The Drive to Reconstruct Person-Centeredness
Quality Improvement
Assisted Living Through Research, Policy, and Practice
CEAL@UNC Speaker Series
The CEAL@UNC Speaker Series invites organizations and experts committed to advancing well-being in assisted living through practice, research, and policy to present to CEAL@UNC affiliates on emerging and relevant topics. View Presentations
CEAL@UNC Speaker Series
The CEAL@UNC Speaker Series invites organizations and experts committed to advancing well-being in assisted living through practice, research, and policy to present to CEAL@UNC affiliates on emerging and relevant topics. View Presentations
Promoting and Highlighting Research in Assisted Living to Inform Practice and Policy
CEAL@UNC Strategic Advisor Presentations
CEAL@UNC regularly invites organizations and individuals committed to advancing well-being in assisted living through practice, research, and policy to present emerging and relevant topics to its Strategic Advisors. View Presentations
CEAL@UNC Strategic Advisor Presentations
CEAL@UNC regularly invites organizations and individuals committed to advancing well-being in assisted living through practice, research, and policy to present emerging and relevant topics to its Strategic Advisors. View Presentations
CEAL@UNC Guest Columns: McKnight’s Senior Living
Dr. Sheryl Zimmerman, Executive Director of CEAL@UNC, is a guest columnist for McKnight’s Senior Living. These regularly published articles reflect the perspectives of CEAL@UNC advisors, and address timely topics relevant to the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living. View Articles
CEAL@UNC Guest Columns: McKnight’s Senior Living
Dr. Sheryl Zimmerman, Executive Director of CEAL@UNC, is a guest columnist for McKnight’s Senior Living. These regularly published articles reflect the perspectives of CEAL@UNC advisors, and address timely topics relevant to the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living. View Articles
ADvancing States 2026 Aging Summit Report
2025 CEAL@UNC Research Award Summary
The National Consumer Voice 2025 Resident Report
Exploring Safety Concerns in Assisted Living Communities: A Qualitative Comparison of Resident, Family, and Staff Perspectives
This qualitative study examined safety concerns from 32 residents, 34 family caregivers, and 38 staff members of AL communities across the US. Overall, 29 safety concerns emerged, with resident condition-related falls as the most commonly cited concern. Residents and family members were more likely than staff to report prompt use of assistive devices/technology, communication, and self-care as concerns, whereas staff were more likely to report environmental-related falls as a concern.
Exploring Safety Concerns in Assisted Living Communities: A Qualitative Comparison of Resident, Family, and Staff Perspectives
This qualitative study examined safety concerns from 32 residents, 34 family caregivers, and 38 staff members of AL communities across the US. Overall, 29 safety concerns emerged, with resident condition-related falls as the most commonly cited concern. Residents and family members were more likely than staff to report prompt use of assistive devices/technology, communication, and self-care as concerns, whereas staff were more likely to report environmental-related falls as a concern.
Challenges and Possibilities in Preventing Emerging Infectious Diseases in Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
This qualitative study examined the experiences of 12 staff in Taiwanese long-term care communities related to preventing infectious disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two challenges emerged: inadequate preparation, and physical/emotional strain; and two areas for improvement emerged: ongoing education and the need for adaptive surveillance and tailored crisis response plans.
Challenges and Possibilities in Preventing Emerging Infectious Diseases in Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
This qualitative study examined the experiences of 12 staff in Taiwanese long-term care communities related to preventing infectious disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two challenges emerged: inadequate preparation, and physical/emotional strain; and two areas for improvement emerged: ongoing education and the need for adaptive surveillance and tailored crisis response plans.
Improving Fire Safety In Assisted Living
Delivering Engaging and Meaningful Activities for Older Adults in Long-Term Care Using Principles of Interpretation
This article presented new guidelines to promote more meaningful activities for long-term care residents using principles of interpretation, originating in the environmental education field. Example guidelines include activities that are "personally relatable" and "facilitate meaning."
