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.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

Monitoring Laboratory Parameters for Drug Toxicity in Assisted Living Facilities

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This quality improvement project focused on performing recommended laboratory tests per FDA medication labeling in a 58-bed assisted living community. Before the project, almost 60% of resident records had gaps in lab monitoring of medications, which was worsened because of COVID-19 restrictions. The project focused on close provider collaboration to ensure labs were conducted; after the project, almost 90% of residents received necessary lab tests for their medications.

Monitoring Laboratory Parameters for Drug Toxicity in Assisted Living Facilities

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This quality improvement project focused on performing recommended laboratory tests per FDA medication labeling in a 58-bed assisted living community. Before the project, almost 60% of resident records had gaps in lab monitoring of medications, which was worsened because of COVID-19 restrictions. The project focused on close provider collaboration to ensure labs were conducted; after the project, almost 90% of residents received necessary lab tests for their medications.

COVID-19 in Assisted Living: Protecting a Critical Long-Term Care Resource

Feb 16, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This literature review explores how COVID-19 created challenges for both residents and staff in assisted living by providing an overview of its impact and suggesting actions to improve outcomes. Studies showed that residents experienced a decline in their health and happiness because of infection control measures, which made them feel lonely and isolated. Staff faced problems such as staff shortages, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and dealing with emotional struggles. The article suggests solutions such as improving infection control, giving better training to staff, introducing Essential Caregiver programs, and encouraging residents to socialize more.

COVID-19 in Assisted Living: Protecting a Critical Long-Term Care Resource

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This literature review explores how COVID-19 created challenges for both residents and staff in assisted living by providing an overview of its impact and suggesting actions to improve outcomes. Studies showed that residents experienced a decline in their health and happiness because of infection control measures, which made them feel lonely and isolated. Staff faced problems such as staff shortages, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and dealing with emotional struggles. The article suggests solutions such as improving infection control, giving better training to staff, introducing Essential Caregiver programs, and encouraging residents to socialize more.

Reimagining Medical Care in Assisted Living

Feb 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Three industry-wide proposals were recommended to enhance medical care quality for AL residents: regular on-site medical visits; employing experienced professionals in long-term and end-of-life care; and the introduction of an AL medical director role to establish rules, staff qualifications, and collaboration. The researchers acknowledge that adaptations may be necessary to adhere to these recommendations due to community size and availability of resources.

Reimagining Medical Care in Assisted Living

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Three industry-wide proposals were recommended to enhance medical care quality for AL residents: regular on-site medical visits; employing experienced professionals in long-term and end-of-life care; and the introduction of an AL medical director role to establish rules, staff qualifications, and collaboration. The researchers acknowledge that adaptations may be necessary to adhere to these recommendations due to community size and availability of resources.

Implementing Large-Scale Data-Driven Quality Improvement in Assisted Living

Feb 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A quality improvement initiative implemented by 810 Wisconsin assisted living communities serving over 20,000 residents found that most communities (88%) were able to comply with membership requirements and 71% remained enrolled for more than 2 years. This model could be reproduced in other states to improve quality.

Implementing Large-Scale Data-Driven Quality Improvement in Assisted Living

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A quality improvement initiative implemented by 810 Wisconsin assisted living communities serving over 20,000 residents found that most communities (88%) were able to comply with membership requirements and 71% remained enrolled for more than 2 years. This model could be reproduced in other states to improve quality.