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.

Research in Gerontological Nursing

Empowering Family Care Partners to Optimize Delirium Care for Persons Living with Dementia

May 1, 2025
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This qualitative study interviewed twelve family care partners from an assisted living community in Virginia and a memory care clinic in Georgia to gain insight into intervention development for delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD). Themes such as education, proactive strategies, and empathetic communication emerged as relevant for improving outcomes for people with DSD. The study highlights the need for interventions targeting education and the mental and emotional needs of care partners.

Empowering Family Care Partners to Optimize Delirium Care for Persons Living with Dementia

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This qualitative study interviewed twelve family care partners from an assisted living community in Virginia and a memory care clinic in Georgia to gain insight into intervention development for delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD). Themes such as education, proactive strategies, and empathetic communication emerged as relevant for improving outcomes for people with DSD. The study highlights the need for interventions targeting education and the mental and emotional needs of care partners.

“We Weathered the Storm”: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Assisted Living Administrators during the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A qualitative study interviewing five assisted living administrators about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic found frequent changes in the administrators' experiences during the pandemic, including having limited resources and responding to rapid policy shifts.

“We Weathered the Storm”: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Assisted Living Administrators during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A qualitative study interviewing five assisted living administrators about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic found frequent changes in the administrators’ experiences during the pandemic, including having limited resources and responding to rapid policy shifts.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior of Residents in Assisted Living: A Preliminary Study

Apr 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior in assisted living residents and their relationship with a variety of outcomes. Participants included 54 residents from 8 communities, who had an average of 253 minutes of physical activity per day and 661 minutes of sedentary behavior per day. Depression related to lower activity, while use of assistive devices and fatigue related to higher sedentary behavior.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior of Residents in Assisted Living: A Preliminary Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior in assisted living residents and their relationship with a variety of outcomes. Participants included 54 residents from 8 communities, who had an average of 253 minutes of physical activity per day and 661 minutes of sedentary behavior per day. Depression related to lower activity, while use of assistive devices and fatigue related to higher sedentary behavior.