loneliness did not change during the course of pandemic, but levels did vary between communities. Factors associated with reducing loneliness at the community level include caregiver involvement, essential visitor policies, and video calls with volunteers/spiritual leaders.

Facility-Level Variation of Resident Loneliness in Assisted Living and Associated Organizational Context Factors: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This Canadian cross-sectional study used quarterly data (2017-2021) from the Resident Assessment Instrument – Home Care to assess AL resident loneliness and factors associated with loneliness. At the systems level, loneliness did not change during the course of pandemic, but levels did vary between communities. Factors associated with reducing loneliness at the community level include caregiver involvement, essential visitor policies, and video calls with volunteers/spiritual leaders.

Association Between Organizational Context and Resident Pain in Assisted Living: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Nov 1, 2024
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This repeated cross-sectional study linked survey data from COVID-19 waves 1 and 2 from 985 residents in 41 AL communities (wave 1) and 1134 residents in 42 AL communities (wave 2) to examine if organizational context was associated with resident pain. Overall pain prevalence decreased from 20.6% in wave 1 to 19.1% in wave 2, but it was non-significant.There were mixed results: better preparedness, room confinement, availability of a nurse practitioner, and staff shortages were associated with resident pain. Organizational context does therefore have an effect on resident pain, and future policy and management interventions should address these factors.

Association Between Organizational Context and Resident Pain in Assisted Living: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This repeated cross-sectional study linked survey data from COVID-19 waves 1 and 2 from 985 residents in 41 AL communities (wave 1) and 1134 residents in 42 AL communities (wave 2) to examine if organizational context was associated with resident pain. Overall pain prevalence decreased from 20.6% in wave 1 to 19.1% in wave 2, but it was non-significant.There were mixed results: better preparedness, room confinement, availability of a nurse practitioner, and staff shortages were associated with resident pain. Organizational context does therefore have an effect on resident pain, and future policy and management interventions should address these factors.