Delivering Engaging and Meaningful Activities for Older Adults in Long-Term Care Using Principles of Interpretation
This article presented new guidelines to promote more meaningful activities for long-term care residents using principles of interpretation, originating in the environmental education field. Example guidelines include activities that are “personally relatable” and “facilitate meaning.”
Happy by Nature: Nature Connection as a Source of Psychological Well-Being in Assisted Living Facilities
This study of over 850 residents in 25 Finnish AL communities examined whether connection with nature is associated with psychological well-being and mobility. A higher nature connection score was associated with higher psychological well-being, especially for residents with poor mobility. Other findings revealed residents experience nature in different ways, and that customized access to the outdoors is a framework for the development of nature-based interventions.
Happy by Nature: Nature Connection as a Source of Psychological Well-Being in Assisted Living Facilities
This study of over 850 residents in 25 Finnish AL communities examined whether connection with nature is associated with psychological well-being and mobility. A higher nature connection score was associated with higher psychological well-being, especially for residents with poor mobility. Other findings revealed residents experience nature in different ways, and that customized access to the outdoors is a framework for the development of nature-based interventions.
Mouth Care Without a Battle: Change in Assisted Living Staff Self-Efficacy and Attitudes
This study evaluated 24 AL communities to see if the modified Mouth Care Without a Battle (MCWB) for AL improved efficacy and attitudes of staff providing mouth care. AL staff's ratings of self-efficacy and attitudes did not significantly change after MCWB training, which differs from nursing home staff in another study. This may indicate AL staff do not view mouth care as high-priority, highlighting the need to emphasize it in training and supervision.
Mouth Care Without a Battle: Change in Assisted Living Staff Self-Efficacy and Attitudes
This study evaluated 24 AL communities to see if the modified Mouth Care Without a Battle (MCWB) for AL improved efficacy and attitudes of staff providing mouth care. AL staff’s ratings of self-efficacy and attitudes did not significantly change after MCWB training, which differs from nursing home staff in another study. This may indicate AL staff do not view mouth care as high-priority, highlighting the need to emphasize it in training and supervision.
Perception of Therapeutic Music in Community Settings
This study focused on the experiences of 42 older adults relating to a live therapeutic music performance conducted in 1 Veterans Affairs Medical Center and 2 AL communities. Generally, participants enjoyed the performance and felt music was important in their lives; results indicate that customized therapeutic music could be supportive of a relaxed atmosphere.
Perception of Therapeutic Music in Community Settings
This study focused on the experiences of 42 older adults relating to a live therapeutic music performance conducted in 1 Veterans Affairs Medical Center and 2 AL communities. Generally, participants enjoyed the performance and felt music was important in their lives; results indicate that customized therapeutic music could be supportive of a relaxed atmosphere.
The Role of Aesthetics in Promoting Health-Related Quality of Life for Older Adults Transitioning to Long-Term Services and Support
This study investigated the relationship between the sense of aesthetics in the physical structure of a long-term care community and quality of life for 376 older adults recently enrolled in long-term services and supports. Increased social interaction and religious participation were positively associated with a sense of aesthetics, as was being in AL rather than nursing homes.
The Role of Aesthetics in Promoting Health-Related Quality of Life for Older Adults Transitioning to Long-Term Services and Support
This study investigated the relationship between the sense of aesthetics in the physical structure of a long-term care community and quality of life for 376 older adults recently enrolled in long-term services and supports. Increased social interaction and religious participation were positively associated with a sense of aesthetics, as was being in AL rather than nursing homes.
Person-Focused Interventions for Fall Risk Assessment, Fall Prevention and Fall Injury Prevention in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Scoping Review
This scoping review included 20 articles regarding the effects of person-focused interventions for risk assessment and prevention of falls in long-term care settings. The authors identified three types of person-focused interventions: exercise programs, multifactorial programs, and other interventions (including sensory interventions. Evidence suggests that well-designed person-focused interventions can reduce both falls and fear of falls for long-term care residents.
