Background and Objectives: In conversations about expanding age-friendly ecosystems, the concept of “age-friendliness” has not been explored in relation to residential settings. Research Design and Methods: This multiple-case study compared four residents’ perspectives on the age-friendliness of a retirement and assisted living community, combining individual semi-structured interviews with observational data and organizational document analyses in […]
The Gerontologist
Admission and Discharge Practices Among Assisted Living Communities: The Role of State Regulations and Organizational Characteristics
Admission and Discharge Practices Among Assisted Living Communities: The Role of State Regulations and Organizational Characteristics
Background and Objectives: A better understanding of factors associated with assisted living admission and discharge practices can help identify communities that are more likely to allow residents to age in place. This study examined how state regulations and assisted living organizational characteristics related to community admission and discharge practices for bathing, getting out of bed, […]
A National Typology of Health Service Regulation in Assisted Living
A National Typology of Health Service Regulation in Assisted Living
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study categorized 350 assisted living state licensure types into six different types that differed by regulations about health services: housing, holistic, hybrid, hospitality, healthcare, and health support. This categorization may support consumer decision-making and improve the specificity of assisted living research and policy.
Feasibility of the Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living Intervention for Dementia Care Providers: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Feasibility of the Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living Intervention for Dementia Care Providers: A Cluster Randomized Trial
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study in Florida assessed a staff education intervention in 10 different AL communities, in which 118 AL residents with dementia participated. The intervention focused on person-centered palliative care for residents with dementia. It showed initial positive results by increasing palliative care practices, specifically advance care planning discussions and hospice admissions.
Survey Deficiencies as Quality Indicators in Oregon Assisted Living Communities
Survey Deficiencies as Quality Indicators in Oregon Assisted Living Communities
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Almost 80% of inspections from 526 assisted living communities in Oregon revealed at least one deficiency; the most common deficiency types were medications and medical treatments, monitoring changes in residents’ conditions, and health services. Characteristics associated with more deficiencies included larger size, memory care designation, shorter administrator tenure, and for-profit status. The number and likelihood of a given community receiving a deficiency decreased over the study period (2008-2016).
“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19
“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study assessed how the early COVID-19 pandemic (Feb-Aug 2020) affected 40 assisted living administrators in Oregon. Three resulting themes from the interviews were emotion and burnout management (e.g., monitoring staff reactions), information management (e.g., monitoring latest recommendations and safety protocols), and crisis management (e.g., decision-making, emergency planning).
Factors Associated With Assisted Living Facility Closure
Factors Associated With Assisted Living Facility Closure
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study analyzed almost 2,000 Florida assisted living communities to understand factors related to assisted living closure between 2013-2015. During this time, 7.3% of communities closed; those with increased odds of closing had fewer beds, did not accept Medicaid, and had more regulatory deficiencies.
Staff Reports of Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia in 250 Assisted Living Communities
Staff Reports of Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia in 250 Assisted Living Communities
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study included health care supervisors from 250 assisted living communities in 7 states to understand how staff respond to behavioral expressions of residents with dementia. The most commonly reported expressions were combativeness and anxiety. A thematic analysis found that in about 25% of cases, staff recognized the events preceding behavioral expressions (antecedents). Staff in smaller and memory-care only communities were more adept at identifying antecedents; additional training to anticipate expressions may help prevent them.
Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Being Out in the World and Negotiating Connections
Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Being Out in the World and Negotiating Connections
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This year-long study observed 33 individuals and their caregivers in 4 assisted living communities, focusing on the significance of outdoor and offsite activities for persons living with dementia. Data included 1,560 observation hours, 114 interviews with residents, staff, family, and visitors, and resident record reviews. Qualitative findings suggested that engaging with others and with nature is important for better quality of life. Most residents were able to at least occasionally go out, and those who went outdoors generally had positive experiences, but not all experiences were positive.