CEAL@UNC recognizes the benefit of ongoing quality improvement in assisted living. Numerous feasible solutions have been suggested that may improve care and outcomes in assisted living, including those in this information sheet. Feel free to utilize and distribute this information sheet among your networks to advance the well-being of the people who live and work […]
Families/Caregivers
State Regulations and Assisted Living Residents’ Potentially Burdensome Transitions at the End of Life
State Regulations and Assisted Living Residents’ Potentially Burdensome Transitions at the End of Life
Background Potentially burdensome transitions at the end of life (e.g., repeated hospitalizations toward the end of life and/or health care transitions in the last three days of life) are common among residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) residents, and are associated with lower quality of end of-life care reported by bereaved family members. We examined the association […]
Caregiver Involvement and Concerns with Care of Residents of Assisted Living Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Caregiver Involvement and Concerns with Care of Residents of Assisted Living Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A survey about AL family caregiver experiences in Western Canada was conducted before and during waves one (Mar to Jun 2020) and two (Oct 2020 to Feb 2021) of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 386 family caregivers representing 110 AL communities participated. In-person visits and caregiver involvement decreased significantly during wave one of the pandemic due to visitor restrictions. Caregivers’ concerns about their relatives significantly increased during both waves, especially when they did not feel well-informed or involved in their relative’s care.
Robots in Assisted Living Facilities: Scoping Review
Robots in Assisted Living Facilities: Scoping Review
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: There is a persisting staffing shortage in long-term care, and the use of robots in AL shows promise in relieving some staffing pressures. This systematic review found benefits of using robots to improve social interaction, emotional regulation, and fall prevention; however, some studies found barriers to robot use and inconclusive results. Overall, the quality of many of the studies was questionable, and more rigorous studies are needed to understand the impact of robots on AL staff and residents.
Well-being of professional older adults’ caregivers in Alberta’s assisted living and long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study
Well-being of professional older adults’ caregivers in Alberta’s assisted living and long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study in AL and other long-term care communities in Alberta assessed nurses’ and professional care aides’ physical, mental, and emotional health, behavior, stress, quality of life, turnover, and absenteeism. Mental and emotional health, quality of life, and stress related to turnover and absenteeism. Although 68% of caregivers reported being satisfied with their general health, they experienced heavy workloads and high stress. These issues may result in decreased job satisfaction, absenteeism, and higher turnover.
Coping Behaviors and Health Status during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Caregivers of Assisted Living Residents in Western Canada
Coping Behaviors and Health Status during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Caregivers of Assisted Living Residents in Western Canada
Objectives To examine the prevalence of coping behaviors during the first 2 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic among caregivers of assisted living residents and variation in these behaviors by caregiver gender and mental health. Design Cross-sectional and longitudinal survey. Setting and Participants Family/friend caregivers of assisted living residents in Alberta and British Columbia. Methods A […]
Caregivers’ Concerns about Assisted Living Residents’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Caregivers’ Concerns about Assisted Living Residents’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Family or friend caregivers’ concerns about assisted living (AL) residents’ mental health are reflective of poor resident and caregiver mental health. COVID-19-related visiting restrictions increased caregiver concerns, but research on these issues in AL is limited. Using web-based surveys with 673 caregivers of AL residents in Western Canada, we assessed the prevalence and correlates of […]
Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background Family and friend caregivers play significant roles in advocating for and ensuring quality health and social care of residents in Assisted Living (AL) homes. However, little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic and related visitor restrictions affected their health and mental well-being. We examined the prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depressive symptoms […]
Developing a Toolkit to Improve Resident and Family Engagement in the Safety of Assisted Living: Engage – A Stakeholder-Engaged Research Protocol
Developing a Toolkit to Improve Resident and Family Engagement in the Safety of Assisted Living: Engage – A Stakeholder-Engaged Research Protocol
Assisted living (AL) communities are experiencing rising levels of resident acuity, challenging efforts to balance person-centered care—which prioritizes personhood, autonomy, and relationship-based care practices—with efforts to keep residents safe. Safety is a broad-scale problem in AL that encompasses care concerns (e.g., abuse/neglect, medication errors, inadequate staffing, and infection management) as well as resident issues (e.g., […]
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.