Individual state approaches to assisted living/residential care (AL/RC) licensing and oversight in the United States result in different practice standards and requirements, including psychotropic medication use. We examined 170 psychotropic medication deficiency citations issued to 152 Oregon AL/RC settings from 2015 to 2019. Applied thematic analysis resulted in the following themes: (1) documentation issues are […]
Journal of Applied Gerontology
Depression within the First Year of Relocation to Residential Care/Assisted Living: Where You Come From Matters
Depression within the First Year of Relocation to Residential Care/Assisted Living: Where You Come From Matters
Depression is common within the first year of relocation to residential care/assisted living (RC/AL). Yet, few studies investigate the relationship between depression and relocation factors that might help identify at-risk residents, such as previous location. This study analyzed cross-sectional resident data (n = 2651) from the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities to test: (1) […]
Ethics of Health Information Sharing and Social Relationships at End of Life in Assisted Living
Ethics of Health Information Sharing and Social Relationships at End of Life in Assisted Living
Given an observed tension between perceived privacy restrictions and meaningful social connection in assisted living (AL) and using a relational perspective, we conducted a secondary thematic analysis of health information sharing practices among residents and their care partners in one large urban AL community in metropolitan Atlanta. Data included in-depth interviews with residents (n = […]
The Ethics in Long-Term Care Model: Everyday Ethics and the Unseen Moral Landscape of Assisted Living
The Ethics in Long-Term Care Model: Everyday Ethics and the Unseen Moral Landscape of Assisted Living
Assisted living (AL) communities are long-term care settings where people live, work, and visit, and where social relationships and care, including end-of-life care, are negotiated. Assisted living is fraught with uncertainty and conflict about values, especially given residents’ cognitive and physical frailty. These value-laden issues have implications for both resident and care partners’ experiences. Yet, […]
Potential Side Effects and Adverse Events of Antipsychotic Use for Residents With Dementia in Assisted Living: Implications for Prescribers, Staff, and Families
Potential Side Effects and Adverse Events of Antipsychotic Use for Residents With Dementia in Assisted Living: Implications for Prescribers, Staff, and Families
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study examined the use of antipsychotic medications among residents with dementia in 91 AL communities across seven states. The prevalence of potential side effects was high (93%) and of possible adverse events low, (6%), potentially associated with medication side effects. Quetiapine (Seroquel) and risperidone (Risperdal) were the most frequently prescribed antipsychotics. Most, but not all, residents’ family members were aware of their relative’s antipsychotic use.
Assisted Living Administrators’ Approaches to Advance Care Planning
Assisted Living Administrators’ Approaches to Advance Care Planning
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Interviews with 27 AL administrators revealed different approaches to advanced care planning (ACP). They all acknowledged the importance of ACP and often discussed topics like “do-not-resuscitate” orders when new residents arrived. Challenges included insufficient ACP training for staff and administrators and some reluctance from residents and families to discuss ACP. Most communities lacked a systematic, structured ACP approach.
Model Testing of the Factors that Influence Performance of Function Focused Care and Function among Assisted Living Residents
Model Testing of the Factors that Influence Performance of Function Focused Care and Function among Assisted Living Residents
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 550 AL residents from 59 communities found that factors such as better physical and cognitive health, positive care interactions, and supportive environments were associated with increased participation in function-focused care. Additionally, for-profit communities had higher levels of function-focused care despite having residents with lower functioning.