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.

Mental Health

Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aug 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 673 family and friend caregivers of residents in AL from two Canadian provinces from Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 found that 29% had clinically significant anxiety and 39% had clinically significant depression. Caregivers who faced personal stressors such as health issues, reduced income, and lack of social support, along with concerns about residents due to COVID-19, were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Healthcare providers and assisted living staff should be aware of caregivers' mental health challenges during public health crises and provide appropriate screening and support.

Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 673 family and friend caregivers of residents in AL from two Canadian provinces from Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 found that 29% had clinically significant anxiety and 39% had clinically significant depression. Caregivers who faced personal stressors such as health issues, reduced income, and lack of social support, along with concerns about residents due to COVID-19, were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Healthcare providers and assisted living staff should be aware of caregivers’ mental health challenges during public health crises and provide appropriate screening and support.

Interactions, Relationships and Belonging: Comparing Social Connectedness and Perceived Isolation among Older Women Living Alone in Private Homes and in Assisted Living

Jul 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This qualitative study of social connections among 16 women aged 75 and older found that those living in the community focus on feeling connected to the world at large, while those in assisted living have more casual interactions and feel like they are a part of the community. Most women in both groups did not experience perceived isolation; they had adjusted their expectations about socializing to fit their living situation.

Interactions, Relationships and Belonging: Comparing Social Connectedness and Perceived Isolation among Older Women Living Alone in Private Homes and in Assisted Living

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This qualitative study of social connections among 16 women aged 75 and older found that those living in the community focus on feeling connected to the world at large, while those in assisted living have more casual interactions and feel like they are a part of the community. Most women in both groups did not experience perceived isolation; they had adjusted their expectations about socializing to fit their living situation.

Yoga Practice as a Coping Strategy for Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Jun 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study explored how 15 residents of 4 assisted living communities used yoga as a coping strategy during and after an 8-week yoga intervention. Qualitative interviews indicated that residents found yoga helpful for relaxing, felt more energized, and that it helped connect them with others.

Yoga Practice as a Coping Strategy for Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities: A Qualitative Content Analysis

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study explored how 15 residents of 4 assisted living communities used yoga as a coping strategy during and after an 8-week yoga intervention. Qualitative interviews indicated that residents found yoga helpful for relaxing, felt more energized, and that it helped connect them with others.

“You Lose Some Good Friends”: Death and Grief in Assisted Living

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: In a qualitative study including interviews with 18 residents in 21 assisted living communities, as well as reviews of community documents and observational field notes, residents reported that staff communication and community-level memorials following residents’ death were not consistent with a “family-like” atmosphere, and residents’ grief took many forms.

“You Lose Some Good Friends”: Death and Grief in Assisted Living

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: In a qualitative study including interviews with 18 residents in 21 assisted living communities, as well as reviews of community documents and observational field notes, residents reported that staff communication and community-level memorials following residents’ death were not consistent with a “family-like” atmosphere, and residents’ grief took many forms.

Exploring the Effectiveness of Virtual Compassionate Presence Sessions in Reducing Loneliness and Isolation among Assisted-Living Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A pilot study investigated the effectiveness of virtual compassionate presence (CP) sessions in reducing loneliness and isolation among older adults in AL when facilitated by college students trained in CP. CP involves deep, attentive, and nonjudgmental listening while being fully present. Eighteen older adults participated in CP sessions over 10 weeks and were interviewed 2 months after the last session. Semi-structured interview results revealed a self-reported decrease in participants’ feelings of isolation and loneliness and an increase in overall mood.

Exploring the Effectiveness of Virtual Compassionate Presence Sessions in Reducing Loneliness and Isolation among Assisted-Living Older Adults: A Pilot Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A pilot study investigated the effectiveness of virtual compassionate presence (CP) sessions in reducing loneliness and isolation among older adults in AL when facilitated by college students trained in CP. CP involves deep, attentive, and nonjudgmental listening while being fully present. Eighteen older adults participated in CP sessions over 10 weeks and were interviewed 2 months after the last session. Semi-structured interview results revealed a self-reported decrease in participants’ feelings of isolation and loneliness and an increase in overall mood.