Person-Focused Interventions for Fall Risk Assessment, Fall Prevention and Fall Injury Prevention in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Scoping Review
This scoping review included 20 articles regarding the effects of person-focused interventions for risk assessment and prevention of falls in long-term care settings. The authors identified three types of person-focused interventions: exercise programs, multifactorial programs, and other interventions (including sensory interventions. Evidence suggests that well-designed person-focused interventions can reduce both falls and fear of falls for long-term care residents.
Denture Care in Assisted Living: Best Practices and Clinical Importance for Resident Health
This editorial discusses the implications of denture management in long-term care settings, focusing on barriers to consistent removal, the risks of continuous wear, and the nutritional consequences of poor denture fit. Strategies focusing on infection prevention, adequate nutrition, integrating tasks into routine workflows, and engaging both staff and families are presented to improve denture care.
Denture Care in Assisted Living: Best Practices and Clinical Importance for Resident Health
This editorial discusses the implications of denture management in long-term care settings, focusing on barriers to consistent removal, the risks of continuous wear, and the nutritional consequences of poor denture fit. Strategies focusing on infection prevention, adequate nutrition, integrating tasks into routine workflows, and engaging both staff and families are presented to improve denture care.
Oregon Adult Foster/Care Home Technical Assistance Webinars
Shared Risk in Assisted Living: Awakening a Sleeping Giant
Primary Palliative Care in Assisted Living and Residential Care: A Metasynthesis
This metasynthesis of 88 qualitative studies examined the provision of palliative care in residential care settings, including challenges and opportunities of providing care in these settings. Resulting themes included addressing physical symptoms, psychological distress, social isolation, and spiritual needs among residents with serious illness and highlight the important role of palliative care in improving quality of life care continuity of residents.
Primary Palliative Care in Assisted Living and Residential Care: A Metasynthesis
This metasynthesis of 88 qualitative studies examined the provision of palliative care in residential care settings, including challenges and opportunities of providing care in these settings. Resulting themes included addressing physical symptoms, psychological distress, social isolation, and spiritual needs among residents with serious illness and highlight the important role of palliative care in improving quality of life care continuity of residents.
Yearlong Evaluation of Fall Risk Determinants Among 40 Older Adults in Two Residential Assisted Living Facilities
This study examined the relationships among the physical activity, physical performance, falls, and cognitive functioning of 40 residents of 2 AL communities in Wisconsin. Up to 40% of participants had at least 1 fall in 6 months, and a significant association was found between number of falls, fear of falling, and a number of physical and cognitive measurements, offering new potential intervention points to reduce falls.
Yearlong Evaluation of Fall Risk Determinants Among 40 Older Adults in Two Residential Assisted Living Facilities
This study examined the relationships among the physical activity, physical performance, falls, and cognitive functioning of 40 residents of 2 AL communities in Wisconsin. Up to 40% of participants had at least 1 fall in 6 months, and a significant association was found between number of falls, fear of falling, and a number of physical and cognitive measurements, offering new potential intervention points to reduce falls.
Ensuring Safety in Assisted Living Facilities: A Comprehensive Risk Management Program
This editorial outlines a risk management program for AL communities based on the 5 Rs: Recognize, Rank, Respond, Report, and Review. It outlines that for successful risk management a community must first recognize potential risks, then rank them based on likelihood and impact, then respond appropriately while reporting the status of the risks, and finally regularly review risk management processes.
Ensuring Safety in Assisted Living Facilities: A Comprehensive Risk Management Program
This editorial outlines a risk management program for AL communities based on the 5 Rs: Recognize, Rank, Respond, Report, and Review. It outlines that for successful risk management a community must first recognize potential risks, then rank them based on likelihood and impact, then respond appropriately while reporting the status of the risks, and finally regularly review risk management processes.
